Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams thought he should have been selected sooner than the seventh round of the NFL Draft in April. Maybe he was right.

During the first series of his first preseason game with Atlanta on Friday night, Hellams got his first tackle when he brought down Miami Dolphins wide receiver River Cracraft at the Falcons 15-yard line.

On the next snap, Hellams got his second tackle on a rushing attempt by running back Myles Gaskins.

And on the next snap, Hellams intercepted Miami quarterback Mike White in the end zone. Hellams returned the interception 15 yards to the Atlanta 13.

Well, Falcons coach Arthur Smith had said on Saturday that he was “really excited” to see Hellams play in the preseason opener.

Hellams is seeking to stick on a roster already well-stocked at safety. The Falcons return 2022 starters Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins at the back of the secondary and signed safety Jessie Bates III away from the Cincinnati Bengals with a four-year, $64.02 million contract in March.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.