Kendall Sheffield is part of a larger picture in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos — by playing in the NFL's annual Hall of Fame Game on August 1 — are the two NFL teams who will play five (not four) preseason games this year.

Coming into the HOF Game, all eyes were on the rookie offensive linemen for the Falcons, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary. Unfortunately, McGary was unable to play due to a heart procedure he received a couple of days before the game.

Along with the offensive linemen, the focus also shifted to the quarterback competition between Matt Schaub and undrafted rookie Kurt Benkert. Unfortunately, Benkert suffered a toe injury after he impressed with 185 yards and a touchdown, completing 19 of 34 passing attempts.

Aside from his contributions, the offense was stagnant, but that shouldn't worry Falcons fans. In the regular season, Atlanta will have Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, and Calvin Ridley. None of those guys received much playing time in the Falcons' preseason opener.

Heading into the second week, who is an underrated rookie to watch for the Falcons? How about Kendall Sheffield, the cornerback out of Ohio State.

The Falcons drafted Sheffield in the fourth round of this year's draft. The Falcons hope to develop him into a future starter. Currently, Sheffield is the team's fourth or fifth cornerback on the depth chart.

Atlanta will start Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver at the position. Those two seem like the only two who are secure at their positions. Behind them, Damontae Kazee, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, and Sheffield are trying to earn notable roles in the secondary.

In the Falcons' first exhibition game against the Broncos last week, Sheffield impressed with four tackles and a forced fumble. At 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Sheffield isn't afraid to stick his nose in and make a tackle in the running game.

Coming into the draft, Sheffield was regarded as a raw prospect, specifically as a man and zone coverage corner. However, Sheffield's top-tier speed makes him someone who has the potential to be a productive piece to the secondary in the future. Atlanta certainly needs the reinforcements in a division shared by Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, and coach Bruce Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who might make the Bucs' passing game a lot more formidable in 2019 and beyond.

In college, Sheffield collected 75 combined tackles, 15 deflections, and two interceptions in his two seasons at Ohio State. It helps Sheffield that he played in a competitive conference such as the Big-Ten.

Now, he'll need to adjust to the opposition in the NFC South. Defending guys like Brees and Newton is different from defending a college quarterback. He'll learn that truth — in all its dimensions — early in his NFL career, when he faces top-tier quarterbacks in 2019.

Above all, playing physical defense is Dan Quinn's mantra in Atlanta. Sheffield could improve his chances by exuding toughness. Along with that, Atlanta wants to see Sheffield show some improvements in coverage as well.

On Thursday, when the Falcons take on the Miami Dolphins, Sheffield will likely get a decent amount of reps. The Falcons have a few rookies to pay attention to, but Sheffield is the one to watch closely as the preseason progresses.