Atlanta Falcons: Five 2016 mid-round draft steals

Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) runs the ball for a touchdown after an interception during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

3. DB Eddie Jackson

Every GM will be searching for a ball-hawking safety to help stabilize those weak zones that are in every NFL defense. Usually, players like Eddie Jackson are seen as an immediate answer that results in most being over-drafted.

Alabama has no issue placing defensive players in the NFL, and Jackson will be no different than the ones who have gone before him. He has incredible vision and is always around the ball at all times, and, if a quarterback is not careful, they may see him taking it the other way for six.

His physicality does raise a little issue which may make him float down the draft boards a little with some teams, but there is no question that this player is a superb talent that will cause envy from every other team as they wish they had taken a chance on Jackson and taken him.

The Falcons have a young secondary, but the aging William Moore presents a conundrum where they must be ready to address the issue if one of the best safeties in franchise history begins to possibly suit up in his last few years for the Falcons, and Jackson will be an incredible stop-gap player who will fill the void nicely if “Willy-Mo” is out.

Next: No. 2