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Atlanta Falcons: Five potential safeties from 2016 NFL Draft

By Eric Robinson

Sep 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Deon Bush (2) tackles Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback Fredi Knighten (9) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Deon Bush (2) tackles Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback Fredi Knighten (9) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Miami Hurricanes defender Deon Bush (2) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) who fumbles in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Miami recovered the fumble. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Miami Hurricanes defender Deon Bush (2) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) who fumbles in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Miami recovered the fumble. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

With only a handful of draft picks, the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft is critical on the offseason checklist for the Atlanta Falcons. Based on the sixth round pick traded to Tennessee for G Andy Levitre and the fifth rounder taken away due to the “Noisegate” punishment, the picks have to be precise.

The safety position more than likely will get addressed in the offseason. SS William Moore has been injury prone and some feel it may be time to upgrade the position. First year starter Ricardo Allen has been “ok” for the most part and some feel he may not be the long term answer. The story of Allen is a great one as he was sort of a miscast under former coach Mike Smith.

I understand why some may want to keep him and I do as well but as a long term fit, Allen hasn’t shown much to solidify the position for the next eight or nine wins. In a league where safety play is more vital then ever, the 4-3 “under” defense requires safeties who show versatility as well as discipline and sharp football IQ.

Safeties Jayron Kearse and Jeremy Cash are at the top of the wish list for safeties. We can add S’ua Cravens as he is a hybrid safety/weakside linebacker. Those three athletes are excluded from the list.  Here is a list of potential safeties that coach Dan Quinn could select to upgrade the secondary in the case that Kearse, Cash, Cravens are off the board.

Next: A free safety