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Atlanta Falcons: Five potential 2016 second-round picks

By Colin Hubbard

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2) Darian Thompson – SS – Boise State

Sep 6, 2014; Boise, ID, USA; Colorado State Rams wide receiver Kyle Plum (26) is taken down by Boise State Broncos safety Darian Thompson (4) during the first quarter verses the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Boise, ID, USA; Colorado State Rams wide receiver Kyle Plum (26) is taken down by Boise State Broncos safety Darian Thompson (4) during the first quarter verses the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /

Darian Thompson is one of the highest rated safeties in this years’ draft and would be an excellent fit in the Atlanta Falcons’ secondary. We all know that Atlanta has a huge hole to fill at their strong safety position and a guy like Thompson would be the day-1 starter from the jump.

Thompson is a ball-hawk and playmaker. He’s a guy that you can load in the box and help in the run game and is a guy that is a great tackler and can lay a hit on the best of them. He didn’t run the best 40-yard dash time at just 4.69 but speed isn’t everything in the NFL.

Thompson had 19 interceptions in four seasons with the Broncos and put in a monstrous display at the 2016 senior bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Thompson knows how to find the ball and succeeds more times than not. He’s a risk taker but that’s what you need. You need a guy that isn’t afraid to go up and make a play for the ball and that’s Thompson in a nutshell.

Will he still be on the board at pick 50? Who knows, but there’s a decent shot that he is due to his so-so 40-yard dash. Him running a little slower than expected at the combine may be perfect for the Falcons.