Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Five Atlanta Falcons who could see expanded roles in 2016

By Colin Hubbard

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next

5) Kemal Ishmael – SS

Sep 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kemal Ishmael (36) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kemal Ishmael (36) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Kemal Ishmael was never supposed to see extensive time in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons threw their seventh-round pick on him back in the 2013 draft and he was able to work his way up the depth chart and here he is today.

Ishmael made a name for himself in 2014 when he took over the strong safety starting role after William Moore went down with injury. Ishmael is best known for a pick 6 against in the Falcons’ 56-14 blowout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 3 of that season.

Ishmael was a bench warmer to start the 2015 season. He saw just six snaps through the teams’ first three games but his playing time picked way up in the middle part of the season when Moore missed two games. Moore also missed the last three games of the year which put Ishmael on the field on nearly every down. All-in-all, Ishmael played 375 snaps while Moore played 505.

The Falcons currently do not have a starting strong safety other than Ishmael on the roster. Atlanta cut Moore which leaves a big hole to fill at the position. it appears that the Falcons will address the position in the draft but even if they do, you should still expect to see Ishmael on the field a decent amount in 2015. Expect somewhere around 400 snaps for the 4-year man.

Home/Atlanta Falcons News