Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons: Five options at safety in the draft

By Colin Hubbard

Nov 28, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) tackles Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Jesus Wilson (3) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida State defeated Florida 27-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) tackles Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Jesus Wilson (3) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida State defeated Florida 27-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kenyan Drake (17) runs against Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) in the first quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kenyan Drake (17) runs against Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) in the first quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Jayron Kearse

It’s no secret that Kam Chancellor is the best strong safety in the NFL and our very own Dan Quinn helped shape him into the player that he is today. Chancellor is a freak athlete with freakish size. He’s 6-foot-3, 232 pounds and that’s really hard to find these days. However, there’s someone in this draft who has the size of Chancellor and his name is Jayron Kearse.

Kearse measured in at the combine at 6-foot-4, 216 pounds and has longer arms than Chancellor. Kearse also has Chancellor in hand size as well and they both will get selected around the same time in the draft. Chancellor was taken in the fifth round while Kearse is projected to go in either the fourth or fifth. Could we have another Chancellor on our hands? It’s doubtful, but you never know.

The main difference in Kearse and Chancellor is the killer instinct. Kearse just seems to drift around on defense and doesn’t make very many plays. An NFC scout was quoted saying, “Do you draft him on traits and hope your coaches reach him?”

If Kearse can start playing more aggressive once he gets into the NFL, this is a player that could explode onto the scene and as a fourth-round pick, why not take the risk on him? However, will the Falcons wait that long to draft William Moore’s replacement? It’s highly unlikely.