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Expect the Atlanta Falcons to draft a safety in the second round

By Colin Hubbard

Sep 12, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; Liberty Flames running back D.J. Abnar (2) and West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph exchange words after a play during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; Liberty Flames running back D.J. Abnar (2) and West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph exchange words after a play during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Round two appears to be the round that the Atlanta Falcons will draft a safety

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to draft very heavily on the defensive side of the ball this year. They could look at just about every position on the defense but there are a few that will get extra attention.

One of those positions will be strong safety. the Falcons currently have just one strong safety on the roster and that’s a big issue. If the season started tomorrow, the Falcons would be starting Kemal Ishmael so at the very least they need to bring in someone for him to split reps with.

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What the Falcons will do with their first-round pick is still a complete mystery but one thing is for certain. They will not address the safety position in round one. Why? Because there aren’t any that are projected to go anywhere around where the Falcons will be picking at 17. The Falcons will likely wait until the second round to go out and nab their future safety.

Why the second round? Well, because that’s where the majority of the safeties are projected to fall. Some names that the Falcons could take are Keanu Neal, Karl Joseph or maybe even Su’a Cravens. It just all depends on who is still on the board and whether or not they decide to trade down to the end of the second round.

It makes a lot of sense to go ahead and take the safety with their second-round pick. Their first-round pick will likely be used on the best player available at either the outside linebacker position or at defensive end. With their biggest need out of the way, they will be able to turn their attention to the second biggest need, the safety position.

Neal appears to be the best option at this time. He’s familiar with Dan Quinn and would fit in beautifully on the Falcons’ defense. He’s excellent as a box safety but can also hold his own in coverage. He’s extremely aggressive and possesses all of the tools needed to succeed in the NFL.

Joseph would rank behind Neal not because of talent, but because of his injury history. Joseph is the best safety in the draft as far as talent goes, but he is coming off of a knee injury and that’s always a gamble. But, if the Falcons feel as if his knee won’t be an issue, they would take him over Neal for the shore fact that he’s a better player.

Cravens is an extremely interesting prospect. He’s a hybrid linebacker that can play strong safety if needed. He’s super athletic and would act like a box safety. Is he Kam Chancellor? Absolutely not but he could be a player such as Shaq Thompson of the Carolina Panthers. He’s a rangy linebacker that can hit hard. What’s not to like?

Next: Five options at safety in the draft for the Atlanta Falcons

It’s ultimately up to Thomas Dimitroff on who he wants, but there’s a very good chance that one of the safeties in this years’ draft is taken by the Falcons in round two.