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Atlanta Falcons: To draft, not to draft prospects with red flags

By Freddie Boston

Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) signals in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) signals in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 7, 2015; Canton, OH, USA; General view of 2015 NFL draft selection cards of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Jameis Winston), Tennessee Titans (Marcus Mariota) and Jacksonville Jaguars (Dante Fowler). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2015; Canton, OH, USA; General view of 2015 NFL draft selection cards of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Jameis Winston), Tennessee Titans (Marcus Mariota) and Jacksonville Jaguars (Dante Fowler). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Every year there are a number of talented prospects clouded by their off-the-field issues. The 2016 NFL Draft is no different.

On talent alone this prospect would be a surefire top-15 draft pick — statements like this are heard every year in draft season. There’s always a select few prospects who have all the potential in the world and are deserving of an early selection, but red flags off the field hurt their stock and put a giant question mark next to their name.

NFL teams study a player’s background in detail and get an idea of their personality at the combine and pre-draft visits. Often they will interview a prospect they like, not to get the information they need, but rather to see how honest they are when recounting their version of the story.

It’s not always off-the-field issues that concern teams, however. Injuries can also make general managers cringe. Todd Gurley entered last year’s draft with a torn ACL but the St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles) were still willing to take a chance on him at No. 10. So far, so good for Gurley.

Of these three talented prospects with red flags, who should the Atlanta Falcons be willing to draft?

Next: A dominant defensive tackle