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Falcons 2016 NFL Draft: Best case scenario in opening three rounds

By Freddie Boston

Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) tackles Tennessee Volunteers tight end Ethan Wolf (82) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) tackles Tennessee Volunteers tight end Ethan Wolf (82) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Round 3: OLB Deion Jones, LSU

With two of the team’s biggest needs addressed in the opening two rounds, the Falcons will still be in the hunt for a coverage linebacker. The best case scenario would be if LSU’s  Deion Jones — projected to hear his name called between Rounds 2-3 — falls to Atlanta in the third.

Jones has electric speed, great athleticism and excels in coverage. He can give chase to ball carriers from sideline to sideline, cover slot receivers and tight ends in the middle of the field and make plays on the ball.

Due to being slightly undersized for the position, Jones could fall late into day two of the draft, but he possesses all of the ‘fast and physical’ tools Dan Quinn wants on defense. We’ve heard so often that the defense needs more speed — Jones has plenty of that.

He is an effective run defender but does his best work in coverage, something the Atlanta defense is crying out for.

Next: Five players for Falcons to avoid in draft

With the three selections made in this best case scenario mock, how would the defense be improved entering 2016?

Vic Beasley would be paired with Noah Spence to improve the pass rush, Keanu Neal would join Ricardo Allen, Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford to strengthen the secondary, and Deion Jones would be a welcomed addition to the revamped linebacking corps featuring recent free agent acquisition Courtney Upshaw.