Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons select LB Deion Jones in second round of 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) tackles Texas A&M Aggies running back James White (20) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) tackles Texas A&M Aggies running back James White (20) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Atlanta Falcons traded down to select linebacker Deion Jones in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

With their second selection of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected LSU linebacker Deion Jones. You want speed on defense? Jones provides that.

The Atlanta Falcons moved back two spots in the draft with the Houston Texans, recouping an additional sixth-rounder in the process.

Here’s what NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about Jones:

"“Three-down linebacker prospect with outstanding athleticism and a willing, aggressive mindset for the position. Jones lacks the playing experience that most linebackers in this draft will have so he might need a year of tutelage on the NFL level to help him expedite his learning curve. Jones could be a fit at ILB for a 3-4 team or as an outside linebacker in a 4­-3.”"

This selection follows first-round pick Keanu Neal, a safety out of Florida. Neal is a violent hitter who does his best work in the box. He will offer plenty as a run-stuffer and can be an enforcer in the defensive backfield. Dan Quinn has been searching for his Kam Chancellor on defense for Atlanta, and Neal can be the guy to do just that.

Teams spend at least 60 percent of the time in nickel packages nowadays, so it’s hardly surprising to see more of an emphasis go on defensive backs like Neal.

Some had a second-round grade on Neal, but he was clearly top of the Falcons’ board and they didn’t believe he would be available to them later on. They simply went and got their guy, and should be applauded for that. Rebuilding this defense is a process, it won’t happen overnight.

It’s been a busy offseason for the Falcons so far. We’ve already seen center Alex Mack, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, defensive lineman Derrick Shelby and linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Sean Weatherspoon come to town. The roster is getting stronger.

What are your thoughts on Deion Jones?