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Atlanta Falcons: How team needs were addressed in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Keanu Neal (Florida) is selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the number seventeen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Keanu Neal (Florida) is selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the number seventeen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Keanu Neal (Florida) is selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the number seventeen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Keanu Neal (Florida) is selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the number seventeen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Safety

Was Keanu Neal a ‘reach’? Honestly, I don’t care. The Falcons had good reason to believe he wouldn’t be there for them in the second round and weren’t able to find a trade partner lower in the round, so they went and grabbed the guy they liked. And I for one have no issue with it.

The Falcons needed to find help at safety and there’s a lot to like about Neal’s fit in Atlanta. He is a headhunter who makes a living for making violent hits on ball carriers. Dan Quinn will be hoping Neal can be the enforcer on defense for the Falcons like Kam Chancellor was during his time in Seattle.

Quinn likes his defense to come with attitude and pack a punch. He lives and breathes by his ‘fast and physical’ mantra which isn’t just a catchphrase, but engrained in his philosophy to build a football team.

Neal fits the bill. His coverage skills need some fine tuning, but his ability in the box against the run and when laying hits on pass catchers adds the physicality and attitude Quinn wants on his defense.

The pick was a good one, and the Falcons will be hoping they can forget about the safety position for some time now.

Next: Guard

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