Defense was a big disappointment last year and injuries also played a role in the second half collapse. The front office has used the Draft this past weekend to add some much-needed depth and speed, but many experts believe they reached on their early picks, a move that could hurt the team’s development.
There’s no doubt the secondary needs help and with their first round pick the front office took Florida safety Keanu Neal, a big-hitting strong safety that will help in coverage against tight ends and help in stopping opposing running backs.
The big issue is Neal was graded in the second or third round by several experts and has never shown good footwork in pass coverage, but his tackling ability and size will make him an instant starter and with some good coaching, he could become a Kam Chancellor prototype.
LSU linebacker Deion Jones was taken in the second round with the 52nd overall selection. Jones started just one season with the Tigers, but his speed and athleticism is a huge plus, especially for a unit that lacked attacking type players on the defensive side of the ball.
Atlanta made a solid pick in round three, taking Stanford tight end Austin Hooper. The youngster will give the offense a big receiving threat in the red zone, but he wasn’t asked to block much in the running game in college and could struggle to become an every down player early in his career.
The front office add more speed with linebacker De’Vandre Campbell in the fifth round and wide receiver Devin Fuller in the seventh and while both players will struggle to see much playing time in 2016, this group of players are just what this team needs to improve.
While the front office didn’t add a great group of talent, they filled needs, giving the Falcons a B- grade, but if their top two picks play to the level the franchise wants, that grade could improve within the next two years.
