Fansided
Fansided

Atlanta Falcons find undrafted gem in DB Sharrod Neasman

By Sayre Bedinger

Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end Jake McGee (83) runs past Florida Atlantic Owls defensive back Sharrod Neasman (29) and defensive back Alfred Ansley (28) and scores the game winning touchdown during overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end Jake McGee (83) runs past Florida Atlantic Owls defensive back Sharrod Neasman (29) and defensive back Alfred Ansley (28) and scores the game winning touchdown during overtime against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Atlanta Falcons drafted safety Keanu Neal in the first round, but undrafted DB Sharrod Neasman could become an impact player for this team…

The Atlanta Falcons have invested some premium assets in their secondary since 2013, and this offseason may have found a diamond in the rough to contribute in the defensive backfield. Former Florida Atlantic star defensive back Sharrod Neasman was signed after the draft, and brings a lot of versatility and intrigue to a unit that just added first round pick Keanu Neal at safety. Let’s take a closer look…

Neasman is a former walk-on at Florida Atlantic who developed into a team captain and one of the most versatile players on the team. He played and excelled at both nickel cornerback and safety, and that kind of positional flexibility is going to get him plenty of chances at the next level to make an impact.

He has a very interesting build at 5-11, 206 pounds, so he’s built more like a safety than a corner but he does a good job of flipping his hips in coverage and he has great strength (25 bench press reps at 225 pounds) to press smaller receivers in the slot.

Despite running a 4.68 in the 40, Neasman showed off his athleticism with a 37-inch vertical jump, 10’8″ broad jump, and a 6.78 three cone time. Those numbers indicate great explosion and short area quickness.

You can see that on tape as well. Neasman isn’t the type of player you want on the perimeter, playing against some of the best deep threats in the league, but he plays the ball really well in the air, has good instincts, and while he isn’t the hardest hitter, he tackles well and can make plays behind the line of scrimmage.

More from NFL Mocks

Atlanta has added some really good young defensive backs the last few years, and Neasman could figure into the rotation as a nickel corner or safety in certain situations. His ability to attack the football also leads me to believe he would be an excellent contributor on special teams.

We’ll get a really good look at Neasman and updates on his development as the offseason progresses, but he’s an interesting prospect to me and one that I think could be a really underrated addition to this young Falcons secondary. He doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s a great athlete otherwise, and he is capable of playing a number of different positions to try and make an impact.

Even if he gets his first look on the practice squad, this is a player worth investing in and someone that I think could be an undrafted gem.

Home/NFL Draft