Atlanta Falcons: Early top positions of need for 2021 NFL Draft
By Kyle Edmond
Atlanta Falcons 2021 NFL Draft Need #3 – Safety
Surprisingly, the 2020 season has been better than the 2019 season for the Falcons’ safety unit. Overall, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen have had better luck, but they are still part of a unit that is considered the worst passing defense in the NFL. However, not everyone has had that luck with Damontae Kazee currently on injured reserve.
Like the other positions mentioned so far, safety could also be reset in the free agency market. Both Neal and Kazee could become free agents as well as Sharrod Neasman who has been a depth player at the position this season. If all three players leave, the Falcons would be left with just Allen and 2020 fourth-round pick Jaylinn Hawkins as safeties on the roster.
Even if all the players that could become free agents return, the Falcons should still consider taking a safety at some point during the 2021 NFL Draft. They have struggled against the pass and the NFL is trending towards teams needing to have around six defensive backs on the field more times than not.
Having depth at the safety position would allow for more substitutions and fresh legs on the field in a league where speed on the offensive side of the ball is being emphasized.