Atlanta Falcons 2016 NFL Draft Grades

Morgan Epstein grades the Atlanta Falcons 2016 NFL Draft. Does Atlanta have a bright future after drafting Keanu Neal with the seventeenth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft?

17. Keanu Neal, SS, Florida A Grade

The Falcons needed a starting safety. This felt like a reach, but Neal has made outstanding progress with the Falcons.

Neal has the versatility to play both safety positions. Neal is someone Atlanta could have drafted in the first, second, or third round. The bottom line is Atlanta got an immediate starter.

52. Deion Jones, ROLB, LSU A+ Grade

Deion Jones had over 100 tackles in 2015. Jones has the versatility to start at any of the 4-3 linebacker roles. Atlanta will make Jones a 4-3 right outside linebacker which was his natural position at LSU. Jones will start right away so I love this pick by the Falcons in the second round.

81. Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford A- Grade

Austin Hooper is competing with Jacob Tamme and Levine Toilolo for the Falcons starting tight end job. Hooper was the top tight end in the draft so you can argue this was a great pick.

115. De'Vondre Campbell, LOLB, Minnesota D Grade

De'Vondre Campbell is a fourth string left outside linebacker on the Falcons depth chart. This felt like a wasted pick by the Falcons.

195. Wes Schweitzer, LG, San Jose State B Grade

Wes Schweitzer was a starting left tackle at San Jose State. He will be a backup left guard in Atlanta.

238. Devin Fuller, WR, UCLA C Grade

Devin Fuller has a chance to play special teams. That's why this was a solid pick.

Atlanta Falcons Team Grade: A- Grade

Atlanta only had 6 picks. They got two starters in the first two rounds though and Thomas Dimitroff put together another great draft for the Falcons which is why they got an A- grade here.