Potential Safety Help for Atlanta Falcons in Second Round of NFL Draft
The Atlanta Falcons need a long-term partner for Jessie Bates at safety and can look at several options in the second round of the NFL Draft.
With all attention geared toward picking an edge rusher in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons need to address the situation at safety. While Jessie Bates continues to excel within the confines of any defense, the other safety spot desperately needs an upgrade/renovation.
Justin Simmons, an unrestricted free agent, turns 32 in November. While productive from an interception front, Simmons’s tardiness to the play continuously hurt the defense. Additionally, missing 19.8% of his tackles, the worst season of his career according to Pro Football Focus, needs addressing.
Richie Grant is a free agent, and DeMarcco Hellams has four starts to his name and is coming off an injury that cost him all of 2024.
If the Falcons don’t like the pass rushers available to them at No. 15, they could go after former Georgia Bulldogs star Malaki Starks, but there is value to be had in the second round. Mel Kiper had Starks going to the Dolphins at No. 13 in his first mock draft of the year.
Why the Second Round?
As mentioned, finding pass rush help in the first round supersedes any other positional need. The team needs talent and depth at that spot. Next, recent history lends itself to the Falcons sensibly picking an impact safety in the second round.
Third, the Falcons don’t have a third-round pick, having sent it to the New England Patriots in the Matt Judon trade during the preseason.
The Falcons tried to address the safety position in the second round in 2021 when they selected Richie Grant with the No. 40 overall pick. A premium selection for a non-premium position, Grant struggled mightily with the Falcons. The Falcons originally held the No. 35 overall pick, but traded down with the Denver Broncos.
Jevon Holland went to the Dolphins with the No. 36 pick. Ouch. Atlanta got the Broncos’ fourth-round pick in the deal and selected center Drew Dalman. Ironically, Dalman has been far more productive than Grant and running back Javonte Williams who the Broncos took at 35.
