Atlanta Falcons full 2016 NFL Draft picks

We have a full list of who the Atlanta Falcons selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Here is who General Manager Thomas Dimitroff selected:

• Round 1, (17), Keanu Neal, S, Florida
• Round 2, (52), Deion Jones, LB, LSU
• Round 3, (81), Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
• Round 4, (115), De’Vondre Campbell, LB, Minnesota
• Round 6, (195), Wes Schweitzer, G, San Jose State
• Round 7, (238), Devin Fuller, WR UCLA

The Falcons are in an important time after blowing a 5-0 start to finish 8-8 and out of the playoffs. Defense and toughness were really needed and that is exactly how they handled their first two rounds.

Keanu Neal looked like a reach at the time, but what they got is the hardest hitting safety in college football. Neal can play the Kam Chancellor role in the Dan Quinn defense that he brought over from Seattle. He played a role similar to that in college, and has some ironing out to do, specifically with missing tackles, but if he can figure it out he will be a major addition to the defense.

Deion Jones is another player who some saw as a slight reach due to him being undersized, but he is a football player. Jones is extremely fast for a linebacker, but despite being small and fast loves to punish in the run game. He should fit perfectly in this defense, and should be looked at as a starter as an off-ball linebacker.

Hooper is a strong pick and has a chance to contribute immediately. It seems as though the Falcons have been trying forever to find a tight end, and may have a young one with plenty of potential here.

The last three picks should be looked at as potential projects, and Campbell especially should contribute immediately on special teams. Overall it was nice to see the Falcons hit needs with their first three picks and did not care whether it was a small reach or not, as they took the guys they believed in.

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