The Atlanta Falcons started out the 2015 season at 5-0. However, a 3-8 finish down the stretch ended any chance the team had at clinching their first playoff appearance since 2012. The Falcons have the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The team can go in a lot of directions, but should select this player…
How close are the Atlanta Falcons from the playoffs and challenging the defending NFC South Champion Carolina Panthers? Some may say close and point out to their 5-0 start to the season. They also ended Cam Newton’s undefeated season in Week 16.
Others may look at their 3-8 finish down the stretch of the season, which included a sweep by the hands of a rookie quarterback in Jameis Winston and the Bucs, and a loss to Blaine Gabbert and the 49ers.
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The Falcons entered free agency with needs at wide receiver, along the offensive line, and on defense. The team has signed Mohamed Sanu from the Bengals, and solidified the center position with the acquisition of Pro Bowl center Alex Mack. Though the front seven on defense could be improved, the Falcons desperately need to upgrade the safety position after the loss of veteran William Moore.
So who could the Falcons take at 17?
Let me introduce you to Karl Joseph.
Draft expert Mike Mayock of NFL.com has the West Virginia defensive back as his top safety in the 2016 draft.
Unfortunately, Joseph’s collegiate career came to an abrupt end in October as he tore his ACL in his knee. However, he still managed to haul in five interceptions in only four games. Yes, that’s five in four games!
Joseph burst onto the scene as a freshman for the Mountaineers. Joseph led the team in tackles, interceptions, and forced fumbles in route to freshman All-American honors and the Mountaineers Defensive Player of the Year.
He would earn all-conference honors his sophomore and junior season, as he compiled 150 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Joseph also set the school record for forced fumbles (stats retrieved via Todd Davis of NBCDFW.com).
Though he is a bit undersized at 5’10, 205 pounds, Joseph is not afraid to come up and hit you, as evident here…
Joseph has excellent quickness and closing speed. He’s a freight train moving down hill. However, that can negatively impact his game.
Jonah Tuls of Draft Wire said this about Joseph back in early February,
"“Joseph’s aggressiveness and physical nature are two of his most prized possessions on tape, but they are also two of his most poisonous peculiarities in that he will become “overaggressive” and take undisciplined, poor routes to the football.”"
Nevertheless, Joseph has excellent ball skills and is effective in both zone and man coverage. His blood-thirsty mentality make him a special player and the hardest hitter in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Falcons need that kind of enforcer at the safety position.
Joseph’s ball-hawking, ball skills, and feisty competitiveness allow him to have the ability to play linebacker and cornerback in addition to safety.
Provided his knee checks out, Joseph will be an instant starter and make an immediate impact for the Atlanta Falcons.
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The Falcons are set at cornerback with Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, and Jalen Collins. Joseph will give Atlanta one of the better young secondaries in the league and a secondary that can compete with Cam Newton, Drew Brees, and Jameis Winston.