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The Falcons selected Neal in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, 17th overall.

The Falcons selected Neal in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, 17th overall.

Analysis:

Although Jalen Ramsey was the clearly top defensive back more generally, consensus seemed fairly evenly split on the question of whether it was Neal or Karl Joseph who was the top pure safety in the draft otherwise. The two ended up going within three picks of each other. Neal was the enforcer on a tough 2015 Florida defense, finishing with 96 tackles and an interception in 12 games. Neal should push for a three-down role right away in Atlanta, and he'll be a major IDP consideration whenever that occurs.

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