Falcons: 3 Keanu Neal replacements in 2021 NFL Draft

Round 3 option: Richie Grant, UCF

Just like there is no safety value in the first round for the Falcons (or really as a whole), there are not many other players that can be valued with the team’s 35th overall selection. Because of that, the Falcons will likely look to fill other positions instead of force a need if Moehrig is not available.

However, get to the third round and the value gets much better for the safety class. Among some of the potential candidates, UCF’s Richie Grant stands out as a potential impact player at the position. Grant is a four-year starter for the UCF program and filled the stat sheet during his time, both with tackles and ball production. Grant built on that success with a good senior bowl week in late January.

The Knights played Grant in a variety of roles during his time with the program, including as a deep single-high safety, split zones, man coverage from the slot, and occasionally as a box safety. However, projecting forward his best role looks to be as a free safety. Grant has good size and length for the position, which helps him in coverage and has translated nicely to making an impact on the ball, whether that be with interceptions or pass breakups.

Grant’s draft outlook and value are not consistent depending on the analyst you talk to, but he does show some high-impact traits and if he can harness in on correcting the mental lapses, and becoming more balanced and consistent in his tackling then he brings starter upside to a team.