It’s a bad week to play safety in the National Football League. Some of the best players at the position, including Justin Simmons, Jordan Poyer and Kevin Byard, have been released over the last few days as teams look to create cap space before the start of the new league year.
Even former Falcons safety Keanu Neal lost his job on Thursday morning. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers released Neal after a failed physical:
Steelers announced they released S Keanu Neal with the designation of Failed Physical.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2024
Neal, 28, was drafted by the Falcons in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. His career got off to a promising, making the Pro Bowl in 2017 before suffering brutal injuries in 2018 and 2019. Neal first tore his ACL, then his Achilles tendon in consecutive seasons.
Atlanta eventually parted ways with Neal in 2021 and he would go on to play for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers over the next three seasons.
The Falcons could in the market for a safety this offseason and there are some intriguing options. Have a look at some of the top available names below.
Safeties recently added to the free agent market:
🏈Justin Simmons
🏈Jordan Poyer
🏈Jamal Adams
🏈Kevin Byard
🏈Quandre Diggs
🏈Rayshawn Jenkins
🏈Eddie Jackson https://t.co/k9V30JNc2x— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2024