Tag: Richie Grant

Falcons sign second-round pick safety Richie Grant

The Atlanta Falcons’ 2021 draft class is just one player away from being completely under contract after the team signed second-round pick Richie Grant on Friday morning.

The Atlanta Falcons’ 2021 draft class is just one player away from being completely under contract after the team signed second-round pick Richie Grant on Friday morning. Grant played at the University of Central Florida and is expected to compete for a starting safety job right away.

In 2020, Grant recorded 73 tackles, one sack, one quarterback hurry and three interceptions. The Golden Knights safety excels diagnosing offenses and has a fearlessness when tackling that Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees will love. Grant should provide leadership in Atlanta’s secondary for years to come.

The Falcons have signed eight of their nine draft picks. The only  remaining selection is first-round pick Kyle Pitts, who should be signing very soon.

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Was Kyle Pitts the Falcons’ top draft choice all along?

After the 49ers selected Trey Lance with the No. 3 pick, it was fairly evident that if the Falcons didn’t receive any enticing trade offers, they were staying at No. 4 and selecting Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.

After the 49ers selected Trey Lance with the No. 3 pick in the draft, it was fairly obvious that if the Falcons didn’t receive any enticing trade offers, they were staying at No. 4 and selecting Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. NFL scouts and analysts have since raved over the the selection of Pitts and the team’s draft class in its entirety.

But if the 49ers had not selected Lance, would Atlanta have taken the North Dakota State QB over Pitts?

We have previously seen clips of the Falcons draft room after they selected Pitts and while conducting a trade with the Denver Broncos in the second round. However, a Twitter account named “NFL Updates” released a video clip of Atlanta’s war room prior to the team being on the clock, highlighting their reaction to the 49ers selecting Lance.

The excitement coming from the Falcons war room doesn’t necessarily stem from the 49ers taking a quarterback, because that was always the plan. When a team trades up from No. 12 to No. 3, it will almost always be for a quarterback. The pseudo-excitement in the Falcons’ war room only comes from an interaction between Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith.

Once it was revealed who the 49ers were selecting, Fontenot and Smith joked in excitement citing Smith’s internal prediction from over a month ago.

“You called it a month ago,” stated Fontenot as he pats the back of the Falcons head coach, both smiling. Falcons owner Arthur Blank can even be heard echoing Fontenot’s comments.

So could this mean that the Falcons walked into the war room on draft night with Kyle Pitts as their number one option?

It’s probable. Every team, especially the ones picking in the top five, have clear plans for the different potential draft outcomes. Speculation was rampant leading up to the draft, but looking at how things unfolded, it does seem like the Falcons got their guy in Pitts.

As we all know, though, there is no way Fontenot, or any Falcons leadership, would publicly say they wanted any player other than Pitts.

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Atlanta Falcons 2021 draft pick profile: S Richie Grant

The Atlanta Falcons took a versatile starting safety after a trade down to No. 40 overall with the selection of Richie Grant from UCF.

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The Atlanta Falcons took a versatile starting safety after a trade down to No. 40 overall with the selection of Richie Grant from the University of Central Florida. He profiles well to a starting safety role in Dean Pees’ defense and should fit in perfectly in the locker room. Atlanta got a first-round value at the top of the second round.

Athletic Testing and Athletic Comparison

Stats and Awards

2020: 9 Games Played, 72 Tackles, 3.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 1 QB Hurry, 3 Interceptions, 2 Fumbles Forced, 6 Pass Deflections, First-Team All-AAC

2019: 13 Games Played, 78 Tackles, 4.0 Tackles for Loss, 1 Interception, 8 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown, First-Team All-AAC

2018: 13 Games Played, 109 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 6 Interceptions, 3 Fumbles Forced, 3 Pass Deflections, 1 Punt Return, 13 Yards, First-Team All-AAC

2017: 13 Games Played, 32 Tackles, 1.0 Tackle for Loss, 1 Fumble Forced, 2 Pass Deflections, 4 Kick Returns, 75 Yards

2016: Redshirted

Highlights vs. Cincinnati

https://youtu.be/TtJRgN0GnaU

How does Grant fit on the field?

Richie Grant can do it all. He’s a deep-third safety who can win with instincts and athleticism while aligned deep. He makes all the calls and has the on-field leadership the Falcons lost when Ricardo Allen left. He reads offenses well and understands his keys even pre-snap. His range is unmatched in the draft and the Falcons can use him at either free or strong safety.

Grant is one of the best tacklers in the draft, and as long as his angles are good, he can take down anyone. He’s also able to stick guys the way Keanu Neal used to. He’s a true all-around safety who can also blitz from the third level if he is told to. He has great special teams potential with how he’s willing to run downfield and smack someone.

How does Grant fit off the field?

The Falcons are missing leadership and competitiveness in the back end of the defense. Grant brings that in spades. He’s aggressive when he hits people. He’s ornery when he goes after the ball. Grant plays the game with a level of aggression and is someone who’s going to get after it, make all the calls, and be that third-level leader the Falcons need.

Why Grant instead of Azeez Ojulari or Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah?

Atlanta has guys who can rotate in for the pass rush, and Owusu-Koramoah has some issues with fit in an NFL scheme. Grant is a perfect fit for Dean Pees’ scheme, so the Falcons taking the Golden Knight just made too much sense. Grant was the best scheme fit for the Falcons’ defense in the 2021 draft much like how Keanu Neal was the best in 2016.

Overview

NFL Stylistic Comparison/Best Case Scenario: Brian Dawkins

This is a comparison that’s coming from Football Gameplan and CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt. And honestly, it’s tough to argue with. Grant will bring toughness, leadership, and intelligence to a Falcons defense that is losing a lot of all three with the losses of Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen. This gives them a true long-term answer at the safety position.

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2021 NFL draft: Which positions should the Panthers address on Day 2?

Here are three positions Carolina might need to address on Day 2.

The Panthers’ cornerback room is starting to look strong after the additions of A.J. Bouye and Rashaan Melvin in free agency and Jaycee Horn getting the call in round one of the draft.

This team still has holes at other high-impact positions, though. Here are three positions Carolina might need to address on Day 2.

Offensive line (left tackle)

The Panthers passed on a QB at No. 8 and exercised Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option this morning, making his QB1 status official. If Darnold is going to take that next step, they’ll have to do a better job of protecting him than the Jets did. Bolstering the offensive line has to begin at left tackle, which has been an ongoing problem here for seven years, now.

Fortunately, this is a deep OT class and there are a lot of quality prospects still out there. Carolina could also use more interior depth with center Matt Paradis going into the final year of his contract and right guard John Miller returning on a one-year deal. Going in, we have identified 12 potential OL targets on Day 2.

Free safety

While left tackle is a priority, the Panthers also have to consider taking one of the top free safety prospects in this class.

Both TCU’s Trevon Moehrig and UCF’s Richie Grant remain available. If one of them is still on the board at No. 39, Scott Fitterer and Matt Rhule at least have to consider it. For what it’s worth, Rhule went out of his way to praise Grant after coaching him at the Senior Bowl. Any safety prospects who can also drop down and defend the slot offer an extra bonus.

Wide receiver

WR might not seem like a need with D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson still under contract. Losing Curtis Samuel was a serious blow for Joe Brady’s offense, though. Signing David Moore will help some, but the team could use another big-bodied target for Darnold, which would also diminish their need to draft a tight end behind Dan Arnold. (That’s going to get weird).

One of the bigger receivers still on the board is LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. (6-foot-3, 200 pounds), who knows Brady’s scheme. Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) and Wake Forest’s Sage Surratt (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) may also be in play.

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2021 NFL draft: Which positions should the Panthers address on Day 2?

Here are three positions Carolina might need to address on Day 2.

The Panthers’ cornerback room is starting to look strong after the additions of A.J. Bouye and Rashaan Melvin in free agency and Jaycee Horn getting the call in round one of the draft.

This team still has holes at other high-impact positions, though. Here are three positions Carolina might need to address on Day 2.

Offensive line (left tackle)

The Panthers passed on a QB at No. 8 and exercised Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option this morning, making his QB1 status official. If Darnold is going to take that next step, they’ll have to do a better job of protecting him than the Jets did. Bolstering the offensive line has to begin at left tackle, which has been an ongoing problem here for seven years, now.

Fortunately, this is a deep OT class and there are a lot of quality prospects still out there. Carolina could also use more interior depth with center Matt Paradis going into the final year of his contract and right guard John Miller returning on a one-year deal. Going in, we have identified 12 potential OL targets on Day 2.

Free safety

While left tackle is a priority, the Panthers also have to consider taking one of the top free safety prospects in this class.

Both TCU’s Trevon Moehrig and UCF’s Richie Grant remain available. If one of them is still on the board at No. 39, Scott Fitterer and Matt Rhule at least have to consider it. For what it’s worth, Rhule went out of his way to praise Grant after coaching him at the Senior Bowl. Any safety prospects who can also drop down and defend the slot offer an extra bonus.

Wide receiver

WR might not seem like a need with D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson still under contract. Losing Curtis Samuel was a serious blow for Joe Brady’s offense, though. Signing David Moore will help some, but the team could use another big-bodied target for Darnold, which would also diminish their need to draft a tight end behind Dan Arnold. (That’s going to get weird).

One of the bigger receivers still on the board is LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr. (6-foot-3, 200 pounds), who knows Brady’s scheme. Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) and Wake Forest’s Sage Surratt (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) may also be in play.

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10 potential 2nd round picks for the Lions

10 potential 2nd round picks for GM Brad Holmes and the Lions to consider in the 2021 NFL draft

So much of the focus for the upcoming 2021 NFL draft is on the first round. But there are seven full rounds, and the Detroit Lions sit near the top of the second round with another critical pick.

Rookie GM Brad Holmes and the Lions need to get a player with the No. 41 pick who is capable of contributing right away and emerge as a good long-term starter at his position. No matter what happens in the first round, the new regime has to be ready to land an impact fit on Friday night of draft weekend, too.

Here are 10 players at various positions who generally project to be available when the Lions draft in the second round. Not all will be on the board when Holmes and his experienced braintrust make the pick, and the unknown first-round selection could render some of them moot.

Browns full mock draft v4.0: The ‘trade out of the 1st’ scenario

We explore what the Browns could get by trading out of the first round

We are now inside three weeks until Cleveland hosts the 2021 NFL draft. It’s getting to be crunch time for the Browns and all the other teams as pro days wrap up and scouting boards get finalized.

Mock drafts are a good chance to explore different scenarios, so in this edition, we’ll play with a new concept. What happens if the Browns traded out of the first round?

For that to happen, it takes a motivated buyer to come up to No. 26 overall. And I found one in the Miami Dolphins, who rocket back into the first round to snag Miami EDGE Jaelan Phillips, a perfect fit for their “multiple” defensive front.

In this hypothetical, Miami agrees to send the Browns both of its second-round picks in 2021, No. 36 overall (from Houston) and No. 50, in exchange for the No. 26 pick. The teams also swap seventh-round picks, with Cleveland moving up from No. 257 to No. 231, the Texans pick also owned by Miami via trade.

The trade leaves the Browns with the following 10 selections:

  • 36
  • 50
  • 59
  • 89
  • 91
  • 110
  • 132
  • 169
  • 211
  • 231

If you want to track the progression of the mock drafts, here are the first three editions:

Browns full 2021 mock draft v3.0: Post-free agency kickoff

Browns full 2021 mock draft v2.0

Browns full 7-round mock draft v1.0

Falcons 2021 scouting report: UCF safety Richie Grant

The Falcons have a lack of safeties on the roster and adding a true free safety like Richie Grant would add a lot of talent to the roster.

The Atlanta Falcons have a lack of safeties on the roster and adding a true free safety like Richie Grant would add talent to a position of need. Grant would fit in well as the starter for the Falcons and could be a massive upgrade over what Ricardo Allen and Damontae Kazee provided to the team the last half decade.

Cowboys News: Wednesday is safety day at The Star, Broaddus’ pet cats revealed

Checking the latest mock draft picks and power rankings, L.P. Ladouceur’s next move, and two linemen stand up for a local bullying victim.

The secondary is still the primary story in Dallas. Continuing a week that started with safety Keanu Neal being brought into the Cowboys fold, the team sent two representatives to Tuscaloosa for (ostensibly) an up-close look at one of the hottest cornerback prospects in next month’s draft. And, oh yeah, two more free agent safeties arrive in Dallas on Wednesday for their one-on-one meetings. Will the club sign one of them? Could they sign both of them?

All the defensive rebuilding forces one outlet to ask whether it’s necessary, given the offense’s firepower. Two of the big road-graders play hero to a local bullying victim, a former Cowboys special teams star wants to keep shining in a new NFL city, and Dallas is making moves- albeit microscopic ones- in the latest set of power rankings. All that, plus exploring a sack master’s chances at being a first-ballot Hall of Famer, the league reveals plans for draft day festivities, and we’re talking pet cats and mocks. Here’s the News and Notes.

5 safeties the Falcons could target in the 2021 NFL draft

The departures of Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, along with the potential loss of Damontae Kazee, have left the Falcons with a noticeable hole in the defensive secondary.

The departures of Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, along with the potential loss of Damontae Kazee, have left the Falcons with a noticeable hole in the defensive secondary. Despite the team signing former Raiders safety Erik Harris, Atlanta should still look to utilize an early-round draft selection to fill this vacancy.

While the 2021 class may not be loaded with first-round talent at safety, whoever the Falcons select should be expected to start right away. Here are the five best options in the draft for Atlanta to upgrade the safety position.