We continue our breakdown of the Atlanta Falcons roster with a look at the safeties:
SAFETY
THE CAST: William Moore, Charles Godfrey, Kemal Ishmael, Dezmen Southward, Sean Baker, Brandan Bishop
2015 CAP NUMBERS: Moore ($5,368,750), Godfrey ($1,137,500), Southward ($737,373), Ishmael ($596,474), Baker ($510,000), Bishop ($435,000)
THE BREAKDOWN: Moore is the unquestioned leader of the group but has to recover from a significant shoulder surgery that is likely to keep him from doing much this offseason. Ishmael was a capable replacement for Moore last season and will be hard to keep off the field as a strong tackler and playmaker (team-leading four interceptions in 2014). The Falcons opted not to sign Dwight Lowery, who started at free safety all of last season and is now with the Colts. Then they struck out on at least one free-agent target in Darian Stewart, who signed with the Broncos while visiting Atlanta. Southward could be in the free safety mix if he doesn’t get converted to corner. Right now, coach Dan Quinn views Godfrey as the primary free safety next to Moore at strong safety. All that could change after the draft.
THE DRAFT: The Falcons have an obvious need at free safety after striking out in free agency, but it would be a surprise if they targeted help in the first two rounds of the draft. However, it might be an area addressed in Rounds 3-6. One mid-round prospect they’ve already checked into is Virginia's Anthony Harris, who led the nation in interceptions as a junior. The 6-foot-1, 183-pounder ran the 40 in 4.56 seconds at the NFL combine. Quinn wants taller safeties with range. Maybe there's a cornerback in the draft class whom he views as an ideal candidate to move to free safety.
MONDAY: Special teams
