The Atlanta Falcons bolstered their secondary in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night, selecting Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver with the 58th overall pick.
Still needing a defensive tackle after Dontari Poe left as a free agent, the Falcons decided instead to focus on cornerback, a position that was thinned after Jalen Collins, a second-round pick in 2015, played less than two full seasons after violating drug-testing rules.
Oliver will slot in behind starting corners Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford. Named first-team All-Pac 12 despite missing two games with a leg injury, Oliver had two interceptions and 15 passes defended.
Under first-time coordinator Marquand Manuel last season, the Falcons’ defense was better than the year before, moving into the top 10 in scoring and total yards for the first time at the end of the regular season the 1998 Falcons advanced to the Super Bowl.
The difference came in giving up less explosive plays. Atlanta improved 15 spots to rank No. 8 in passes allowed of at least 20 yards and went from 25th to No. 2 in runs allowed of at least 20 yards.
The Falcons chose Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley in the first round.
Posted at 7:40 PM, Apr 27, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-27 21:40:36-04
Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
