2014 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons select Dezmen Southward with the 68th overall pick

Jan 1, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Bruce Ellington (23) makes a fourth-down catch in front of Wisconsin Badgers safety Dezmen Southward (12) in the third quarter as the South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Wisconsin Badgers 34-24 in the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons addressed their safety need in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft by taking Wisconsin safety Dezmen Southward with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

It’s good to see that the Falcons are focusing on improving the defense after getting Jake Matthews in the first round, and I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing the team take another pass rusher in the next round.

Southward seems to be a bit of a project pick at the moment, as he’s fairly raw (only started playing football as a senior in high school), but he’s extremely aggressive and quick (his 40-yard dash time is 4.38).

Here’s what CBSSports has on him:

"STRENGTHS: Long arms and solid frame. Plays with toughness and burst to close. Attacks blockers, showing little regard for his own safety. Good body control and awareness of the sideline. Good, not great, burst to close. Impressive durability.WEAKNESSES: Raw and still learning the game — began playing as a high school senior. Has a high, choppy backpedal and loses a step in his transition. Easily turned by fast and shifty receiver. Stiff running downhill and lacks lateral explosiveness. Hops and sidesteps rather than fluidly changing direction."

With their first three picks in the 2014 Draft, the Falcons have seemingly addressed their top three needs. Going forward it would be nice to get more depth at pass rushing positions, but this is certainly a nice start for Thomas Dimitroff and all the guys calling the shots for the Atlanta Falcons.

What do you think about this pick?