Falcons lock up first round pick Keanu Neal with four-year deal

Years ago, rookies would consistently hold out deep into training camp, and sometimes, into preseason. Now players sign deals just a few days after the draft. Kean Neal is the first of the Atlanta Falcons draft class to sign.

Per the Atlanta Falcons website.

The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have agreed to terms with first round draft pick (17th overall) safety Keanu Neal. He is the only first round pick of the 2016 NFL Draft class to agree to terms on his contract.

As pointed out by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the deal should be worth about $10 million. The Falcons will have an option for a reasonably priced fifth year, similar to how Desmond Trufant had his fifth year option exercised earlier this offseason.

While deals are set according to predetermined slots and holdouts are nonexistent, it always better when the players get signed early and can work on getting up to NFL speed. Neal's quick impact will be greatly needed if the Falcons are going to improve from last season.