Report: Atlanta Falcons to host safety prospect Budda Baker

The Atlanta Falcons secondary has a bright, productive future. Dan Quinn has a formula, and he’s dead set on using it, attempting to replicate his successes in Seattle. Part of that process was “reaching” and drafting bringing aboard hard hitting strong safety Keanu Neal. That was step one. Step two was locking up his two best cornerbacks, Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant. Step three is closing his eyes, standing on one leg, and hopping, while patting his head and rubbing his belly.

Seriously though, is Ricardo Allen in Quinn’s long-term plans? In short, we don’t know yet. There seems be a lot of chatter, much of it unsubstantiated, suggesting he isn’t. Now the Falcons are set to host an intriguing free safety prospect later this week.

Baker is a speedy, smallish defensive back whose competitive spirit and aggressiveness are his trademarks. Scouts worry about his size in the NFL, which is a fair criticism. On the other hand, if he were an inch or two taller and ten pounds heavier, he’d be a first round draft pick. As is, he’s likely to go in the second round. I’m not sure how I feel about the Falcons drafting a safety in the second round; they have more pressing needs. But if we’re just examining Baker’s credentials in a vacuum, I definitely like him as a player.

Your thoughts?