Falcons trade up and land CB Kendall Sheffield in fourth round

The Falcons have swapped up from #117 and threw in pick #186 for pick #111 and wound up with Ohio State CB Kendall Sheffield.

The team was strongly tied to cornerbacks throughout the pre-draft process, and they’ve made a CB their third selection in this class, indicating that they like Sheffield’s potential over the long haul even if there may not be room for to start in 2019. Sheffield needs coaching, per most scouting reports, and isn’t necessarily a ballhawk. However, he’s extremely fast and combines the ability to smother receivers with the ability to get into the air and hang with tall receivers, despite his modest height.

If the Falcons can get him on the field this year—and they will—he’ll be intriguing right away thanks to that athletic profile. There may be room for him outside next season, however, if the Falcons shuffle their cornerback group or move on from Desmond Trufant. At the very least, he’s intriguing depth for a team that could always use more athletic cornerbacks.

That suggests, though, that he’s destined for big things with Atlanta. We’ll see how the team rolls him out in 2019 and what moves they make to make room for him in 2020, whether a reshuffling or ushering in the Isaiah Oliver/Sheffield era. Exciting times.

Give him a warm welcome!