National Football League

Falcons keep focus on defense by drafting safety Neal

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:43 p.m. ET

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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) The Atlanta Falcons have continued to build their defense by selecting Florida safety Keanu Neal with the No. 17 pick in the NFL draft.

Neal will have a chance to compete for a starting job as the Falcons look to replace veteran strong safety William Moore, who was released. Kemal Ishmael returns after playing behind Moore last season.

Neal is regarded as a big hitter and a strong run-stopper. He has good size at 6-feet, 211 pounds.

The pick comes after the Falcons chose defensive players with four of their seven picks in 2015, their first draft with coach Dan Quinn.

The Falcons have only five picks in the draft, including only one after the fourth round.

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Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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