Falcons’ draft board: Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward

School: Northern Illinois

Height and weight: 5-1, 193

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Pro Day Numbers: He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds, broad jump of 10 feet,5 inches, 4.24 short shuttle and 6.89 three-cone drill.

Projected Round: He's projected to be drafted in the first or second round by NFLDraftscout.com. However, Nolan Nawrocki's NFL Draft Preview 2014 has Ward being selected in the fourth or fifth round.

Career Highlights: He was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist after anchoring the Huskies' defense in 2013. He led the team in tackles with 92 and displayed great range in coverage. He had seven interceptions and 10 pass break-ups.

Quotes: Scout's take from Nolan Nawrocki's NFL Draft 2014 Preview book, "He's a nickel safety. That's what he is. You can find those guys in the fourth round. If they are really good, you might start looking in the third. (Ward) doesn't start for us as a safety or in nickel. I put him in the fifth (round) for us." Mel Kiper Jr. writes that Ward goes too low if "he's around past the middle of Round 2. Don't be worried about a lack of competition. Ward looks like he's a step ahead of everybody else, and his instincts and range will play well at the next level. So many teams need safeties, so I'd be surprised if my No. 33-ranked prospect is around long on Day 2, if at all."

Falcons level on interest: High. The Falcons released starting free safety Thomas DeCoud over the offseason. He's since signed with Carolina. The Falcons did sign Dwight Lowery this offseason, but it's unclear if they are counting on him to start or if he'll mentor a draft pick. Ward has the range and striking ability that the Falcons desire.

Here are the Falcons draft picks:

FALCONS' DRAFT BOARD

--A look at Iowa TE C.J. Fiedorowicz

--A look at West Virginia RB Charles Sims

--A look at Auburn DE Dee Ford

--A look at Brigham Young OLB Kyle Van Noy

--A look at Arizona State OLB/DE Carl Bradford

--A look at Missouri DE Kony Ealy

--A look at Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro

--A look at Alabama S Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix

--A look at Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman

--A look at Boston College QB Chase Rettig

--A look at Oregon RB De'Anthony Thomas

--A look at Central Florida RB Storm Johnson

--A look at USC TE Xavier Grimble

--A look at Ohio State OT Jack Mewhort

--A look at Louisville S Calvin Prior

--A look at Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier

--A look at Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde

--A look at UCLA LB Anthony Barr

--A look at Florida State C Bryan Stork

--A look at South Carolina QB Connor Shaw

--A look at Florida TE/WR Trey Burton

--BLOG:  A list of the confirmed players at LOCALS DAY on Tuesday

--BLOG: FSU linebacker Telvin Smith visited the Falcons on Monday

--Falcons check out Towson State RB Terrance West, CB Jordan Love (UGA transfer)

--MyAJC ($): Eye-test vs. Tape-measure test: Falcons must trust their eyes during draft prep. 

2014 NFL DRAFT CENTRAL

--Mock Draft 1.0: Falcons trade out of sixth spot to land Pryor and Ebron

--12 teams who could draft UGA star Aaron Murray

--Louisville LB Preston Brown to work out for the Falcons

--Louisville DE Marcus Smith to work out for the Falcons

--MyAJC ($): OT Greg Robinson, DE Dee Ford shine at Auburn's Pro Day

--VIDEO: Tackle Greg Robinson on Auburn's Pro Day

--VIDEO: Running back Tra Mason on Auburn's Pro Day

--Blog & VIDEO: Clemson QB Tajh Boyd has stellar Pro Day showing

--VIDEO: Clemson WR Sammy Watkins on his Pro Day