The Falcons traded up six spots in the fourth round to select Ohio State cornerback Kendall Sheffield in the NFL draft on Saturday.
The Falcons sent their sixth-round pick (186th overall) to the Lions to move up.
Sheffield, is 5-feet-11 and 193 pounds, and has a 5.56 grade from NFL.Com, which projects that he has a chance to become a starter in the NFL.
He started his career at Alabama and went to junior college before transferring to Ohio State.
Sheffield was the 12th rated cornerback in the draft by NFL Draft Bible.
Sheffield is recovering from a pectoral injury that suffered on the bench press on March 3. He said that he’ll be recovered for the season.
“My peck is really good,” Sheffield said. “I’m getting some rehab down there in Houston right now. But I also bring a good, long, physical corner.”
Sheffield play the 2017 season with former Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward, who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He also played with Marshon Lattimore.
“It was great being around them,” Sheffield said. “Coming into Ohio State, the traditions and to live up to the traditions, I was happy.”
Sheffield was vague when asked about why he left Alabama. He said he just wanted to re-open his recruiting.
The Falcons are thin at cornerback after releasing former starting right cornerback Robert Alford and electing not to re-sign nickel back Brian Poole. The Falcons also did not re-sign cornerback Justin Bethel.
Sheffield is from Missouri City, Texas.
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