The Atlanta Falcons traded back and selected LSU linebacker Duke Riley in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft tonight. He helps solidify a linebacker corps headlined by undrafted free agents Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow just three years ago.
Riley and Deion Jones were college teammates and they boast a similar skill set. Riley, like Jones, is fast. Super fast. He ran a 4.58 40 yard dash at the combine, 2nd best among LBs. (2016 draft picks Jones and De’Vondre Campbell ran 4.59 and 4.58 40 yards dashes, respectively.) He ran a 6.89 3 cone drill, fifth among LBs.