Safeties
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Safeties
1. Sean Smith – Utah
Height: 6′3″ | Weight: 214 | 40 Time: 4.51 | Vertical: 34.0 | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: A freak of nature with terrific sized. Showed up at the combine and wowed all the scouts. Can play either cornerback or safety and that’s why he’s this high on my list.
Downside: Has a small amount of experience and was originally recruited to be a wide receiver. Suspect hands and that’s why the change of position.
Bottom Line: Will bring a ton of value for teams that put a premium on matching up against larger receivers and that’s what the league is all about these days. His freakish athleticism will garner a ton of attention and I would not be surprised if Smith gets taken in the 1st round.
2. Louis Delmas – Western Michigan
Height: 5′11″ | Weight: 202 | 40 Time: 4.50 | Vertical: 37.0 | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Has great closing speed and is an aggressive hitter. A four year starter with great ball skills and is a true center fielder.
Downside: Lacks bulk and hits like it. Durability is a concern with his lean build and how he throws his body around.
Bottom Line: An aggressive player who offers a ton of versatility. A vocal team leader who was solid at the Senior Bowl. Delmas is a great fit at the free safety position and will last in this league with his vision on the field.
3. Rashad Johnson – Alabama
Height: 5′11″ | Weight: 203 | 40 Time: 4.53 | Vertical: 37.0 | Projected: 2nd Round
Upside: Walk on that proved himself. Proven to be a hard worker who is a student of the game. Takes great angels and is a reliable tackler when the game is on the line.
Downside: Does not have a great build and lacks strength to stuff the runners that break the second level.
Bottom Line: Great potential to be a free safety and has solid instincts to recognize the pass/run. Didn’t have a great weekend at the Senior Bowl but has an unquestioned passion for the game.
4. Patrick Chung – Oregon
Height: 5′11″ | Weight: 212 | 40 Time: 4.51 | Vertical: 34.0 | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: The best strong safety on the board and is a great open field tackler. Offers returning ability on special teams.
Downside: Does not have great ball skills and is stiff in his movements. Not center fielder and needs to stay in the box.
Bottom Line: Will be a coaches favorite if he’s left inside the box and is the last line of defense in run support where he excels. Chung is a great option for a team in need of run support.
5. William Moore – Missouri
Height: 6′0″ | Weight: 221 | 40 Time: 4.51 | Vertical: 37.0 | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Moore is a heavy hitter who has a intimidating presence. Possesses great size and will deliver “wow” hits.
Downside: Can be late to react and he does not possess good ball skills. More of a battering ram as opposed to a center fielder. Has durability concerns.
Bottom Line: Did not have a great Senior Bowl weekend and looks to be too bulky to survive in deep coverage. Another Strong Safety type who needs to stay in the box. Has fought through a lot of adversity in his life.
6. Chip Vaughn – Wake Forest
Height: 6′1″ | Weight: 221 | 40 Time: 4.51 | Vertical: 37.0 | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Good athlete with great size. Will contribute immediately on special teams and is very coachable. Great range and hustle.
Downside: Struggles to sift through traffic and can get lost at time throughout a game. Has some character concerns.
Bottom Line: Entered the program as a wide receiver, converted to safety as a freshman, and has improved his game every year. Can play center field and has great athletic ability. A ton of upside here.
7. Darcel McBath – Texas Tech
Height: 6′0″ | Weight: 198 | 40 Time: 4.58 | Vertical: 38.0 | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Good height and range. He recognizes the proper angles to take to make the play. Has good vision.
Downside: Not a big hitter and more of a drag down tackler. Doesn’t see the field well and can get fooled by the play action. Skinny legs and it shows in his tackling attempts.
Bottom Line: Has shown big play ability and could be an impact player at the next level. Emerged as a playmaker his senior season and has a lot of upside.
(Sorry about the video but Darcel is #7 and makes a nice INT at the end of the team video)
8. Michael Hamlin – Clemson
Height: 6′2″ | Weight: 214 | 40 Time: 4.62 | Vertical: 37.5 | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: 4-Year starter has great size and bulk. His height and athleticism gives him superior field vision. Has good work ethic and takes the game seriously.
Downside: Lacks great strength and does not hit with suddenness. Hamlin does not have great instincts and is late to react. Is stiff in his movements.
Bottom Line: Needs to stay in the box, as he’ll be fooled by the play action at times. Will draw a lot of interest as a free safety but he may be best suited on the strong side.
9. Curtis Taylor – Louisiana State
Height: 6′2″ | Weight: 209 | 40 Time: 4.64 | Vertical: 37.5 | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Has great size and tackling ability. Amazing athlete for his size, as he ran Knowshon Moreno down from behind. Great work ethic and terrific recovery speed.
Downside: Does not play with great technique and struggles to make the open field tackle in the run game.
Bottom Line: Needs to be playing centerfield or he’ll be exposed in run support. He’s a better athlete than a player and he’ll likely be drafted higher than he should because of his upside and size.
10. David Bruton – Notre Dame
Height: 6′2″ | Weight: 219 | 40 Time: 4.46 | Vertical: 41.5 | Projected: 3rd Round
Upside: Great strength, great vertical, and terrific straight line speed. Bruton is a hunchbacked safety that hits hard and will bring immediate value on special teams.
Downside: A little stiff in his lateral ability. Can be fooled by a smart QB and stands up too tall in his back pedal.
Bottom Line: A well built physical specimen. Had a great Senior Bowl and showed off at the combine. Will be over drafted due to his awesome test results in Indy.
