Top Safety Prospects

Jamal Adams
LSU S #33

Player Profile

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 214 Lbs
209 tackles, 14 PD, 5 INT, 2 FF, 2 FR
2016 1st-Team All-American
2x 1st-Team All-SEC

Strengths

Heartbeat of the LSU defense.  Emotional leader and on field pulse of the team.  His energy on the field in infectious.  Fearless player that trusts his instincts.  Tightly wound and compact frame.  Short area explosion and change of direction skills are special.  Light on his feet and explodes out of backpedal.  Relentless in his pursuit of the football.  A physical and disruptive force near the LOS(line of scrimmage).  Quick to recognize formations and applies his knowledge to diagnose the play. 

Weaknesses

His top end speed and ability to drop back and cover the deep half is in question.  Primarily played as a box safety in college.  Tackling technique is still something he needs to improve.  Takes bad angles to the ball and torpedoes himself instead of wrapping up.  Played with better control in 2016, but still needs consistency in this area.

Final Verdict

Adams is one of the top players in the draft.  There are few holes in his game and a lot to like.  There are similarities to Earl Thomas in his play-style and leadership traits.  He's the future leader of a secondary and a surefire 1st-round pick in the draft.

Draft Projection: Top 5

Malik Hooker
Ohio State S #24

Player Profile

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 206 Lbs
84 tackles, 4 PD, 7 INT, 3 TD
2016 1st-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-Big 10

Strengths

Prototype center fielder.  Elite range in the deep part of the field.  Flips his hips and gets to the boundary in a hurry.  Top end ball production.  Excellent timing on his jumps and consistently comes down with the football.  Soft hands snatch the ball at its highest point.  Ability to turn a pick into points.  Returned three interceptions in 2016 for touchdowns.  Flashes the ability to slide down into the slot and mirror tight ends step for step.

Weaknesses

A one-year starter at Ohio State.  Raw talent that is still learning the position.  A very inconsistent tackler.  Takes bad angles from deep third to the football.  Attack the ball carrier out of control.  Needs to break down on a more consistent basis and attack with proper leverage and control.

Final Verdict

Hooker is a rare commodity in the NFL.  Safeties that have elite range on the back end are hard to come by.  The Ed Reed comparisons are a bit premature, but his talent and production scream future star potential.  Malik Hooker would benefit from a defense that lets him roam free in the deep third.  Another high level safety that should go early on day one.

Draft Projection: Top 10

Jabril Peppers
Michigan S #5

Player Profile

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 213 Lbs
119 tackles, 11 PD, 1 INT
1314 all-purpose yards 6 TD (5 OFF, 1 RET)
2016 1st-Team All-American
2016 Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year
2x 1st-Team All-Big 10 (2015-16)

Strengths

A supreme athlete.  Jack of all trades that can produce in all three phases of the game.  A chess piece on defense.  Safety at the next level with the ability to cover receivers, running backs and tight ends from the slot.  Effective blitzer from the nickel position and a quality chase and tackle player.  His energy and spirit are evident on tape.  Always engaged and has a read on the emotional vibe of a game.  A threat to make something happen whenever he touches the ball on special teams or offense.  An entertainer that provides countless moments of excitement for a crowd.

Weaknesses

Played three different positions in college.  A debate on which position will be his best going forward.  His nonexistent ball production in concerning.  Only interception in his college career came on a tipped ball(vs OSU).  In 2015, he struggled to track the ball deep as a safety.  Multiple occasions where he didn't locate the ball in one-on-one coverage.  Tends to grab jersey in man coverage.  Athletic ability to turn and run with anyone, but doesn't trust his technique.  An over zealous tackler that takes bad angles when attacking downfield.

Final Verdict

Jabril Peppers is one of the most exciting players in college football.  He has a rare combination of raw traits that need to be molded into a complete football player.  Inconclusive drug test result at the combine is a cause for concern, but the raw talent is.  He's one of the more polarizing figures in the draft and deserves first round consideration based on his talent alone.

Draft Projection: Late 1st-Round

Budda Baker
Washington S #32

Player Profile

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 195 Lbs
199 tackles, 18 PD, 5 INT, 3 FF
2016 2nd-Team All-American
2x 1st-Team All-Pac 12

Strengths

Born with a competitive nature.  Plays with plenty of swagger and a chip on his shoulder.  Elite change of direction and short area quickness.  Stays in the hip pocket of receivers and challenges the catch point.  Great instincts in zone coverage.  Understands route combinations going on behind him and adjusts his depth accordingly.  Solid pursuit angles to the football.  A competitive drag down tackler best suited for chasing down ball carriers.

Weaknesses

Size is one of the only concerns.  Long term durability to withstand a 16-game pounding in the NFL.  A surefire first-round pick if he were two inches taller and 10-15 pounds heavier.  Competitive tacker, but bounces of larger ball carriers.  His take on skills will be challenged at the next level.

Final Verdict

One of the best names and players in the draft.  Budda Baker is a scrappy competitor that will do whatever it takes to make a play.  He has the skill-set to play corner in the NFL.  Another Pac 12 safety in Damarious Randall experienced a similar change on draft day.  Baker is a plug and play nickel with the skills to play both corner and safety on Sundays.

Draft Projection: Late 1st-Round to Early 2nd-Round

Marcus Maye
Florida S #20

Player Profile

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 210 Lbs
205 tackles, 16 PD, 5 INT, 6 FF, 2 FR
2016 2nd-Team All-SEC
2015 1st-Team All-SEC

Strengths

Explosively built lower body.  Above average speed and burst coming from the deep half.  Versatile enough to cover the deep third and drop down to play near the LOS.  One of the better tacklers in the safety group.  Eyes take him to the football.  Excellent pursuit angles and has a nose for runners in traffic.  Comes in under control, wraps up and takes the ball carrier down.  Solid ball production throughout his career for a safety.

Weaknesses

There are questions about his ability to track the deep ball and cover in the slot.  Average closing speed when the ball is in flight.  A little tight in his hips.  Struggles to stay close in coverage.  Zay Jones embarrassed him on a double move early in 2016.  Not a weakness, but might fall into the category of "good at everything/great at nothing".

Final Verdict

Maye is a solid prospect that can play multiple spots in the secondary.  At his best when close to the line.  A great tackler in pursuit and decent in coverage near the LOS.  His NFL ready body and versatility could push him up draft boards.  Teams such as the Cardinals could call his name early on draft night.

Draft Projection: Late 1st-Round to 2nd-Round

Obi Melifonwu
Connecticut S #20

Player Profile

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 224 Lbs
349 tackles, 16 PD, 8 INT, 2 FF, 2 FF
2016 1st-Team All-AAC

Strengths

Four-year starter.  Freak athlete.  At 224 pounds, he ran a 4.4 40-yard dash and jumped 44" at the NFL combine.  A veteran safety that has extended experience in multiple coverages.  Flashes the sideline to sideline range coveted in a free safety.  Shows up in run support.  A secure drag down tackler.  His talent has just scratched the surface of his athletic ability.  More athletic and equal ball production to former Uconn 1st-round pick Byron Jones.

Weaknesses

Some of his combine numbers don't translate to the football field.  The short area explosion transitioning out of his backpedal is inconsistent.  Takes a while to gear down and back up again.  Angles coming from deep third to the sideline are erratic.  A more consistent target point from center field would maximize his natural movement ability.  Needs to be more physical in run support.  Looks hesitant to initiate contact in the hole.

Final Verdict

Obi Melifonwu is an outstanding athlete that can transform into a great football player in the future.  There is a lot of athletic talent to work with.  Will need to improve his short area burst in order to match up with receivers in the slot.  His athleticism has carried him so far, and it could lift him all the way into the first round.

Draft Projection: Late 1st-Round to 2nd-Round

Josh Jones
N.C. State S #11

Player Profile

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 220 Lbs
229 tackles, 17 PD, 8 INT, 3 FF, 2 FR

Strengths

Prototypical height, weight and speed for an NFL safety.  A typical box safety that flourishes within 10 yards of the LOS.  Physical presence in the run game.  An aggressive tackler that loves contact.  Lowers his shoulder and drives through the ball carrier.  Above average gap discipline in the run game.  Stays in his lane and trusts his teammates to do their job.

Weaknesses

High cut backpedal on the back-end.  I question his ability to turn and cover the deep half of the field.  Ball awareness during the play is lacking.  Fooled by misdirection plays and play action.  His aggression works against him when he has time to line up a big hit.  Attacks the ball carrier with bad inside out leverage and always goes for the knockout blow.  Throws a heavy shoulder instead of wrapping up.

Final Verdict

Jones was often overlooked by fans and the media while playing at N.C. State.  He had three years of top end production capped off with a spectacular junior campaign this season.  Jones is the best pure box safety in this draft and excels near the LOS.  A team looking to sure up their physicality on run defense would benefit from his skill-set.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Marcus Williams
Utah S #20

Player Profile

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 202 Lbs
188 tackles, 8 PD, 11 INT, 4 FF, 2 FR
2016 2nd-Team All-Pac 12
2015 1st-Team All-Pac 12

Strengths

Natural single high safety on the back end.  Sideline to sideline range from center field.  Quarterback's eyes take him to the football.  A good feel in zone coverage.  Baits quarterbacks to throw it in his direction.  Elite leaper that can high point the football(43.5 inch vertical).  Attacks the ball at its highest point and comes down with it.  Consistent turnover production during career at Utah.  Totaled 13 takeaways in three years.

Weaknesses

Rarely plays near the LOS.  Not a physical presence in run support.  Is satisfied allowing the running back to run at him instead of filling an open lane.  Hips don't explode into the ball carrier through contact.  Looks to drag ball carriers to the turf.

Final Verdict

Marcus Williams' skill-set will catapult him up draft boards.  He's a true center fielder in the secondary with ball hawk traits.  His range is a notch below Hooker's, but its good enough to create turnovers on the back end.  Teams that play a single high safety will look his way on day two of the draft.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Justin Evans
Texas A&M S #14

Player Profile

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 199 Lbs
165 tackles, 11 PD, 5 INT
2016 2nd-Team All-SEC

Strengths

Athletic defender that flies around the field.  Above average speed and burst.  Shows up in run support and in fearless in the face of contact.  Rallies to the football in a hurry and is thirsty for contact.  Very aggressive tackler that can deliver the knockout blow.  Flashes tremendous ball skills.  Great leaping interception of Josh Rosen in 2016. 

Weaknesses

Over aggressive in an understatement.  Plays with reckless abandon.  Charges downfield out of control and without a purpose.  Looks to smack someone in the jaw on every collision.  A sloppy open field tackler that rarely breaks down in space.  His physique doesn't match his play style.  Thin frame that needs more muscle.  Body may not hold up for a full season.  Needs to play with better control and attack with more purpose.

Final Verdict

Justin Evans is exciting to watch.  He's either going to make a highlight hit, or whiff completely.  Tackling efficiency will need to improve if he wants to see the field in 2017.  He's a high energy player that goes for broke on each play.  A more consistent effort in all facets of his game will propel him to another level.

Draft Projection: 3rd-Round

Desmond King
Iowa CB/S #14

Player Profile

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 201 Lbs
263 tackles, 33 PD, 14 INT, 1 FF, 3 FR
2015 Jim Thorpe Award
2015 Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year
2015 1st-Team All-American
2x 1st-Team All-Big 10 (2015-16)

Strengths

Four-year starter for the Iowa Hawkeyes defense.  Played in over 40 games in college and has shown to be extremely durable.  Experience both outside and in the slot.  Elite ball production over his last three years of his college career.  Had extraordinary numbers in 2015(8 INT, 13 PD).  Knows the tricks of the trade in coverage.  Rides the receivers hip and makes contact at the catch point.  Knack for punching the ball out late.  A solid drag down tackler in the open field.  Adds some return ability on special teams.

Weaknesses

Average movement skills for an outside corner.  His lack of deep speed has triggered the potential move to safety.  Has trouble carrying speedy receivers down the sideline in 2016.  Quicker receiver get clean releases off him at the LOS.  Will need to learn a new position with different pursuit angles if he is forced to change positions.

Final Verdict

King won the Thorpe Award for a reason.  He's a damn good cornerback.  However, his lack of deep speed on the outside is a concern.  His experience at cornerback will give teams the flexibility to play him in multiple positions.  Safety, corner and nickel are all options at the next level. 

Draft Projection: 3rd-Round
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