SAFETY
TOP 5 QB VIDEO
1
Bryce Young
2
CJ Stroud
3
Hendon Hooker
4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5
Jaren Hall
1
Brian Branch
SAF / ALABAMA / 6'0 / 190
.png)
Branch is a highly well-rounded safety with all the intangibles you want at the position. He is incredibly poised, consistently letting the game come to him. Although not overly explosive, Branch is a fluid mover who possesses functional strength and quickness. His IQ and awareness are off the charts. Branch is a guy who will make few mistakes, and you can trust him as the leader of your defence. He consistently takes the right angles in the run game and has the physical tools to win in the box consistently. His ball production won't be anything impressive, but Branch is a valuable leader who understands the game at a high level.
Grade: Round 1
Minkah Fitzpatrick
2
Antonio Johnson
SAF / TEXAS A&M / 6'2 / 198
Johnson is an imposing safety with intriguing length. He is highly productive in the run game and uses all his functional strength while tackling. Johnson plays with a sense of urgency, always staying alert and involved on every down. He possesses solid instincts and has a natural processing ability on the field. Johnson's change of direction and agility are underwhelming. He is nothing special in downfield coverage and won't be a ball hawk. However, his blend of strength and versatility will make him a quality starter, playing his best football near the line of scrimmage.
Grade: Round 2
Kyle Dugger
3
Christopher Smith II
SAF / GEORGIA / 5'11 / 192
Smith II is an extremely reliable safety with top-notch IQ. With underwhelming size and a poor showing at the combine, his stock should be a lot higher than it is. Despite his lack of straight-line speed, Smith II can explode into the backfield, quickly diagnosing the run. He is always on high alert and uses his awareness to stay involved. His quick trigger and route recognition allow him to easily process what's in front of him and take advantage to make a play. He isn't going to be a deep free-flying coverage guy, but Smith II is extremely smart, fundamental, and well-rounded.
Grade: Round 2
Adrian Phillips
4
Jordan Battle
SAF / ALABAMA / 6'1 / 209
Battle is an instinctive and dependable safety with a solid build. He is not overly explosive or physical but gets the job done. Battle understands where he needs to be and executes his role without making many mistakes. He is a strong short-range tackler, but his consistency breaks down in open space or downfield. Battle is not an overly sticky man coverage guy but understands how to play routes and is very adequate in that area. I don't see him becoming a superstar, but he is highly reliable and can have a long and productive career.
Grade: Round 2
Justin Reid
5
Brandon Joseph
SAF / NOTRE DAME / 6'0 / 202
Joseph is a smart safety with good size and play strength. He sees the field very well and has the capabilities to play the centerfielder role. Joseph is a physical tackler who uses all of his power while hitting. Although productive in this area - he must improve his consistency and technique in open space. His route recognition and feel in coverage will make him a valuable defender against potent air-raid attacks. His athletic testing at the combine was underwhelming, making me question if he can execute his style of play. However, I like him as a fundamental coverage guy and think he can become a solid starter in the NFL.
Grade: Round 3
Jessie Bates III
6
Sydney Brown
SAF / ILLINOIS / 5'10 / 211
Brown is a compact safety with functional athleticism. He is a savvy run defender who can find space to maneuver into the backfield. Brown is highly productive and involved in the trenches, always looking to make a play. He takes good angles to the ball and delivers force at the point of attack. Brown is not the most technical coverage guy, but his effort and physicality allow him to win certain matchups. With his effort and toughness in the run game and competitiveness as a playmaker, he will provide value in the NFL.
Grade: Round 3
Talona Hufanga
7
JL Skinner
SAF / BOISE STATE / 6'4 / 209
Skinner is a rangy safety with many tools to excel in the run game. With a high motor, great length, and good vision, he will be a valuable player in the box and open space. Skinner consistently takes proper angles to the ball, setting himself up well to make a play. He is a physical player with an impressive blend of size and speed. While fast, Skinner's change of direction and agility is underwhelming. His ability in man coverage is average, but his skill set is better suited to play in a zone scheme.
Grade: Round 3
Ronnie Harrison
8
Ronnie Hickman Jr.
SAF / OHIO STATE / 6'0 / 203
Hickman Jr. is a physical safety with tools to excel in the run game and slot. He needs to improve the angles he takes and change of direction in open space, but he is very solid at finishing a play when it is there for him. He has good vision and quickly involves himself in the trenches. Hickman Jr. is highly talented in crowded areas and has a knack for winning through contact. He has the frame and physicality to cover tight ends and work in the slot. Hickman Jr.'s route recognition and anticipation could improve, but he should have a solid role at the next level.
Grade: Round 3
Marcus Maye
9
Jartavius Martin
SAF / ILLINOIS / 5'11 / 194
Martin is a smooth and fluid safety with an impressive athletic profile. He has the burst and range to play in multiple alignments. Martin has an effective ability to plant and drive on the ball. While physical in his tackling, Martin does not possess the most functional strength. His route recognition and stickiness are average at best, and he struggles to track the ball when taken downfield. However, Martin's versatility, smoothness, and range will give him a solid role in the NFL.
Grade: Round 4
Eric Rowe
10
Jammie Robinson
SAF / FLORIDA ST. / 5'11 / 191
Robinson is a tough safety who excels while playing in the box. He is a consistent and productive tackler who constantly finds himself near the ball. Robinson's tough and physical demeanour is apparent when watching his film. He does not possess the ability to defend the ball at a high point and has trouble with hip fluidity. That said, I am concerned with his ability in man coverage. Robinson was exploited for a ton of short-yardage against NC State. He should be used purely in the box - but he will provide a ton of upside in that role.
Grade: Round 4
Jabrill Peppers
11
Jay Ward
SAF / LSU / 6'1 / 188
Ward is a hard-working safety who loves to get involved in the run game. He has a quick trigger and effectively diagnoses the run. Ward takes good angles and uses his length to wrap up open-field tackles. Reportedly a great leader who is highly respected in the locker room and motivating on the field. His instincts and recognition in coverage are underwhelming. Ward is impressive when pursuing the run, but I question whether his strength is adequate to match his play-style. I think Ward can add value as a versatile piece - and if all else fails, will be a highly productive special-teams player and leader.
Grade: Round 4
Marquise Blair
12
Trey Dean III
SAF / FLORIDA / 6'2 / 200
Dean III is a long and physical safety who plays with toughness. He lacks the desired top-end speed, posting a 4.75 at the combine, but plays with more downhill explosiveness on tape. Dean III is effective in press coverage and can get stops with his length and physicality. However, when dealing with twitchier and more skilled pass-catchers, he struggles. Dean III lacks the awareness and instincts you want to see from the position. He is a solid tackler in space and effectively utilizes his size to make plays. I don't see him being someone who can rotationally contribute.
Grade: Round 5
Grant Delpit
13
Brandon Hill
SAF / PITTSBURGH / 5'10 / 190
Hill is an explosive and rangy safety with an aggressive demeanour. He is a solid open-space tackler, utilizing his length to wrap up. Hill can quickly recover and reach his spot. He is a twitchy athlete with the physical tools to excel. Hill is capable of making plays in the run game, but his angles and technique are inconsistent, making him unpredictable in the trenches. He lacks the awareness to diagnose plays consistently and tends to read the quarterback more than the field. With his physical tools and aggression, Hill could become a rotational player at the next level.
Grade: Round 5
Vonn Bell
14
Ji'Ayir Brown
SAF / PENN STATE / 5'11 / 203
Brown is high energy safety who loves seeking out playmaking opportunities. He has a quick trigger and an explosive downfield ability to reach his spot. Brown's combine performance displayed a 4.65 40 time, much slower than what he shows on tape. His desire to make plays can sometimes backfire when he misdiagnoses a read. Brown is prone to be misdirected by a quarterback's deception. He has the toughness and ball skills to excel in certain coverage situations. Brown has work to do, but he can become a solid rotational player who provides a spark.