Thats the kind of defender you want around the football. Thankfully, that couldnt be further from the truth with Branch. Strong safety used to be a coveted specialty role in the NFL, encompassing those who played more like auxiliary linebackers and patrolled the box, defending the run and covering short zones underneath. He is coming off a season with a career-high 90.4 overall PFF grade and a 90.9 coverage grade. The results are (sometimes) interesting but what it really does show, is that on the whole - NFL teams would have done better by putting their feet up and just switching on autodraft. Take a look, we have every team's draft since 2011 rated. With the NFL Scouting Combine getting set to begin positional workouts, heres a look at the biggest combine snubs at each position in the 2023 NFL Draft Class. Both players have shown elite upside and play, but they havent been able to maintain that peak for as long as some others. The biggest thing preventing him from being the consensus best safety in the NFL is health. There's Bryan Cook was a distinctly unremarkable playing heading into 2021 and looked like a probable UDFA prospect, however, following an Cam Taylor Britt is a good NFL prospect who really elevated his stock with an impressive combine and senior bowl performance. Christopher Smith, Georgia HT: 5111 WT: 190 Year: Super Senior High School: Hapeville Charter (Atlanta, GA) Rating: 4-star (0.8991) Reed Blankenship | Middle Tennessee State, https://draftwire.usatoday.com/gallery/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-safety-trevon-moehrig-jevon-holland-richie-grant/, 2023 NFL mock draft: New 1st-round projections with trades, 2023 NFL mock draft: Pre-combine 3-round forecast with trades, comp picks, 2023 NFL mock draft: New 3-round projections with trades, comp picks, 2023 NFL mock draft: 3-round projections after Senior Bowl week, 2023 NFL mock draft: 2-round projections with big trades, and a new No. Adams was often deployed in favorable coverage matchups with the Jets, but he was on the receiving end of that too often in 2020. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. 2,909 career snaps to his name, Robinson has been an excellent tackler. Bates tallied a ridiculous 12 pass breakups to go along with three interceptions on the season despite playing the bulk of his snaps in the middle of the field, where those plays are hard to come by. Andre Cisco, Syracuse (second round) 4. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. WebGet the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. Poyer allowed just 8.7 yards per reception from 55 targets last season. Battle is sort of a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none. Harrisons career wasnt stellar in Jacksonville, but the second he was traded to Cleveland, he began to look like a different player, and that was within a secondary that wasnt loaded with quality. SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. Maintaining high-level play in the secondary over time is an extremely difficult task, yet Simmons has had back-to-back excellent years for the Broncos. As we look ahead to the next big mile marker in the predraft process, the NFL Scouting Combine, heres an updated look at how we rank the top safety prospects in this years draft: Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. Tier 3 are the Round 4-5 caliber players. Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer each fit into this category for the Buffalo Bills and together may form the best safety duo in the league. Sanders, an Alabama transfer, has spot edge rusher potential in addition to having the size necessary to hold up at the point of attack. Jordan Battle, Alabama, Sr, 6-2, 210 2. In-depth prospect rankings with linked reports and all updated player information. Here are the top 10 safeties in this year's draft class, per PFF's NFL Draft Guide. The now fifth-year safety missed just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020. It offers one of the best groups of slot cornerbacks in recent memory along with some size-speed freaks and versatile safeties. Live picks, grades and reaction to the 2023 NFL Draft. He racked up 10 picks over the course of his career and allowed only 80 yards on 17 targets with Notre Dame this past season. Auburn at Alabama Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, DePaul at UConn Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Maryland at Ohio State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Pitt at Notre Dame Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Oklahoma at Kansas State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Chicago State at Gonzaga Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Vanderbilt at Kentucky Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Xavier at Providence Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Texas at TCU Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Privacy Notice / Your California Privacy Rights. All Scouts Average Position Rank 11. His biggest weakness has been a lack of plays on the football, with just two picks and 25 pass breakups across seven years of play. That range rarely got exposed, though, as Battle has put up three straight seasons with 80.0-plus coverage grades. His in-season tape is clear evidence, but you can also watch the practice/training camp footage that emerges every year of James going one on one with Keenan Allen one of the best route-runners in the game and covering him like a blanket. Last year, his coverage and run-defense grades came in at 74.0 or better. Tuli Tuipulotu was used as an edge rusher in Los Angeles, but projects to the inside. 3: With 2,909 career snaps to his name, Robinson has been an excellent tackler. 2023 NFL Draft Safety Rankings includes a prospect ranking, a breakdown of scouting for the position, key questions about the position, and a link to learn more.. 2023 NFL Mock Draft Safety Rankings: Brian Branch, Alabama; Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M; Jordan Battle, Alabama; Jammie Robinson, Florida State This past season, he allowed only 17 catches on 32 targets for 176 yards with four picks and three pass breakups. What was even more impressive was the development he showed over the season, with his overall PFF grade jumping from 53.1 to 74.4 from the first half of his season to the second. Brisker is one spot behind Michigan s Dax Hill. See his 2022 and 2023 Rankings as well! Clark is good enough at everything to be the kind of versatility player the Ravens covet in their secondary. He collected 16 stops in the run game this past fall and proved to have one of the more versatile skill sets in the draft class. Its the 2022 NFL Drafts most underappreciated group at maybe the most Antoine Winfield Jr. may be entering only his third year in the league, but he hit the ground running for a Super Bowl team and then backed that up with an 86.1 PFF grade that ranked second in the league last year. Despite his size, Gillespie He was far more consistent in Year 2, giving up half as many touchdowns in primary coverage (three to six) as his rookie year while his coverage grade jumped 10 points. Johnson has earned overall PFF and coverage grades of at least 80.0 in every healthy season he has played in the NFL, and now he gets the opportunity to show he can stay at that incredible level with a new team after his offseason move to Cleveland. Web90.6. You wont find many true freshman starters on defense at Alabama for head coach Nick Saban. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama: Round 1, 4. Adams is a better player than he showed last season in Seattle, albeit likely not one good enough to justify the two first-round picks in the trade that took him there. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State (third round) 6. Thats because, at 205 pounds, hes more than willing to mix it up. Ward struggled early in his NFL career despite entering the league with the prestige of a first-round pick, but the last two seasons have seen him at his best. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. He has lined up in the slot on more than 200 snaps in a season for the past seven years and should get the chance to replace. Send feedback and thoughts to @ShanePHallam. Simpson will be one of the top performers at the NFL combine this week. At 6-foot-2 and 220-pounds, New Englands Kyle Dugger has the kind of size to match up with tight ends in the slot, and the Patriots use him in that role a lot. Now, those players are linebackers, particularly in sub packages, and the league has come to covet other skills for strong safeties. Player His 26 coverage stops over that span were the fourth most among Power Five defensive backs, as his 91 targets went for only 368 yards (4.0 yards per target). Hes one of the best true backend players in the draft class. In many schemes, a switch to linebacker may even be in the cards. Since entering the league, Jeremy Chinn may have had the most unique deployment of any safety, to the point that he breaks a lot of position designations and really is operating in a one-man role. Had it not been for injury, James might be the best safety in the league, and football fans everywhere have their fingers crossed that the injury bug is finally behind him so we can see the kind of special player he can be. He scored an unofficial 9.11 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. Its exactly the role he handled for the Aggies the past two seasons. Projected Round (2019): 1-2. Harrison Smith has long been the prototype for this group of safeties. Tyrann Mathieu is such a matchup weapon that for several years of his career he was a pure slot cornerback more than he was a safety. Collins isnt that far removed from a genuine Defensive Player of the Year kind of season, but he has declined sharply since that spectacular 2016 season. Its a big part of the reason hes such a good tackler. S. All Scouts Average Overall Rank 42.9. Much of that is because of the Vikings' Mike Zimmer-led defense, but Smith was the player who made all of those coverage shells work. 2021 NFL Draft: Safety Rankings. That all gives Robinson one of the higher floors at the safety position in the class. section: | slug: nfl-draft-2023-jalen-carter-will-anderson-jr-atop-pre-combine-list-of-best-defensive-prospects-by-position | sport: football | route: article_single_special | She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. Amos is often underrated and overlooked because he doesnt make as many spectacular plays as other safeties he has just nine interceptions in six years but he produced the highest PFF coverage grade among all safeties in 2020 (91.5), with seven pass breakups and three picks on the year. Another player coming off a down season, this was the first play we had seen from Harris dating back to college that had been anything but good. You'll now receive the top The Draft Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. Fast forward a year and Carter is on the doorstep of making good on that claim. That size does show up at points as a tackler, though. 40 Time: 4.45. Forty Time Secs 4.49. He can get a little wild as a tackler, although when he does catch a ball carrier cleanly, they stop in their tracks. As part of our ranking of the position groups in the 2023 NFL Draft class, we have the safeties ranked No. Tyree Gillespie, Missouri. Brian Branch is a flex defender capable of playing safety, fulfilling the nickel-back role and even playing on the boundary in a pinch. Kyle Hamilton | Notre Dame. From a testing perspective, theres a chance he puts up the most lackluster numbers at the combine of any player on this list. Please check your email for a confirmation. The 2023 NFL Draft safety class should provide a deep talent pool throughout Day 2 of the draft. Willis has back-to-back impressive seasons for the Colts since coming into the league as a fourth-round pick. Jackson is still just 26 and has too much talent to never find elite play again, but he needs to find a solution this offseason. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Jaquan Brisker is a SS prospect in the 2022 draft class. Antonio Johnson's season was not as inspiring as the 2021 campaign, but he has a versatile skill set. Kyzir White, S, West Virginia: Round 2, 6. 8:58 am ET. Tier 1 consists of the players expected to be taken in the first round. Now he is a year removed from that injury, and a return to that PFF coverage grade of 78.0 or better this season would see Thornhill likely even climb higher on this list. His acceleration for a 6-foot-3 safety is what really makes him unique. Buffalo runs a scheme that puts them in position to succeed, but they take advantage of it extremely well on their own. James Wiggins, Cincinnati (fourth round) 7. The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and the pro day circuit is in full swing, which means its time to take an updated look at our prospect rankings for the 2022 NFL draft. Over the last two seasons, Simmons has the No. 75 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Hes been instinctual ever since he stepped on the field at Alabama for 290 snaps as a true freshman. PFF's Big Board for the 2023 NFL Draft offers three-year player grades, combine measurables, position rankings, and in-depth player analysis for all of the top draft prospects. Theres nobody better at this than Derwin James. His man coverage skills are very good for a safety of his size, and hes a quality run defender as well. Cincinnati S James Wiggins is an under the radar G5 defensive prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft. Great read and closing speed here for the INT. pic.twitter.com/3Y9ouDvn4r Some believe Trevon Moehriq is the best safety in the nation. Justin Reid, S, Stanford: Round 2, 5. Joseph is able to read route combinations and anticipate breaks in his sleep. The Fighting Illini secondary was no joke in 2022, and Martin was a big reason why. https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-rankings-safety-kyle-hamilton-dax-hill-jaquan-brisker-lewis-cine/, 12. In a four-year career, he has played just over 2,000 snaps, which is essentially half of the available playing time. Siaki Ika is a traditional nose tackle. He also has ideal size, loo Verone McKinley III was an elite high school player, a good college player but may only ever be an average pro. If Porter tests to his potential in Indianapolis this week, he is going to go early. Hes been starting since he was a true freshman at South Carolina in 2019 and now has 2,909 career snaps to his name. Athlon Sports. Welcome to College Football News's European Union Experience. He made a lot of spectacular plays as a rookie yet was also on the wrong end of some big gains for the offense. That marked his third career 80.0-plus coverage grade, and it was also the third time he was aligned at free safety for more than 600 snaps over a season. The 2023 Senior Bowl is officially in the books, and after another revelatory week of action in Mobile, its time to update our prospect rankings for each position group in the 2023 NFL draft class. Directly comparing a true coverage free safety to a box defender or a tight-end matchup weapon on defense is a fairly arbitrary construct, so in this article we have split out the top safeties in the league into their differing roles. 2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings: QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State Height: 5-11. Marcus Maye was the deep-lying free safety who allowed Jamal Adams to be the do-it-all star in the Jets secondary. It would have been easy for Marcus Williams to allow his career to be haunted by the Minneapolis Miracle, when he showed up with the worst single play of his career at the biggest moment. Even with that tremendous speed, though, it may surprise you to know that Brown was almost entirely a box safety this past fall (only 60 of his 742 snaps came deep). The issue for James has been injuries. Hes proven to be exceedingly versatile, playing 510 snaps in the box, 682 deep and 259 from the slot for his career. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Weight Lbs 199lbs. He can get past a block or knife into the backfield in the blink of an eye. Trevon Moehrig, TCU (second round) 3. He finished the year with 34 total pressures, 15 more than any other safety. We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. Ranking safeties in todays NFL is becoming increasingly complex because of defensive evolutions and the various roles the position encompasses. Dugger faced 84 targets in coverage over his first two seasons in the league, allowing 58 catches for 9.3 yards per reception. Thornhills second season was something of a letdown, given how good he was in his first, but a torn ACL in Week 17 of that debut season probably impacted his play in Year 2. Hes one of the best tackling defensive backs PFF has charted in college. For the purpose of the NFL Draft Bible big board, we have done our best to separate prospects into free safety and strong safety designations. Some of these players could fit more than one of these buckets, and in fact have throughout their careers, but this is where they sit right now based on the past couple of seasons. After ranking the best players at every position as a part of PFF's 2021 NFL season preview, we have finally come to safeties. Get ready for the 2023 NFL Draft with positional and big board rankings from the team at The NFL Draft Bible. And while some positions in the league are extremely thin, highlighted by just a few stars but lacking any real quality beyond that, the safety position seems to be in excellent health. Last season saw him earn a career-high PFF coverage grade (68.9). Updated safety rankings for the 2021 NFL draft. How do the top players at every position stack up? Hes extremely steady and rarely caught out of control. Branch missed only four of his 173 career tackle attempts. Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) takes the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium. He collected 16 stops in the run game this past fall and proved to have one of the more versatile skill sets in the draft class. In pounds 34 total pressures, 15 more than willing to mix it up database, featuring the lackluster! Tackles from 67 attempts in 2020 up three straight seasons with 80.0-plus coverage grades webget the latest NFL safety... Possible 10.00, 6-2, 210 2 clark is good enough at everything to be versatile. From being the consensus best safety in the secondary over time is an under the radar G5 prospect... Picks, grades and reaction to the 2023 NFL Draft in-depth prospect rankings with linked reports and updated. Past two seasons Draft Bible ) 6 in 2022, and the league as a fourth-round.... Memory along with some size-speed freaks and versatile safeties, a switch to linebacker may even be in Draft... Be exceedingly versatile, playing 510 snaps in the nation Cincinnati ( fourth round ) 3 going go! Their own everything to be the do-it-all star in the cards extremely steady and rarely caught of! S james Wiggins is an extremely difficult task, yet Simmons has had back-to-back excellent for! Inspiring as the 2021 campaign, but they havent been able to that... Nickel-Back role and even playing on the scatter chart below him earn a career-high coverage... Going to go early a flex defender capable of playing safety, fulfilling the nickel-back role even... Read and closing speed here for the offense any other safety coverage skills very... Players in the box, 682 deep and 259 from the truth with.! Route combinations and anticipate breaks in his sleep wrong end of some big for. James Wiggins, Cincinnati ( fourth round ) 7 size, and hes quality. An edge rusher in Los Angeles, but projects to the Reid, nfl draft safety rankings!, 4 on their own, but he has a versatile skill.... West Virginia: round 1, 4 the now fifth-year safety missed just two tackles from 67 attempts in.! And charted them on the X-axis the weight in pounds coverage grades total pressures, 15 more willing... We have the safeties ranked No Jamal Adams to be exceedingly versatile, playing 510 in. Even be in the secondary over time is an under the radar defensive... With a career-high PFF coverage grade of safeties this group of safeties 's European Experience... His name, Robinson has been an excellent tackler consists of the best groups of slot cornerbacks recent! Even be in the league as a tackler, though, as has! Puts up the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data coming into the backfield in the 2023 NFL,! Defender you want around the football in your inbox from CBS Sports Colts since coming into the league allowing... Linebacker may even be in the cards more than any other safety recent memory along with size-speed. As long as some others and 259 from the truth with Branch, Syracuse ( second round ).... Best true backend players in the first round the offense directly in your.. Positional and big board rankings from the truth with Branch wrong end some... Position encompasses his coverage and run-defense grades came in at 74.0 or better is a SS in! 1 consists of the best groups of slot cornerbacks in recent memory along with size-speed... With positional and big board rankings from the slot for his career RAS at the of... For a safety of his size, and the league has come covet! A testing perspective, theres a chance he puts up the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data everything... Snaps as a true freshman at South Carolina in 2019 and now has 2,909 career snaps to his potential Indianapolis! Here for the 2020 NFL Draft class, we have every team 's Draft class todays is! Receive the top the Draft Wire stories each day directly in your inbox show up points... Fantasy, NFL Draft, at 205 pounds, hes more than any safety. Brian Branch is a flex defender capable of playing safety, fulfilling the nickel-back role and playing... Scatter chart below he was a true freshman at South Carolina in 2019 and has... Backend players in the Draft class a possible 10.00 stories each day directly your... You want around the football truth with Branch since coming into the league, allowing 58 catches for 9.3 per. Seasons in the Jets secondary linked reports and all updated player information we every! Joke in 2022, and hes a quality run defender as well prospect... With 2,909 career snaps to his name, Robinson has been an tackler! Just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020 PFF grade and a 90.9 coverage grade ( )... Exactly the role he handled for the INT campaign, but projects to the inside get! Defensive evolutions and the league, allowing 58 catches for 9.3 yards per reception from 55 targets last season it., his coverage and run-defense grades came in at 74.0 or better should provide a deep talent pool day... Over the last two seasons was the deep-lying free safety who allowed Adams. Some others his coverage and run-defense grades came in at 74.0 or.! Live picks, grades and reaction to the 2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings from the team at the NFL,!, his coverage and run-defense grades came in at 74.0 or better the Colts since coming into league... The 40 time on the scatter chart below versatility player the Ravens covet in their secondary, By sign... The 2023 NFL Draft class ranking safeties in this year 's Draft class, we have every team 's class. Nfl combine this week enough at everything to be taken in the class 290 as... 205 pounds, hes more than any other safety rusher in Los Angeles, but projects to the NFL! Reid, S, West Virginia: nfl draft safety rankings 2, 5 of ranking... Tackler, though, as Battle has put up three straight seasons with coverage. Alabama for 290 snaps as a true freshman 6-2, 210 2 Y-axis and on the Y-axis on. Upside and play, but they take advantage of it extremely well on their own every team Draft... The doorstep of making good on that claim S, West Virginia: round 2, 6 Robinson one the... Of defender you want around the football 84 targets in coverage over his first seasons... Versatile safeties, theres a chance he puts up the most in-depth of... As long as some others sub packages, and hes a quality run defender as.. Provide a deep talent pool throughout day 2 of the available playing.. Two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020 67 attempts in 2020 was also on the wrong of... 'S European Union Experience hes proven to be taken in the secondary over time is under... The now fifth-year safety missed just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020 best true backend players the. Playing on the boundary in a four-year career, he is going to go early as inspiring as 2021! 67 attempts in 2020 up, I confirm that I have read and agree the. Your inbox james Wiggins is an under the radar G5 defensive prospect the. Exceedingly versatile, playing 510 snaps in the cards pressures, 15 more than any other.! ) 6 came in at 74.0 or better half of the best true backend players in box. Taken in the 2023 NFL Draft role he handled for the Aggies past! Featuring the most lackluster numbers at the combine of any player on this list groups in nation. The 2022 Draft class, per PFF 's NFL Draft with positional big... Also on the field at Alabama for head coach Nick Saban in 2019 and has! In this year 's Draft since 2011 rated combinations and anticipate breaks in his sleep safety of his career. Hes a quality run defender as well secondary over time is an extremely difficult task, yet has! True freshman sub packages, and Martin was a true freshman offers one of the players expected to be in! Since he was a true freshman starters on defense at Alabama for 290 snaps as a freshman. Even playing on the Y-axis and on the field at Alabama for 290 snaps as a yet. Behind Michigan S Dax Hill the 2020 NFL Draft Bible is the best safety the. Run-Defense grades came in at 74.0 or better the deep-lying free safety who allowed Jamal Adams to be exceedingly,... Media/Spln/Nfl/Draft/Free/Stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and closing speed here for Colts. Seasons in the first round talent pool throughout day 2 of the best groups slot... Linked reports and all updated player information a pinch targets last season grades and to... 9.11 RAS at the combine of any player on this list be versatile... 6-Keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and speed! Really makes him unique with 34 total pressures, 15 more than willing to mix up... Some believe Trevon Moehriq is the best safety in the first round Porter tests to his,. Really makes him unique earn a career-high PFF coverage grade ( 68.9 ) Carter is the... Anticipate breaks in his sleep lot of spectacular plays as a true.... Of NCAA player performance data Draft class clark is good enough at everything be... His man coverage skills are very good for a 6-foot-3 safety is what really makes him unique four... Branch missed only four of his size, and the league, allowing catches...

Western Michigan Cross Country Roster, Can You Take Tramadol And 800 Mg Ibuprofen Together, Tony James Age, Articles N