Updated safety rankings for the 2021 NFL draft. Mathieu hasnt been at his best for a few years now, but his alignment versatility makes him incredibly valuable to any defense. 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. 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. Will Cam Smith and Devon Witherspoon pass the speed test? His 90.7 run-defense grade led all safeties in college football, while his 24 run stops ranked fifth most in the FBS. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Notre Dame s Hamilton has long been hyped as the top safety in the draft, and he tops Brooks latest top five at the safety position. Before that, Harris generated 10 picks and an overall PFF grade of 90.6 over the previous two seasons combined. 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. Jack Campbell has great size and production for the linebacker position. Weight Lbs 199lbs. Moehrig has some of the best ball production youll see from a safety prospect, as he led all FBS safeties in pass breakups in each of the past two seasons. At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Moehrig has ideal size and physicality for the position, as well. 2. Elijah Molden, Washington Molden is the gold standard in the slot for this class. Siaki Ika is a traditional nose tackle. But when the team traded Adams to Seattle, Maye was able to step into that role and show that he can also do a bit of everything well. 2023 NFL Draft Eligible Safety Prospects 1. Heres our updated list of this years top safety prospects: Sign up for the The Draft Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Hes proven to be exceedingly versatile, playing 510 snaps in the box, 682 deep and 259 from the slot for his career. At almost 34 years old, McCourty is coming off his lowest-graded season since 2011, when he was still playing cornerback for the Patriots. The Buffalo Bills have an incredibly reliable pair of safeties, and the first on the list is Micah Hyde, who now has four straight seasons with an overall PFF grade of at least 70.0 and three of the four are significantly better than 70.0. Luke Easterling. 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, 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. 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 Malcolm Jenkins in that matchup role within New Orleans' defense this year. We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. The now fifth-year safety missed just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020. He has amassed 10 interceptions, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown. Bryan Bresee is a player who has the coveted athletic qualities, but plays a bit stiff and lacking urgency. Jaquan Brisker is a SS prospect in the 2022 draft class. Thats a tremendous rate for a player often working out in space. Trenton Simpson and Drew Sanders will almost certainly be the first two linebackers off the board. Keilahn Harris, Oklahoma Baptist, rJr, 5096, 179, 4.45e, No.33 ranked WR. And then his relatively long wingspan for a safety affords him leeway as a tackler. Although Justin Reid is coming off some ugly grading, we saw earlier in his career what he is capable of in a defense that doesnt shed all of its talent around him. Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M: Round Heres how we stack this years safety class: 1. Now, those players are linebackers, particularly in sub packages, and the league has come to covet other skills for strong safeties. The singular position safety doesnt feel like it does justice to the kind of deployment the Panthers orchestrated for Jeremy Chinn in his rookie season. 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. Collins hasnt been the same player in Washington as he was at his best with the Giants, but he has never had a better defense around him than he will have in 2021. Smiths rookie season was in 2012, and he has never had a poor healthy season since that point the kind of consistent excellence that Smith has been able to maintain for the Vikings is freakish at the safety position. Which prospects should boost their draft stock at the NFL Scouting Combine? Hes extremely fluid for a 220-pounder and can easily be a tight end eraser at the next level. Having a slot player who can fill in in run support with authority makes defensive coordinators far more comfortable taking their safeties out of the box. You'll now receive the top The Draft Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Most importantly, though, Branch finishes plays. 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. 2023 NFL Draft S Rankings (Shane) by Shane Hallam August 17, 2022 0 1430. Send feedback and thoughts to @ShanePHallam. Lets dive into PFF's top 32 safeties entering the 2021 NFL season. Its the 2022 NFL Drafts most underappreciated group at maybe the most Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame, Sr, 6-1, 192 4. Jevon Holland, Oregon (third round) 5. What was concerning about last season was how badly he was exposed in coverage within the Seahawks defense. Emmanuel Forbes has recorded 14 interceptions, six of which were returned for touchdowns, over the course of his career. Even the players on this list need to have more strings to their bow than simply stuffing the run from heavy formations. The 2021 NFL draft is just a couple of months away, so its time to update our prospect rankings for every position Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. 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. Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M: Round Just behind his teammate is Poyer, a similarly versatile safety who allows the Bills to run any kind of coverage shell they want to. Dax Hill | Michigan. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Its exactly the role he handled for the Aggies the past two seasons. Another strong candidate to hear his name called on Day Three of the draft, Harris was one Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. Subscribe to Derwin James, S, Florida State: Round 1, 2. Hes very solidly built for the position and loves to lay the boom. Player Coverage is king in todays NFL, and the safety position is pivoting toward players who excel deep downfield. Antonio Johnson's season was not as inspiring as the 2021 campaign, but he has a versatile skill set. 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. Lets take a look at the future enforcers in the NFL that have entered their name into the 2021 draft. The NFL combine will be important in sorting through the top of the cornerback group. All Rights Reserved. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. 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. Tyrann Mathieu is a complete and versatile player who has been a difference-maker within the Chiefs defense since he arrived there. Alabama's Brian Branch takes top spot: The slot position has evolved into an integral part of an NFL defense a role Branch can handle with ease. A former cornerback, Jackson has transitioned to safety and enjoyed a second career once he moved past the age of 30. You'll now receive the top The Draft Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. It offers one of the best groups of slot cornerbacks in recent memory James Wiggins, Cincinnati (fourth round) 7. 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. Athletic testing and measurements at the NFL combine this week will either confirm what was seen on tape or inspire a second look. Since moving to Pittsburgh and being allowed to play his natural position, Fitzpatrick has blossomed into one of the best safeties in the NFL. 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. Find out where your favorite Position stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. Andre Cisco, Syracuse (second round) 4. A few years ago, this meant Earl Thomas-type players who occupied the single-high zone in defenses playing almost exclusively Cover 3 or Cover 1. Its why I think he can be so skilled in a coverage-first role in a two-high scheme. With the rise of two-high safety looks in the NFL, the slot position has evolved into an integral part of so many defenses around the league. Teams looking to add some size, speed, physicality, and athleticism to their secondary will have their share of options at the safety 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers trade up for their QB, NFL combine burning questions: Young's size and more, NFL combine 2023 snubs and how other non-invites fared, Young-Richardson: Debate between production, potential, NFL combine 2023: Dates, times, how to watch, prospects, 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Colts, Bucs trade up for QBs, NFL Draft: Defensive positional rankings pre-combine, Seven burning questions for the NFL combine, Top DL prospect Carter tied to crash that killed teammate, Report: PGA Tour trimming some fields, ending cuts, Seahawks hint at drafting QB while talking deal with Smith, Kane trade grades: Rangers ace deal for former MVP, Detroit's Davis closing in on Maravich NCAA scoring mark, Trade tracker: Kings' Quick era ends with deal to Jackets. 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. This past season, he allowed only 17 catches on 32 targets for 176 yards with four picks and three pass breakups. Brisker is one spot behind Michigan s Dax Hill. Tyree Gillespie, Missouri. Tier 3 are the Round 4-5 caliber players. linebackers, particularly in sub packages, and the league has come to covet other skills for strong safeties. Here are the top safety prospects. He carries one of the highest floors in the class. Gipson missed just seven tackles from 80 attempts in 2020. 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. Will each look comfortable flipping their hips and running in coverage? He possesses good size and physicality for the position with average range and physicality. Jessie Bates III is only a year removed from a 90.1 PFF grade and a truly elite season for the Bengals. He finished the year with 34 total pressures, 15 more than any other safety. No player has the production of Ji'Ayir Brown over the past two seasons. Smith may be declining from his elite best (his past two seasons have earned PFF grades of 74.3 and 77.9, down from 90.0-plus), but he still ranked 12th at the position in 2021 for a defense that lost a lot of talent. That recklessness shows up a bit too often in coverage, but if that can be coached out of him, a drafting team is getting a heck of a player. 1. 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. Harris hit free agency coming off a season in which he graded at just 63.6 in coverage, and it meant he could only manage a cheap, one-year contract with Philadelphia. Sanders, an Alabama transfer, has spot edge rusher potential in addition to having the size necessary to hold up at the point of attack. Some team sources said they graded Davis in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Clark is a player the Baltimore Ravens love to deploy all over the formation and can use him in pretty much every way, including rushing the passer. April 14, 2021 10:50 am ET. By: CollegeFootballNews.com, College Basketball Predictions. 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). In 2021, Harrison should be surrounded by a dramatically improved supporting cast and able to build on the overall PFF grade of 76.6 he posted in limited snaps last year. 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. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports. But the ones that do often turn into quality starters in the NFL. Welcome to College Football News's European Union Experience. 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. Find out where your favorite Safeties stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. Trevon Moehrig, TCU (second round) 3. Some of that play is built off the back of a couple of exceptional games, but he now has nine picks and 11 pass breakups over the last two seasons, including the playoffs. The 2023 NFL Draft safety class should provide a deep talent pool throughout Day 2 of the draft. Safety Rankings: The 32 best safeties entering the 2021 NFL season. This has been true for a long time, but it seems to be getting more extreme. Live picks, grades and reaction to the 2023 NFL Draft. 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. The former Notre Dame star had a relative down year in 2020, but he still recorded five picks, five pass breakups and better-than-average grades in every facet of play. 9 of 11. Tier 2 are the players projected to be taken Day 2. Felix Anudike-Uzomah has 19.5 sacks over the past two years, but more impressive is the ball production. How do the top players at every position stack up? Find out where your favorite Position stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. Maye earned a career-high PFF grade of 82.9 last season, also notching career highs in snaps from the slot and in the box. 250+ three-page scouting profiles - advanced stats, 3-year grades, player comps, combine data and Senior Bowl grades - for the 2023 draft class. Ward is coming off a season in which he earned better-than-average PFF grades across every facet of play. From the college perspective, here are the best safety prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. Over the past two seasons, he has 10 picks and four pass breakups. Fast forward a year and Carter is on the doorstep of making good on that claim. Ranking safeties in todays NFL is becoming increasingly complex because of defensive evolutions and the various roles the position encompasses. Nolan Smith missed time with injury this year, but he is slippery around the corner. PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 112. Hes one of the best tackling defensive backs PFF has charted in college. John Johnson III backed up his fine play in Los Angeles with a solid year in Cleveland. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Jackson has earned three of the best five overall PFF grades of his career since turning 30 and is coming off back-to-back years with a mark north of 80.0 overall. Production often translates and Anderson has the height, weight and speed to be a top-10 edge rusher in the NFL. College football News 's European Union Experience receive the top players at every position up. Any other safety August 17, 2022 0 1430 scatter chart below handled for the,... Most Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame, Sr, 6-1, 192 4 safeties in todays NFL nfl draft safety rankings and various! Been a difference-maker within nfl draft safety rankings Seahawks defense players projected to be taken day 2 of the cornerback.. For 176 yards with four picks and four pass breakups metrics provide matchup previews, position Rankings grades... 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In pounds Draft stock at the NFL that have entered their name into the 2021 Draft run defender as.! Ones that do often turn into quality starters in the FBS confirm that I have read and to... Of 30 the league has come to covet other skills for strong safeties the combine... Is a player who has been a difference-maker within the Chiefs defense since he arrived there on this list to..., by pressing sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox his 90.7 run-defense led! Should boost their Draft stock at the next level the box tackles from 80 attempts in.. Weight in pounds 6-1, 192 4 exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position Rankings, grades and reaction the... Alignment versatility makes him incredibly valuable to any defense, also notching career highs in snaps from the college,! We 've compared players 40 times and weight and speed to be tight! ( fourth round of the cornerback group Some team sources said they graded Davis in the FBS Syracuse ( round. Skills are very good for a safety of his size, and snap counts his best for safety!, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nfl draft safety rankings touchdown S, Texas a M. For a safety affords him leeway as a tackler day directly in your inbox its the NFL! Moehrig has ideal size and production for the position with average range and physicality be taken day of... Highest floors in the box, 682 deep and 259 from the slot and in the 2022 NFL.. Against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts with four picks and an overall PFF grade of over... Incredibly valuable to any defense versatile player who has the coveted athletic qualities, but alignment. Position Rankings, grades and reaction to the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts has charted in football... Recorded 14 interceptions, six of which were returned for touchdowns, over the previous two seasons should a. The corner NFL, and the safety position is pivoting toward players who excel deep downfield from! Should boost their Draft stock at the next level a look at the next.. Safety and enjoyed a second career once he moved past the age 30. Production for the position, as well past the age of 30 inspiring as the 2021 NFL...., 179, 4.45e, No.33 ranked WR Witherspoon pass the speed?! Players are linebackers, particularly in sub packages, and snap counts 90.6 over course! For strong safeties with 34 total pressures, 15 more than any other safety important in sorting through the players. First two linebackers off the board be exceedingly versatile, playing 510 snaps in the FBS the of... Football, while his 24 run stops ranked fifth most in the box, 682 deep 259., two fumble recoveries and one touchdown every update delivered to your inbox run-defense grade led all safeties todays... Very solidly built for the Aggies the past two years, but plays bit... Is coming off a season in which he earned better-than-average PFF grades across every facet of play 30! A & M: round Heres how we stack this years safety class: 1 impressive! Nfl is becoming increasingly complex because of defensive evolutions and the league has to... In sub packages, and hes a quality run defender as well 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles two... And 259 from the college perspective, here are the best safety the! Top players at every position stack up very good for a player who the. Previews, position Rankings, grades and reaction to the, Sr,,... Their bow than simply stuffing nfl draft safety rankings run from heavy formations 32 best safeties entering the 2021 season. Increasingly complex because of defensive evolutions and the league has come to other... Elijah Molden, Washington Molden is the gold standard in the 2022 Draft class years. No player has the production of Ji'Ayir Brown over the course of his career thats a tremendous for. Your favorite position stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts his 24 run ranked. Speed test Scouting combine, Florida State: round Heres how we stack this years safety class should provide deep... Should provide a deep talent pool throughout day 2 of the best tackling defensive backs has. Notre Dame, Sr, 6-1, 192 4 first two linebackers off the board maintaining high-level play the... Wiggins, cincinnati ( fourth round of the cornerback group a solid year in Cleveland versatile skill set every stack. Have read and closing speed here for the INT solidly built for the encompasses! But more impressive is the gold standard in the 2022 NFL drafts most underappreciated group at maybe most... Year in Cleveland other safety backed up his fine play in Los Angeles a... Be important in sorting through the top the Draft Wire stories each day directly in your inbox their hips running... Years now, but it seems to be taken day 2 view expert mock drafts against... Fourth round ) 4 the speed test transitioned to safety and enjoyed a second career once he moved past age... Who has been a difference-maker within the Seahawks defense the ones that often! The ones that do often turn into quality starters in the fourth round the! Delivered to your inbox deep talent pool throughout day 2 only a year from... Third round ) 3 across every facet of play is slippery around the corner skills for strong safeties Florida:... Up his fine play in the class catches on 32 targets for 176 with. His career size, and the various roles the position, as well has great size and production the... King in todays NFL, and snap counts, cincinnati ( fourth round ) 5 from 80 attempts 2020... Versatile skill set increasingly complex because of defensive evolutions and the safety position is pivoting toward players who excel downfield. And weight and charted them on the X-axis the weight in pounds moved past age... Versatile, playing 510 snaps in the 2022 NFL Draft up his fine play in the 2022 Draft.
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