Post by JABF on Feb 19, 2017 8:44:27 GMT -6
This was updated last week. It looks like this could be a good year to draft a safety.
LINK
Malik Hooker**, S, Ohio State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Projected Round (2017): Top-10 Pick.
2/11/17: WalterFootball.com was first to report that Hooker would be out 4-6 months after surgeries to repair a hernia and labrum injury. That could cause Hooker to slide some in the first round and maybe not be the first safety selected.
Hooker was one of the breakout draft prospects in 2016. He totaled 74 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, .5 sacks, four passes broken up and seven interceptions with three returned for touchdowns on the season.
The evaluators who love Hooker feel he is a safety who can do it all. In coverage, he is fast and athletic with the skills to defend the deep part of the field. Sources also say Hooker has the length and strength to play in the tackle box. They also like how Hooker drives down on the ball. They feel he is a fast, rangy defender with good ball skills.
Two top national scouts from NFC teams said that Hooker's skill set is the best they've seen from a safety since Eric Berry. They like Hooker more than Jamal Adams or Jabrill Peppers. One scout said, in his opinion, Hooker could end up being an elite safety prospect comparable to Berry or the late Sean Taylor. Many in the scouting community feel that Taylor was the best of the best in terms of safety prospects this century. Multiple teams graded Hooker as a top-10 pick, and others have him as a top-20 selection.
Some other team sources said they have been impressed by Hooker, but at this point, think he would be rated behind Adams and Peppers for them. Numerous team sources believe that Hooker is going to end up being their top-rated safety for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jamal Adams*, S, LSU
Height: 6-1. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2017): Top-25 Pick.
2/11/17: Adams had 76 tackles in 2016 with four passes broken and one interception. Early on, he made some nice plays, but wasn't as big of a presence as in 2015. That changed around mid-season as Adams turned in superb games against Ole Miss and Alabama. He helped shut down Rebels receiving tight end Evan Engram and was all over the field against Alabama with an interception, clutch tackles and big plays on special teams.
8/20/16: In 2015, Adams had 67 tackles with six passes broken up and four interceptions. As a freshman, he had 66 tackles with five pass breakups. Adams has versatile size and brings a real presence to the Tigers' defense. He is an instinctive defender who always seems to be around the ball.
In pass coverage, Adams is extremely instinctive. He is very good at covering a lot of ground and helping his cornerbacks over the top. The junior is a reliable last line of defense. Adams is adept at reading a quarterback's eyes and breaking on the ball. By being around the ball so much, Adams puts himself in position to make a lot of big plays. He has good hands and ball skills to create interceptions, particularly. In zone coverage, Adams is very dangerous as he uses his instincts and intelligence to get in position to affect passing routes.
In run defense, Adams is a reliable tackler who flies around the field. He will come downhill and pop running backs in the tackle box or on the perimeter. Adams is a reliable tackler and doesn't miss a lot of plays because he is going for knockout blows.
I think Adams will be a dangerous weapon in the NFL and could be a potential Pro Bowl safety. He has the versatility to play in all parts of the field. With his pass-coverage skills, speed, athleticism and instincts, Adams could be a difference-maker.
Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
Height: 6-4. Weight: 219. Arm: 32.63. Hand: 8.75.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
2/11/17: Every year, there are some size/speed freaks who rise up draft boards, and Melifonwu will be one of those prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft. Melifonwu has great size and also is a fast defender. He was superb at the Senior Bowl as he showed real coverage skills in the passing game. He is not tight and has the ability to contribute in man coverage. Melifonwu created a real buzz and could go off the board late in the first round.
The senior totaled 118 tackles with three passes broken up and four interceptions in 2016. As a junior in 2015, he had 88 tackles with two interceptions and five passes broken up.
Sources say that Melifonwu needs development, and thus, they have him graded later on Day 3; however, they think the team that likes Melifonwu enough to draft him could do so in the mid-rounds.
Jabrill Peppers*, S, Michigan
Height: 6-1. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.40.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
2/11/17: Peppers had a good 2016 season for Michigan with 72 tackles, 16 for a loss, four sacks and one forced fumble. He was phenomenal on punt returns. Peppers also contributed on offense with 17 carries for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
The media has been busy overhyping Peppers to a degree. In speaking to NFL evaluators, they think Peppers is a great athlete who has some deficiencies in pass coverage. That is evidenced by his one interception during his entire career. Sources say they are projecting Peppers to be a hybrid dime linebacker and safety, similar to Arizona's Deone Bucannon. Peppers could go late in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but slipping to Round 2 is possible.
8/20/16: Some scouts tell WalterFootball.com that their early impression of Peppers is that he is a better athlete than Jalen Ramsey, the fifth-overall pick to the Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft. Peppers mainly played strong safety for Michigan in 2015, totaling 45 tackles with 10 passes broken up. On offense, he was a gadget player with 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. Peppers also had eight receptions for 79 yards. He averaged 11.4 yards per punt return as well.
I feel that Peppers, as a defensive back, is a better fit as a safety than a corner. He has some instincts and is quick to diagnosis rushing plays. Peppers is also a physical tackler and doesn't hesitate to run into the scrum to make a tackle. In pass coverage, he has played a variety of techniques. Peppers has played some press-man cornerback on the outside, some off-man coverage over slot receivers, some off-man coverage against tight ends, and some zone coverage in the middle of the field. Michigan hasn't lined him up deep as a free safety, however. As a press-man corner, Peppers has the skills to battle big possession receivers. He looks a little slow to react in off-man coverage to flip his hips and run, so he can be caught flat-footed. There have been times when slot receivers and tight ends achieved some separation because of that.
I think Peppers is more of a safety for the NFL as well. With some development, I think he could be a nice weapon to be a strong safety who also contributes to playing man coverage against pass-receiving tight ends. Peppers is a good tackler and willing run defender, so playing in or around the tackle box shouldn't be a problem for him.
Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
Height: 6-0. Weight: 193. Arm: 30.88. Hand: 9.75.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
2/11/17: Evans is a strong safety type who is a good run defender and a strong eighth man in the box. He has some coverage skills, but is more of a strong safety for the NFL.
In 2016, the senior recorded 85 tackles with six passes broken up and four interceptions. Evans created a real buzz with his Week 1 game against UCLA, and there is talk that he could be a first-round pick. In the season opener, Evans made eight tackles and two interceptions.
Evans has good size and is a good tackler in the tackle box. Evans had 78 tackle with three pass breakups and one interception in 2015.
Marcus Williams, S, Utah
Height: 6-1. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
2/11/17: Williams had a quality 2016 season with 64 tackles, three passes broken up, five interceptions and two forced fumbles. He put together a tremendous 2015 season for the Utes with five interceptions, five passes broken up and 66 tackles. It was a breakout sophomore season for Williams after he recorded 59 tackles with an interception as a freshman. He could use more strength and weight to tackle in the NFL.
Marcus Maye, S, Florida
Height: 5-11. Weight: 203.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
2/11/17: In 2016, Maye recorded 50 tackles with one interception and six passes broken up. His season ended early due to a broken left arm, but he did accept an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
In many games over his career, Maye made a lot of impressive plays, but also would bust here or there and hurt his team with a huge play. He was often the last line of defense, so when he had a bust, it led to points for the offense. Maye also made a number of touchdown-saving tackles.
Sources say they like Maye, but that he frustrates them with his tendency to give up some plays he shouldn't allow to happen. They say he is athletic with decent range, good in coverage underneath in the short area, and a nice fit in the box against the run. His off-man coverage against tight ends, on the other hand, they label as not great. Too much space for Maye is a bad thing as he struggles going backward. He is at his best coming forward in the short area. Teams see Maye as a second-round caliber player who might end up going late in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
8/20/16: Maye totaled 82 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions in 2015. He was a solid free safety for Florida and generally a good deep center fielder, but he had an ugly performance against Alabama in the SEC Championship and didn't finish well against Michigan in the bowl game. Sources say Maye has good free safety pass-coverage potential for the NFL, but has some kinks to work out.
After a rough start to 2014, Maye showed some improvement as a starter over the course of the year. He was put in some man situations in Will Muschamp's defense and didn't perform all that well, but he finished the year well. Maye recorded 62 tackles with an interception and five passes broken up that season.
Budda Baker*, S, Washington
Height: 5-10. Weight: 192.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
2/11/17: In 2016, Baker had 71 tackles with two interceptions and six passes broken up. He needs to get stronger to tackle in the NFL, but he is a fast safety who flies around the field. Baker has the ability to help in pass coverage and is a willing tackler in the ground game. Returning for his senior year and adding strength probably would have been his best route before going pro.
8/20/16: In 2015, Baker recorded 49 tackles with seven passes broken up and two interceptions. He had 80 tackles, six pass breakups and an interception as a freshman.
Montae Nicholson*, S, Michigan State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 219.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2017): 2-4.
2/11/17: Sources have said they really like Nicholson's skill set. He was a surprise early entry into the 2017 NFL Draft, and some teams feel that he has staring potential quickly in the NFL. As a junior, Nicholson recorded 89 tackles with two passes broken up and one interception. He had a quality sophomore season with 83 tackles, two passes broken up and three interceptions. Nicholson has a serious combination of size and speed.
Johnathan 'Rudy' Ford, S, Auburn
Height: 5-11. Weight: 200. Arm: 30.25. Hand: 9.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
2/11/17: Ford had 59 tackles with seven passes broken up in 2016. He is a solid, but unspectacular, defender for Auburn who can contribute in pass coverage and run defense. Ford had a quality week of practice at the Senior Bowl.
8/20/16: Ford has been a solid defender for Auburn the past few seasons. In 2015, he totaled 118 tackles with one sack, two passes broken up and two interceptions, plus showed that he is a threat as a kick returner. As a sophomore, Ford had 93 tackles with three interceptions.
Malik Hooker**, S, Ohio State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Projected Round (2017): Top-10 Pick.
2/11/17: WalterFootball.com was first to report that Hooker would be out 4-6 months after surgeries to repair a hernia and labrum injury. That could cause Hooker to slide some in the first round and maybe not be the first safety selected.
Hooker was one of the breakout draft prospects in 2016. He totaled 74 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, .5 sacks, four passes broken up and seven interceptions with three returned for touchdowns on the season.
The evaluators who love Hooker feel he is a safety who can do it all. In coverage, he is fast and athletic with the skills to defend the deep part of the field. Sources also say Hooker has the length and strength to play in the tackle box. They also like how Hooker drives down on the ball. They feel he is a fast, rangy defender with good ball skills.
Two top national scouts from NFC teams said that Hooker's skill set is the best they've seen from a safety since Eric Berry. They like Hooker more than Jamal Adams or Jabrill Peppers. One scout said, in his opinion, Hooker could end up being an elite safety prospect comparable to Berry or the late Sean Taylor. Many in the scouting community feel that Taylor was the best of the best in terms of safety prospects this century. Multiple teams graded Hooker as a top-10 pick, and others have him as a top-20 selection.
Some other team sources said they have been impressed by Hooker, but at this point, think he would be rated behind Adams and Peppers for them. Numerous team sources believe that Hooker is going to end up being their top-rated safety for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jamal Adams*, S, LSU
Height: 6-1. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2017): Top-25 Pick.
2/11/17: Adams had 76 tackles in 2016 with four passes broken and one interception. Early on, he made some nice plays, but wasn't as big of a presence as in 2015. That changed around mid-season as Adams turned in superb games against Ole Miss and Alabama. He helped shut down Rebels receiving tight end Evan Engram and was all over the field against Alabama with an interception, clutch tackles and big plays on special teams.
8/20/16: In 2015, Adams had 67 tackles with six passes broken up and four interceptions. As a freshman, he had 66 tackles with five pass breakups. Adams has versatile size and brings a real presence to the Tigers' defense. He is an instinctive defender who always seems to be around the ball.
In pass coverage, Adams is extremely instinctive. He is very good at covering a lot of ground and helping his cornerbacks over the top. The junior is a reliable last line of defense. Adams is adept at reading a quarterback's eyes and breaking on the ball. By being around the ball so much, Adams puts himself in position to make a lot of big plays. He has good hands and ball skills to create interceptions, particularly. In zone coverage, Adams is very dangerous as he uses his instincts and intelligence to get in position to affect passing routes.
In run defense, Adams is a reliable tackler who flies around the field. He will come downhill and pop running backs in the tackle box or on the perimeter. Adams is a reliable tackler and doesn't miss a lot of plays because he is going for knockout blows.
I think Adams will be a dangerous weapon in the NFL and could be a potential Pro Bowl safety. He has the versatility to play in all parts of the field. With his pass-coverage skills, speed, athleticism and instincts, Adams could be a difference-maker.
Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
Height: 6-4. Weight: 219. Arm: 32.63. Hand: 8.75.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
2/11/17: Every year, there are some size/speed freaks who rise up draft boards, and Melifonwu will be one of those prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft. Melifonwu has great size and also is a fast defender. He was superb at the Senior Bowl as he showed real coverage skills in the passing game. He is not tight and has the ability to contribute in man coverage. Melifonwu created a real buzz and could go off the board late in the first round.
The senior totaled 118 tackles with three passes broken up and four interceptions in 2016. As a junior in 2015, he had 88 tackles with two interceptions and five passes broken up.
Sources say that Melifonwu needs development, and thus, they have him graded later on Day 3; however, they think the team that likes Melifonwu enough to draft him could do so in the mid-rounds.
Jabrill Peppers*, S, Michigan
Height: 6-1. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.40.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
2/11/17: Peppers had a good 2016 season for Michigan with 72 tackles, 16 for a loss, four sacks and one forced fumble. He was phenomenal on punt returns. Peppers also contributed on offense with 17 carries for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
The media has been busy overhyping Peppers to a degree. In speaking to NFL evaluators, they think Peppers is a great athlete who has some deficiencies in pass coverage. That is evidenced by his one interception during his entire career. Sources say they are projecting Peppers to be a hybrid dime linebacker and safety, similar to Arizona's Deone Bucannon. Peppers could go late in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but slipping to Round 2 is possible.
8/20/16: Some scouts tell WalterFootball.com that their early impression of Peppers is that he is a better athlete than Jalen Ramsey, the fifth-overall pick to the Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft. Peppers mainly played strong safety for Michigan in 2015, totaling 45 tackles with 10 passes broken up. On offense, he was a gadget player with 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. Peppers also had eight receptions for 79 yards. He averaged 11.4 yards per punt return as well.
I feel that Peppers, as a defensive back, is a better fit as a safety than a corner. He has some instincts and is quick to diagnosis rushing plays. Peppers is also a physical tackler and doesn't hesitate to run into the scrum to make a tackle. In pass coverage, he has played a variety of techniques. Peppers has played some press-man cornerback on the outside, some off-man coverage over slot receivers, some off-man coverage against tight ends, and some zone coverage in the middle of the field. Michigan hasn't lined him up deep as a free safety, however. As a press-man corner, Peppers has the skills to battle big possession receivers. He looks a little slow to react in off-man coverage to flip his hips and run, so he can be caught flat-footed. There have been times when slot receivers and tight ends achieved some separation because of that.
I think Peppers is more of a safety for the NFL as well. With some development, I think he could be a nice weapon to be a strong safety who also contributes to playing man coverage against pass-receiving tight ends. Peppers is a good tackler and willing run defender, so playing in or around the tackle box shouldn't be a problem for him.
Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
Height: 6-0. Weight: 193. Arm: 30.88. Hand: 9.75.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
2/11/17: Evans is a strong safety type who is a good run defender and a strong eighth man in the box. He has some coverage skills, but is more of a strong safety for the NFL.
In 2016, the senior recorded 85 tackles with six passes broken up and four interceptions. Evans created a real buzz with his Week 1 game against UCLA, and there is talk that he could be a first-round pick. In the season opener, Evans made eight tackles and two interceptions.
Evans has good size and is a good tackler in the tackle box. Evans had 78 tackle with three pass breakups and one interception in 2015.
Marcus Williams, S, Utah
Height: 6-1. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
2/11/17: Williams had a quality 2016 season with 64 tackles, three passes broken up, five interceptions and two forced fumbles. He put together a tremendous 2015 season for the Utes with five interceptions, five passes broken up and 66 tackles. It was a breakout sophomore season for Williams after he recorded 59 tackles with an interception as a freshman. He could use more strength and weight to tackle in the NFL.
Marcus Maye, S, Florida
Height: 5-11. Weight: 203.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
2/11/17: In 2016, Maye recorded 50 tackles with one interception and six passes broken up. His season ended early due to a broken left arm, but he did accept an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
In many games over his career, Maye made a lot of impressive plays, but also would bust here or there and hurt his team with a huge play. He was often the last line of defense, so when he had a bust, it led to points for the offense. Maye also made a number of touchdown-saving tackles.
Sources say they like Maye, but that he frustrates them with his tendency to give up some plays he shouldn't allow to happen. They say he is athletic with decent range, good in coverage underneath in the short area, and a nice fit in the box against the run. His off-man coverage against tight ends, on the other hand, they label as not great. Too much space for Maye is a bad thing as he struggles going backward. He is at his best coming forward in the short area. Teams see Maye as a second-round caliber player who might end up going late in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
8/20/16: Maye totaled 82 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions in 2015. He was a solid free safety for Florida and generally a good deep center fielder, but he had an ugly performance against Alabama in the SEC Championship and didn't finish well against Michigan in the bowl game. Sources say Maye has good free safety pass-coverage potential for the NFL, but has some kinks to work out.
After a rough start to 2014, Maye showed some improvement as a starter over the course of the year. He was put in some man situations in Will Muschamp's defense and didn't perform all that well, but he finished the year well. Maye recorded 62 tackles with an interception and five passes broken up that season.
Budda Baker*, S, Washington
Height: 5-10. Weight: 192.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
2/11/17: In 2016, Baker had 71 tackles with two interceptions and six passes broken up. He needs to get stronger to tackle in the NFL, but he is a fast safety who flies around the field. Baker has the ability to help in pass coverage and is a willing tackler in the ground game. Returning for his senior year and adding strength probably would have been his best route before going pro.
8/20/16: In 2015, Baker recorded 49 tackles with seven passes broken up and two interceptions. He had 80 tackles, six pass breakups and an interception as a freshman.
Montae Nicholson*, S, Michigan State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 219.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2017): 2-4.
2/11/17: Sources have said they really like Nicholson's skill set. He was a surprise early entry into the 2017 NFL Draft, and some teams feel that he has staring potential quickly in the NFL. As a junior, Nicholson recorded 89 tackles with two passes broken up and one interception. He had a quality sophomore season with 83 tackles, two passes broken up and three interceptions. Nicholson has a serious combination of size and speed.
Johnathan 'Rudy' Ford, S, Auburn
Height: 5-11. Weight: 200. Arm: 30.25. Hand: 9.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
2/11/17: Ford had 59 tackles with seven passes broken up in 2016. He is a solid, but unspectacular, defender for Auburn who can contribute in pass coverage and run defense. Ford had a quality week of practice at the Senior Bowl.
8/20/16: Ford has been a solid defender for Auburn the past few seasons. In 2015, he totaled 118 tackles with one sack, two passes broken up and two interceptions, plus showed that he is a threat as a kick returner. As a sophomore, Ford had 93 tackles with three interceptions.
