NFL Draft Guide 2022

Safeties

Jaquan Brisker Penn State 6”1 204lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • Well rounded athlete preformed well in combine testing

Coverage

  • Reliable man coverage on Tight Ends- attacks catch point/ physical w/o being flagged

  • Off-coverage man well balanced into breaks

  • High IQ coverage defender- knows where everyone needs to be/ quick screen reactions- moved to CB vs Iowa (int vs Iowa 2021)

  • Caught giving too much separation routes (zone) Plays conservative not allowing the big play but limiting some PBUs/ behind the play

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Willing hitter looking for production like a linebacker/ has lined up at LB on sub downs

  • Keeps working away from the play

  • Fluid break downs protecting big runs back deep/ play aggressive in box battles

  • Smart gap shooter keys on OL movement/ gets ahead of the run

  • Stop and start (Indiana)

  • Can still have difficulty shedding lineman inside the box… yet better than most safeties

  • Not most sure tackler in the box: stops feet for contact-finishing/ doesn’t run through tackles

Role/Grade: Well rounded versatile safety/ underneath zone coverage (cover 3) 7.6 Grade

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 1

Marquese Bell 6”2 212lbs Florida A&M

Safeties

Athlete

  • Stiff hips in backpedal transitions

Coverage

Run Support/Blitzing

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd.

Lewis Cine Georgia 6”1 200lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • Transition from working down to turn back and run is a little choppy

Coverage

  • Match zone coverage support/ comfortable passing off coverage responsibilities

  • Break and close on underneath routes

  • Man coverage experience/ slots-backs-tight ends

  • Reads offense well to slide in passing lanes in zone coverage (OL movement/ QB eyes)

  • Long speed (range is lacking for Cover 1 FS)

  • Has been apart of allowing big plays/ miscommunications in coverage allowing wide open receivers (vs Alabama)

  • Burned deep by Jameson Williams- overly aggressive coming down on routes

  • Man coverage vs WR breaks- gets hands/ can be exposed

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Smooth tackler working downhill- complete wrap up/ sees what he hits (won’t miss many tackles)

  • Controlled aggression downhill-will ram into blocking receivers

  • Can get caught too focused on one thing leaving hole

Role/Grade: Strong Safety in 2 shell

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 2

Bryan Cook Cincinnati

Safeties

Athlete

  • Good size/ suits well vs run & underneath coverage (370 snaps from box 291 deep)

Coverage

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Reliable tackler- limits extra yards

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 2

Nick Cross Maryland 6”0 212lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • Great straight-line athlete 4.36 40/40+ vert

Coverage

  • Capable man coverage- aggressive at the catch point

  • Cover 1 deep safety int vs West Virginia

  • Has been apart of coverage breakdowns (assignments)

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Looks like a thumper (hit vs West Virginia)

  • Run angles get flat- becomes drag tackler

Role/Grade: Man coverage deep safety

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 2

Kyle Hamilton Notre Dame 6”4 220lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • Terrific range: long strider speed w/ good length supplemented by flow to ball (better than 40 time)

  • Threat to make a play anytime ball is in his area code

  • Knee Injury Vs USC (had potential to return if in CFP)

  • Not very sudden- takes a second to build up speed

Coverage

  • Smooth ball skills and field awareness (toe taps sideline)

  • Tons of man coverage work/ want him close to the ball

  • Tools to match-up well w/ tight ends

  • Flows off QB movement which leads to big plays/ aggressive at point of attack

  • Route pattern recognition could use improvement (tracking receivers and ball)

  • Man coverage is not great- catches receivers in routes vs flipping and running

  • Can be deceived by QB eyes and losing track of routes (Toledo QB moved him well)

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Attacks like a missile downhill as a run defender (plays on his toes down hill)

  • Large tackling radius (wingspan)

  • Questionable run angels as last line/ angels get too flat can be beat deep

Role/Grade: Versatile safety needs to be by the ball- working downhill well

Comp: Terrell Edmunds

Draft Proj Rd. 1

Kolby Harvell-Peel Oklahoma State

Safeties

Athlete

Coverage

Run Support/Blitzing

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 2

Dax Hill Michigan 6”0 192lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • Impressive range due to long speed/ closes distance quickly working downhill (one of the best athletes in the class)

Coverage

  • Tons of slot coverage work and plays comfortable (preferred option as solo corner in goal line sets)

  • Instinctive coverage playmaker underneath zones

  • Ability to cover crossers- won’t be run by in a straight line (incomplete deep wheel vs MSU 2020)

  • Zone INT vs Wisconsin (athlete) leap

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Tasked to blitz off the edge- fearless

  • Plays w/ aggression- will battle screen blocks (vs Skyy Moore)

  • Run defense sliding down into box- most work is done outside of tackle box (doesn’t have the build)

Role/Grade: Cover 3/1 Deep safety (slot 21’ flexibility)

Comp: Quandre Diggs/Minkah Fitzpatrick

Draft Proj Rd. 2

Brad Hawkins 6”1 207lbs Michigan

Safeties

Athlete

  • 20BP/37” Vert/4.57 40 (Pro Day)

  • 5yr player

Coverage

  • Physicality and size to match-up one on on vs TEs

  • Worked single high (man or zone) split coverage, buzzed into box

  • Displayed some route recognition (Penn State out route/ 4th down to Dotson) w/o even seeing QB

  • Got defense lined up

  • Commits to first coverage assignment- doesn’t see ball and assignment well/ also shows up as a run defender

  • Not a “baitter”

  • More of a conservative safety/ less of a catch point playmaker- didn’t explode into routes

  • Little stiff in backpedal to explosive transition

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Fairly Reliable wrap-up tackler in space

  • Had some run fits in the box- uses lineman keys well/ enough length to fair inside (maybe a good sub-package LB)/ patient- not getting washed out

Role/Grade: Split coverage SS

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd.

Kerby Joseph 6”1 200lbs Illinois

Safeties

Athlete

  • Choppy transition breaking downhill- comes to a stop

  • In and out of the rotation

  • Wingspan (PBU vs Virginia)

Coverage

  • Low mover/ can pass off underneath routes well (44:30 Penn State)

  • Lot of show in box and drop out (middle third or cover 2)

  • Has knack for matching in zone coverage to connect w/ receivers

  • Ripped ball from Virginia TE when he brought the ball down

  • Completely fooled by RPO vs Penn State

  • Slower reactions reads on the fly/ step slow looks lost at times

  • Struggles to see the whole picture in zone

  • Completely goes off QB eyes

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Willing to battle w/ blockers

  • Follows the Quarterback not keys/ will be fooled in the run and PA

  • Puts his head down on contact

Role/Grade: Split Coverage/ FS Preference Best in a free-lance role/cover 1 man or cover 2 man

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 2

Verone Mckinley Oregon 5”10

Safeties

Athlete

  • Can slightly over-commit/ can have a clunky transition laterally

Coverage

  • Closes on the football at catch point from safety position jars the ball loose (2 3rd downs vs Ohio State)

  • Big time ball hawking production

  • Can not stare down routes and go there- big time playmaker (Washington State int)

  • Slot work in man and zone coverage (cover 3)

  • Range best suited for 2 shell coverage (not single deep)

  • Can be a mis-match vs taller receivers or tight ends/

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Very willing tackler- used on blitz and a little in the box

  • Breaks down under control as a tackler- pretty good success laying out for tackles

  • Bad run angle vs Oklahoma too aggressive downhill

  • Lacks hitting power/ not built for too many reps in box (no chance vs blockers)

  • Struggles to work through receiver blocks as well

Role/Grade: Split Coverage/ FS Preference- Was heavy cover 1/3 deep S

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 4

Scott Nelson Wisconsin 6”2 205lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • 4.38 40 (1.48 10yd) 6.62 3-cone/39.5” vert/14BP

  • Plays w/ high energy (pursuit) excitement

Coverage

  • Versatile coverage role: split, single high, slot (best underneath)

  • Heavy cover 3 shell work- High IQ communicator during the play

  • Gets on pass reads (through QB eyes) quickly/ can be the first to the ball

  • Very fluid opening hips and transitioning to backpedal

  • Very legit versatility- has lined at CB (comfortable vs TE’s some slot WRs)

  • Eyes could be moved, but usually has good route and role feel

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Attacks downhill/ Works against blockers to fill and shoot run lanes

  • Heavily utilized blitzer off the edge

  • Highly aware defender- adjusts to motions/ gets on top of mis-directions (TFL vs Michigan) also can be fooled completely/ usually OL movement

  • Striding closing burst

  • Will really hit brings some pop

  • Does launch into tackles- not consistent wrap-up

Role/Grade: 5.9 Grade

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 5

Jalen Pitre Baylor

Safeties

Athlete

  • Closing burst- flies around the field

Coverage

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Impressive run support

  • Avoids blockers well

  • Big time goal line presence splitting tackle and guard or winning around the edge (speed)

  • Fearless attacking in the backfield

Role/Grade: Nickel CB (Star) added weight

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 2

Isaiah Pola-Mao USC 6”4 200lbs

Safeties

Athlete

Coverage

Run Support/Blitzing

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 2

A.J. Thomas Western Michigan 6”2 214lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • Overhang role moved to LB 2020 (due to Zaire Barnes Injury)

Coverage

Run Support/Blitzing

Role/Grade: WOLB/SS

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd.

Delarrin Turner-Yell Oklahoma 5”11 201lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • 4.47 40/

  • Good closing quickness downhill (very low)

  • On and off the field w/ injuries (lower leg)

  • Defense much more productive w/ him on the field

  • 3 year starter

Coverage

  • Effective at catch-point working to dislodge the ball (West Virginia)

  • Under control mover flowing around the field (backend)

  • Off-man Slot coverage on blitzes/ good C-O-D on first cut/ however is undersized for certain match-ups (Charlie Kolar Iowa State)

  • 3int 2021 in 9 games

  • Overreacts to PA/ run fakes

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Will put his shoulder down into bigger receivers

  • Sticks his nose in/ attacks rushing lanes-alleys/ not very conservative looks to make a play

  • High energy defender- comes out of know where to make plays (Oregon)

  • Disciplined assignment defender- not moved by pre-snap movement (finds himself around the ball)

  • Doesn’t wrap and run through tackles, not really a thumper can lead to extra yards leaking through

  • Deep run angles can be a little flat- open to being beat

Role/Grade: 3rd safety sub packages

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd.

JT Woods Baylor 6”2 190lbs

Safeties

Athlete

  • Legit top end speed/ closing speed

  • Shifty backpedal

Coverage

  • Aggressiveness working down can lead to plays getting behind him (flea flicker TCU)

Run Support/Blitzing

  • Run angles can get a little too steep- downhill/ leads to missed tackles

Role/Grade: Free Safety

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 2