Which safeties will matter in the 2019 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
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Once again, the class of safeties is terrific. No, there might not be a Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James like there was last year, and the top end talents aren’t going to be transcendent stars, but there are a whole lot of very, very good starters. It’s a strong group with around ten prospects good enough to go in the top 100.
15. Malik Gant, Marshall
6-0, 209: A terrific fighter who’ll always bring the thump, he’s a killer against the run and he’s destined to come up with a few highlight reel pops. With 184 tackles in the last two seasons, he’ll get his nose dirty. With 13 broken up passes, he’ll attack the ball, too.
Projected Round: Fifth
14. Mike Bell, Fresno State
6-e, 210: It’ll be interesting to see where the final opinion in on him. There are more than enough issues to be a hard pass for some teams, and there are certainly lapses from time to time, but he’s a productive tackler and can find a spot somewhere. The NFL athleticism isn’t quite there, but he’ll come up with his share of stops.
Projected Round: Fourth
13. Sheldrick Redwine, Miami
6-0, 196: Size is a problem – he’s too thin and not all that bulky – but he can fly all over the field and he’s among the most athletic safeties in the draft. A four-year guy for the Canes, he got better and better. He’ll hit well for his size, and he can play just about anywhere in a secondary, but he’s just okay in pass coverage.
Projected Round: Fifth
12. Marvell Tell, USC
6-2, 198: He’s going to be a fun prospect for someone as a good free safety in pass coverage. There won’t be a whole lot of hitting, and he’ll be mediocre against the run at the next level, but he’ll get all over the field. He’ll grow into a volume pickoff artist who’ll make up for his issues with big plays.
Projected Round: Fourth
11. Lukas Denis, Boston College
5-11, 190: Cornerback-quick with a great nose for the ball when it’s in the air, he can play anywhere in a secondary. He’s not going to bring a whole lot of thump, but he moves well and should be shoehorned into a secondary somehow. He won’t be for everyone, but a creative defensive coordinator will find a role for him.
Projected Round: Fifth
10. Jaquan Johnson, Miami
5-10. 191: Someone will fall in love. He might not be all that big, and he doesn’t quite have the athleticism and tools to make up for it, but the guy knows how to play football. A tremendous leader and a great hitter for his size, he makes a whole lot of tackles and makes a whole lot of plays. You want Mr. Turnover Chain? He’s the guy.
Projected Round: Third
9. Darnell Savage, Maryland
5-11. 198: The 4.36 he ripped off at the combine boosted up his stock to another level. He can fly all over the field, and he’s an ultra-reliable tackler, but he doesn’t bring the lumber and isn’t quite as big as some might like. A ball-hawker, stick him in zone coverage and let him use his wheels to go make the pick.
Projected Round: Second
8. Marquise Blair, Utah
6-1, 195: The tools are there to be special. He can blast away with his hitting ability, he can run, and he’s never afraid to get in on a play and make something happen. However, he’ll always be banged up and he can be a bit overaggressive, but there’s never going to be a problem with want-to or fight. He’ll be the the leader of someone’s secondary.
Projected Round: Third
7. Juan Thornhill, Virginia
6-0, 205: Really fast and really good at getting to the ball, he’ll grab everything that’s thrown his way with 13 picks and 26 career broken up passes. With his size, tools, and athleticism, he might become a physical corner if he doesn’t start out right away as an instant starter at free safety. He can hit, too, making 98 tackles as a key part on a strong Virginia defense.
Projected Round: Third
6. Amani Hooker, Iowa
5-11, 210: With good speed, size, and terrific tackling skills, he’s got the tools to match the tape. The overall question going into the pre-draft process was his athleticism and quickness, but he ripped off a sub-4.5 in Indianapolis and jumped out of the stadium. There’s no bust potential – he’s a stand up double of a draft pick who’ll start right away.
Projected Round: Third
5. Deionte Thompson, Alabama
6-1, 195: Can you get past the body type? There’s no questioning the skill level, the talent, or the ball skills, but he’s built more like a rangy corner than an intimidating safety.
You actually don’t want him to be a big popper with his body type – he can wrap up and make stops just fine without having to get brutal about it.
A true free safety with a world of upside, he picked off three career passes and broken up seven throws – he’ll do a whole lot more than that at the next level.
More than competent against the run – finishing his career with 112 stops – the key will be letting him see enough reps to turn into a freelancing playmaker who can attack the ball and be an interception machine.
His role in the NFL will be different than it was at Alabama, and that might take a wee bit of time to get him there. In the meantime, the skill set is too good not to develop further after taking him just outside of the first round.
Projected Round: Second
Real Value: Second
NEXT: If he played for Alabama, he’d be a top 20 pick …
4. Nasir Adderley, Delaware
6-0, 206: How much do you care that he played at Delaware?
Of course working at an FCS level matters to a point, but everything else is in place to be an instant starter with the right size and right ball skills.
All over the field with 11 interceptions 22 broken up passes, and 194 career tackles, he’s a true tweener with corner skills in the body of a safety. But there are knocks.
He’s going to misfire once in a while, and there will be more than a few lapses in coverage, but the bigger problem will be his position. Again, he can do a little of everything, but that’s not necessarily a plus. He’s as versatile as they come, but he’s going to need a little while to become a killer true safety.
But that’s why the NFL coaches and GMs get paid – figure it out.
The upside is extraordinary and the smarts and instincts are there to be okay right away. Live though the early mistakes, and there’s a Pro Bowl athlete ready to come out on the other side.
Projected Round: Second
Real Value: Second
NEXT: It’s great … to be …
3. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
5-11, 210: Already a strong prospect before the workout portion of the offseason fun, he went to the combine and posted a sub-4.5 40 and exploded with a. 36″ vertical.
Ultra-reliable, he’s a good, sound tackler who does a little of everything right. The size is fine, but he moves well on tape as well in his workouts – there’s little wasted motion. Best of all, the versatility is there to work in any scheme.
He’s fast enough to be find in any cover scheme, but he can bring the thump, making 161 tackles to go along with his nine career interceptions in his three years.
From Day One he’ll be a pro’s pro, but he might just slip through the cracks a bit. He’s not quite a first round all-around talent, but the scouts are going to bang the tables for him early in the second.
Projected Round: Second
Real Value: Second
NEXT: The cowbell D linemen might have been the stars, but …
2. Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
5-11, 205: Ka-boom … this is the guy you want to create havoc in the back end of your defense. He’s the big hitter in this year’s class with 195 career tackles to go along with the ability to get behind the line from time to time, too.
He’s not going to be a free safety, and despite his terrific 4.45 wheels, he’s not quite as consistent in pass coverage as some might like, but that’s looking for something that’s just not that big a deal.
He’s fine when the ball is in the air – but he’s more of a run stopper and intimidating force against the run.
The athleticism and speed are used to get all over the field to make big stops, and it’s all a part of his tone-setting style that should make him a fan favorite. Again, though, as long as you’re seeing him as a strong safety, he’s going to be special.
Let him freelance to do his thing, and look out.
Projected Round: Second
Real Value: First
NEXT: The Dawg will have his day …
1. Taylor Rapp, Washington
6-0, 208: No, he’s not the special talent of some of the recent high safety draft picks, but he’s the next great Washington defensive back who’ll step into the league, start right away, and be a big-time factor.
With 168 career tackles with seven interceptions, he’s equally good against the run and in pass coverage, but his money will be made as a tough guy hitter who’ll create plenty of pop.
Too much pop …
No, he’s not quite versatile enough for every scheme or every defensive coordinator – he doesn’t have the raw wheels – but he moves more than well enough to not take any wasted motion to get to the ball.
This is your quarterback and leader for a secondary. Don’t worry about the stats right away once he hits an NFL field – he’ll do a whole lot of the dirty work right out of the gate. Over time, he’ll make a defense his after first making a whole lot of noise as a star special teamer.
Projected Round: Second
Real Value: First
