Rankings and what to watch for out of all the safety prospects invited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
2020 NFL Combine: Safety
Date: Sunday, March 1: Safeties
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: NFL Network
From the college perspective. here are rankings and quick looks at all of the safetiesinvited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
Before getting into the top five breakdown, here’s a ranking of the best of the rest and what to look for.
2020 Pre-NFL Combine Safety Best of the Rest Rankings
Number in parentheses is the projected round drafted before the NFL Combine.
27. L’Jarius Sneed, Louisiana Tech 6-1, 193 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: The team’s second-leading tackler was a big producer with great ball skills over the last two years, he has to turn into a safety. He’s a corner trying to be a safety.
26. Daniel Thomas, Auburn 5-11, 209 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Are the ball skills there? He produced as a part of the puzzle for four years and turned into a whale of a tackler over the last two years, but he did next to nothing when the ball was in the air. Can that be worked on?
25. Chris Miller, Baylor 6-0, 191 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Undersized, he was good at bringing the pop when needed for the Bears, but he didn’t do nearly enough when the ball was in the air last year. Something about his workout has to make him more than a special teamer.
24. Jaylinn Hawkins, Cal 6-2, 210 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: The short drills have to rock. The size, length, and college prediction are all there, but he has to show he can cut on a dime at an NFL level.
23. Rodney Clemons, SMU 6-0, 205 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A high-volume tackler who made a whole lot of plays when the ball was in the air with four picks last year. He doesn’t have a big frame and needs to show off the wheels to make up for it – he’s a safety tweener.
22. Geno Smith, Iowa 5-10, 210 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A really nice piece-of-the-puzzle safety, he might be undersized, but a good workout makes him draftable as a good flier who really might make it as more than a special teamer.
21. Kamren Curl, Arkansas 6-2, 198 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Tall, productive, and versatile enough to be used as a corner, he’s missing a true NFL trait. He’s not a corner at the next level, and he’s not a big enough hitter to thrive at safety.
20. Tanner Muse, Clemson 6-2, 230 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s not an NFL linebacker, even though he’s built like one. He’s not an NFL safety, even though he’s good when the ball is in the air. He’s a terrific football player who’ll be a tough cut – but he has to find a role.
19. Jalen Elliott, Notre Dame 6-1, 205 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Can he be more than a flier? Teams will love him as a possible core special teamer, but he has to run and move like a draftable defensive back, too.
18. Josh Metellus, Michigan 5-11, 210 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: All run D, questionable wheels. He might be a high-riser in the process with a few good times in the drills. He’s what teams want in run support, but he has to prove he can be an NFL coverman.
17. Brian Cole, Mississippi State 6-2, 205 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: He doesn’t have a set job. He’s a tough guy who could work as an undersized linebacker, but his coverage skills are just okay. He needs to look like more than core special teamer.
16. Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame 5-11, 202 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: The Navy transfer to Notre Dame isn’t going to lack for effort. He’ll hit and he’ll make himself into an NFL player in some way, but he has to put up some good times to be more than a good special teams option.
15. Shyheim Carter, Alabama 6-0, 191 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: A good-sized all-around playmaker for the Crimson Tide, he’s good when the ball is in the air – one pick last year with seven broken up passes – and he’ll hit, but he needs to show off the quickness in the short drills.
14. Jordan Fuller, Ohio State 6-2, 205 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Where is he going to play? He’s going to look like the right type of NFL safety size-wise, and he’s a good hitter, but he has to run well and look like he can handle himself against the decent next-level wide receivers.
13. K’Von Wallace, Clemson 5-11, 199 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Considering he’s a force when he gets to bring the thump, but can he cover anyone? There isn’t a set role for him at the next level, but if he runs and moves well, someone will like all there is to work with.
12. Antoine Brooks, Maryland 5-11, 215 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: Just find a spot for him. He’s a smart all-around player who should be a nice value pick, but he has to find a role somewhere. He’s not a prototypical NFL safety.
11. Brandon Jones, Texas 6-0, 205 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: He needs to crush the 40 – or at least not be lumbering. He’ll never shy away from popping someone, and coaches will love his effort, but does he have the raw speed?
10. JR Reed, Georgia 6-1, 194 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: Built like a corner, he’s a nice all-around defensive back who can tackle in the open field and make enough plays to find a job as a good free safety, but don’t expect any thump at the next level. If possible, he has to look physical.
9. Julian Blackmon, Utah 6-1, 204 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: An interesting tweener, he’s a big corner who’s just growing into the safety job. He’s got the size and the skills, but how healthy is the knee he hurt late in the season, and how much work does he need to be a top starting NFL safety?
8. Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois 6-3, 219 (3)
NFL Combine What Matters: Size, size, size. He was a terrific tackler a the FCS level with the speed and potential to become a great mid-round prospect to develop. He might need seasoning, but one great workout with his size will push him into the fourth round or better.
7. Terrell Burgess, Utah 5-11, 192 (4)
NFL Combine What Matters: Can he work his way into the second round? He’s not huge, but he’ll tackle, he’ll move, and he’ll have a high ceiling. However, he needs a little bit of work and technique refining.
6. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne, 6-1, 220 (2)
NFL Combine What Matters: Blow … it … up. Talk all you want about playing at the lower-level – and everyone will – but a guy with this size and this speed and this sort of movement needs to get a much longer look. There’s no way to measure whether or not he can make the massive leap in competition, but it’s his job to look like he will.
NEXT: Top 5 Safety Prospects Before the 2020 NFL Combine
5. Terrell Burgess, Utah 6-0, 198 (2)
Why He’s Here On The List: It’ll be interesting to see what the thought processes are on him from the various scouts. He can move – he’ll run well in Indy – and he’s a decent hitter with 81 tackles last year. Most of all, he’s the type of player who can make a defense his. He’s got that thing that makes him as ultra-reliable as they come, but does he have the fluidity to move like an NFL defensive back?
What The NFL Types Want To See: How effortlessly does he move? He’s got to be able to cut and flip and fly like a top 50 all-around pick. It’ll be hard to show off his tackling ability, but the more physical a vibe he can give off – as strange as that sounds – the better.
Bottom Line: Teams are going to look for anything to like in the workout – they’re going to want him. It’s going to be all about the raw numbers and how smooth he is. He’ll find a home in the first three rounds on football playing ability, but he can’t be clunky.
NEXT: No. 4 Pre-NFL Combine Safety
4. Ashtyn Davis, Cal 6-1, 195 (2)
Why He’s Here On The List: A wonderful all-around talent, Davis has tremendous range, is quick enough to be used on punt returns, and he’s not afraid to get his nose dirty. He’s a top athlete who could become an ideal free safety, but that’s selling him a bit short on his pop.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Is everything okay? He missed the Redbox Bowl with an undisclosed injury, but as long as he’s able to turn it loose, he’ll rip off one of the best 40 times among the safeties. Again, if all is well and he’s running just fine, he might be fast enough to get a look at corner.
Bottom Line: A versatile all-around talent with room to get better, he has everything you’re looking for in an NFL defensive back, even if he doesn’t have a sure-thing position. He’s not quite a perfect-looking safety, but with his athleticism and skills, take him and figure it out.
NEXT: No. 3 Pre-NFL Combine Safety
3. Antoine Winfield, Minnesota 5-10, 205 (2)
Why He’s Here On The List: Don’t compare him to his dad. Antoine Winfield Sr. was a special hitter for his size. Winfield Jr. is a phenomenal tackler, but he’s not going to bring a ton of pop. He led the Gophers with 99 stops – he doesn’t miss an open field tackle – and he’s phenomenal at always sniffing out the big plays when the ball is in the air. He might be seen as a bit undersized, though, and that matters because …
What The NFL Types Want To See: Can he hold up? He was banged up throughout his Minnesota career, but he managed to stay in one piece last year. The medical evaluations will be a part of his weekend, but it’s really going to be all about being able to run and move well enough to earn a top 50 overall pick.
Bottom Line: He’s a very smart, very good, very well-coached NFL defensive back who might not check all of the boxes, but will be a productive long-time starter who’ll fill up a stat sheet. He might have to be surrounded by big-time athleticism, but stick him in the defensive backfield and let him make things happen.
NEXT: No. 2 Pre-NFL Combine Safety
2. Xavier McKinney, Alabama 6-1, 200 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: Bama’s leading tackler with 95 stops to go along with three picks, he got in on everything for the defense last season. A leader who’ll take over a defense, he fits every style, he makes big plays, and he’ll work into the system from Day One. He’s not the perfect safety prospect, but he’s not far off if he could do just a bit more when the ball is in the air.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Can he be among the most athletic safeties in Indy? This is his shot to go from being a solid first rounder with upside to a must-have top ten overall pick and the top safety off the board. It’s his job to generate a buzz.
Bottom Line: Teams will love him. He’s a quarterback and leader on the field who can make a D his, but he’s the ultimate tweener. He’s a potential dream of a free safety, but he’ll fit no matter what a team is looking for. Watch out, and put him No. 1 one on this list if he owns the drills and it’s a mediocre workout from …
NEXT: No. 1 Pre-NFL Combine Safety
1. Grant Delpit, LSU 6-3, 203 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: He’ll get dogged a bit for being overhyped – he wasn’t even the best defensive back on his own team last year, much less strong enough to be the Thorpe winner – but he was still terrific. A very big, very good three-year producer who did just about everything right, he’s more of a football talent than a workout warrior. But …
What The NFL Types Want To See: His workout has to be close. He’s not going to blow anyone away with his raw wheels, and he’s not going to be silky smooth, but as long has he doesn’t standout in a negative way, he’ll be fine.
Bottom Line: There are concerns. He’s a volume tackler, but he’s not an intimidating blowup type against the run. He’ll make a whole lot of plays when the ball is in the air, but he’ll have to be surrounded by speed. He’ll miss tackles and make plays down the field, but he’ll sniff out big plays in key moments. Don’t overthink this, though – he’s simply a great football player.
