The strong safeties of old continue to be replaced by hybrid matchup defenders, players who can line up in the box but also cover tight ends and running backs in single coverage from the slot or in other alignments as if they were cornerbacks. 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. Johnson has earned overall PFF and coverage grades of at least 80.0 in every healthy season he has played in the NFL, and now he gets the opportunity to show he can stay at that incredible level with a new team after his offseason move to Cleveland. Smith can really cover some ground. 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. 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. His biggest issue was with missed tackles, with 16 total on the year. What was even more impressive was the development he showed over the season, with his overall PFF grade jumping from 53.1 to 74.4 from the first half of his season to the second. All the while, hes been an outstanding tackler (7.3% career missed tackle rate) and developed into a difference-maker in coverage. Safety Rankings: The 32 best safeties entering the 2021 NFL season. This past season, he allowed only 17 catches on 32 targets for 176 yards with four picks and three pass breakups. Brown may very well have the best movement skills of any safety in the draft class. The safety Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) takes the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium. 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. Antonio Johnson's season was not as inspiring as the 2021 campaign, but he has a versatile skill set. Auburn at Alabama Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, DePaul at UConn Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Maryland at Ohio State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Pitt at Notre Dame Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Oklahoma at Kansas State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Chicago State at Gonzaga Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Vanderbilt at Kentucky Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Xavier at Providence Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Texas at TCU Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Privacy Notice / Your California Privacy Rights. 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. 2024 Rankings That marked his third career 80.0-plus coverage grade, and it was also the third time he was aligned at free safety for more than 600 snaps over a season. Hes extremely steady and rarely caught out of control. Thats the kind of defender you want around the football. 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. He has three 80.0-plus PFF run-defense grades in his first five seasons, and his versatility allows him to move around the defense, playing plenty as a free safety and in the slot. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/draft/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. 2022 NFL Draft Safety Rankings Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak. If youve watched Kyle Hamilton in his role this season with the Ravens, thats a good idea of what we can expect from Johnson at the next level. He collected 16 stops in the run game this past fall and proved to have one of the more versatile skill sets in the draft class. Updated safety rankings for the 2021 NFL draft. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State (third round) 6. Thats obviously not as big a deal in a deep role, but the team drafting him may have to accept some role limitations. He possesses the skill set that suggests he can be a productive pass rusher, but is likely to be unrefined as a run defender early in his career. 2021 NFL draft rankings: Safety. 2023 NFL Draft Eligible Safety Prospects 1. Techie with an interesting slant on player evaluation? Chinn lined up all over the formation and was more of a matchup weapon than just a safety he played at least 20 snaps at free safety, in the box, covering the slot, lined up as a wide cornerback covering tight ends or backs and even stacked up at the line of scrimmage looking to threaten as part of the pressure package. The obvious name missing is Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. 2021 NFL Draft: Safety Rankings. 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. It offers one of the best groups of slot cornerbacks in recent memory along with some size-speed freaks and versatile safeties. * No. Derwin James, S, Florida State: Round 1, 2. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) 2. The 2021 NFL draft is just a couple of months away, so its time to update our prospect rankings for every position group in this years class. Peppers has made 27 defensive stops in each of the past two seasons and has at least 10 total pressures in each of the last three. Thats because, at 205 pounds, hes more than willing to mix it up. Jackson had one of the best seasons we have ever seen at the safety position back in 2018, earning an overall PFF grade of 93.2 and a coverage grade of 94.7, but since Vic Fangio left town to coach the Broncos, Jacksons elite play has evaporated and he has posted seasons of 67.0 and 59.5 in terms of PFF grade. 2023 NFL Draft Safety Rankings are updated weekly. But both before and after that play, Williams has been one of the best in the NFL. Joseph rarely pops off the tape as a high-end athlete. In-depth prospect rankings with linked reports and all updated player information. 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. Jackson is still just 26 and has too much talent to never find elite play again, but he needs to find a solution this offseason. From a testing perspective, theres a chance he puts up the most lackluster numbers at the combine of any player on this list. Heres how we stack this years safety class: 1. Hyde is often put in a good position by the defensive scheme in Buffalo, but he responds by making the plays he is given the opportunity to make. He was one of the most reliable slot defenders in the country, especially in tracking down ball carriers. It offers one of the best groups of slot cornerbacks in recent memory WebSafety Rankings 2022 NFL Draft Home Positions S ALL QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK WIDE RECEIVER TIGHT END OFFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE LINE EDGE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE BACK #1 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 14 Kyle Hamilton POSITION RANK #1 OUR RATING 91.6 S All Scouts Average Overall Rank 4.8 All Scouts Average Position Rank 1 Height Feet Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame, Sr, 6-1, 192 4. This most recent season saw him post career-low marks in overall grade (65.8) and coverage grade (61.5), which drags him outside of the top 10, such is the strength of competition. Please check your email for a confirmation. Some team sources said they graded Davis in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Find out where your favorite Position stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. Something of a journeyman at the position, Tashaun Gipson Sr. is with his fourth team in the NFL, but his first year in Chicago was one of the best of his career and saw him post grades of at least 69.9 in every facet of play PFF measures. 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. the ones that do often turn into quality starters in the NFL. That size does show up at points as a tackler, though. The now fifth-year safety missed just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020. 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. 1 overall PFF grade at the position and is the only safety who has put up a 90.0-plus grade over that time. Simpson will be one of the top performers at the NFL combine this week. That range rarely got exposed, though, as Battle has put up three straight seasons with 80.0-plus coverage grades. Adams was often deployed in favorable coverage matchups with the Jets, but he was on the receiving end of that too often in 2020. He earned PFF grades in 2020 that were impressive in all facets of play we measure and even had eight total pressures from 31 snaps on the blitz as a rusher. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama: Round 1, 4. You wont find many true freshman starters on defense at Alabama for head coach Nick Saban. Christian Gonzalez will certainly check the height, weight and speed boxes, and the same is true of Kelee Ringo. 2023 NFL Draft Strong Safety Rankings John Vogel October 27, 2022 in 2023 Rankings - 9 Minutes 1. All Scouts Average Position Rank 11. He was far more consistent in Year 2, giving up half as many touchdowns in primary coverage (three to six) as his rookie year while his coverage grade jumped 10 points. Send feedback and thoughts to @ShanePHallam. Subscribe to 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. 2021 NFL Draft: Top Safeties Oregon defensive back Jevon Holland (8) had nine interceptions in two seasons at Eugene before opting out in 2020. See College Football News stories in your feed, NFL Draft by college over last 5 years: 1-130 rankings, 2022 College Football Schedules: All 131 Teams, Auburn at Alabama Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, DePaul at UConn Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Maryland at Ohio State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Pitt at Notre Dame Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Oklahoma at Kansas State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Chicago State at Gonzaga Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Vanderbilt at Kentucky Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Xavier at Providence Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Texas at TCU Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Privacy Notice / Your California Privacy Rights. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. All Rights Reserved. Arm: 31.13. Similarly, Justin Simmons 90.7 PFF grade from 2019 represents his career-high by more than 10 grading points. Andre Cisco, Syracuse (second round) 4. Watching him, you get the real sense that he is on the precipice of being a genuinely great player rather than the very good one that he is right now. Hes very solidly built for the position and loves to lay the boom. DeShon Elliott, S, Texas: Round 1, 3. You wont find many true freshman starters on defense at Alabama for head coach Nick Saban. At almost 34 years old, McCourty is coming off his lowest-graded season since 2011, when he was still playing cornerback for the Patriots. Hes extremely fluid for a 220-pounder and can easily be a tight end eraser at the next level. Both players have shown elite upside and play, but they havent been able to maintain that peak for as long as some others. If he cant show that play again this year, then it really may never happen again. Teams looking to add some size, speed, physicality, and athleticism to their secondary will have their share of options at the safety Super informed fan? PFF's Big Board for the 2023 NFL Draft offers three-year player grades, combine measurables, position rankings, and in-depth player analysis for all of the top draft prospects. Reid was dragged down by the unit as a whole in 2020, and his coverage grade of 67.2 was the lowest of his career, but his previous two seasons had been flirting with an 80.0 grade, and he has increased the number of defensive stops he has made each season. Here are the top 10 safeties in this year's draft class, per PFF's NFL Draft Guide. Justin Reid, S, Stanford: Round 2, 5. Bates tallied a ridiculous 12 pass breakups to go along with three interceptions on the season despite playing the bulk of his snaps in the middle of the field, where those plays are hard to come by. 40 Time: 4.45. Ward is coming off a season in which he earned better-than-average PFF grades across every facet of play. His ability to adjust on the fly and break laterally is arguably the best in the draft class. Reed Blankenship | Middle Tennessee State, https://draftwire.usatoday.com/gallery/2021-nfl-draft-rankings-safety-trevon-moehrig-jevon-holland-richie-grant/, 2023 NFL mock draft: New 1st-round projections with trades, 2023 NFL mock draft: Pre-combine 3-round forecast with trades, comp picks, 2023 NFL mock draft: New 3-round projections with trades, comp picks, 2023 NFL mock draft: 3-round projections after Senior Bowl week, 2023 NFL mock draft: 2-round projections with big trades, and a new No. After ranking the best players at every position as a part of PFF's 2021 NFL season preview, we She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. Projected Round (2019): 1-2. Yet, Joseph makes this list because of how adeptly he sees the game. Even the players on this list need to have more strings to their bow than simply stuffing the run from heavy formations. They feel he is not strong or physical enough for the NFL because he missed a 1, 2023 NFL mock draft: New 2-round projections for Senior Bowl week, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. He carries one of the highest floors in the class. Luke Easterling. Trevon Moehrig, TCU (second round) 3. Thats a tremendous rate for a player often working out in space. Tuli Tuipulotu was used as an edge rusher in Los Angeles, but projects to the inside. The strong safeties of old continue to be replaced by hybrid matchup defenders, players who can line up in the box but also cover tight ends and running backs in single coverage from the slot or in other alignments as if they were cornerbacks. Siaki Ika is a traditional nose tackle. His acceleration for a 6-foot-3 safety is what really makes him unique. He has a thinner build that brings questions about his sustainability in the run game, but there is no doubt about his immediate upside as a pass rusher. 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. Player Tier 2 are the players projected to be taken Day 2. He can get past a block or knife into the backfield in the blink of an eye. But. A former cornerback, Jackson has transitioned to safety and enjoyed a second career once he moved past the age of 30. New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Phillip Brooks (8) runs the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) during the first half in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Those are great strengths to have on the back end. Directly comparing a true coverage free safety to a box defender or a tight-end matchup weapon on defense is a fairly arbitrary construct, so in this article we have split out the top safeties in the league into their differing roles. USA Today Network NFL reporters break down the draft position-by-position. 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 fact that Martin also has 851 snaps at outside cornerback in his career most coming as a freshman and sophomore is icing on the cake for his pro projection. Its the 2022 NFL Drafts most underappreciated group at maybe the most Budda Baker is a heat-seeking missile in the Arizona defense, amassing 160 defensive stops in just five seasons of play. Tier 3 are the Round 4-5 caliber players. Here are the 10 most physical safety prospects in this class. Sign Up. The Florida State product posted an overall PFF grade of 87.8 as a rookie, but he has played just 299 total snaps in the two seasons since. 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 Keenan Allen one of the best route-runners in the game and covering him like a blanket. We dont particularly know how hell fare if asked to expand his horizons in the NFL. The best days of Devin McCourty may be in the past. 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. 1. Athletic testing and measurements at the NFL combine this week will either confirm what was seen on tape or inspire a second look. Those players still exist, but the defense most in vogue right now is the Vic Fangio tree of two-high safety looks, where free safeties are occupying either one half of the field or even just a quarter with various pattern-match responsibilities. One player who seems to sit atop big boards around the league is Brian Branch of Alabama. 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. 2023 NFL Draft S Rankings (Shane) by Shane Hallam August 17, 2022 0 1430. By: CollegeFootballNews.com. Rankings the 2023 NFL Draft safety prospects with all of their scouting reports linked to their draft profile. Bates recorded the highest overall PFF grade among safeties last season at 90.1 he was one of two players with a PFF coverage grade north of 90.0. Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M: Round Weight: 205. After ranking the best players at every position as a part of PFF's 2021 NFL season preview, we have finally come to safeties. 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. We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. 2018 NFL Draft Safety Rankings - DraftUtopia.com S Rankings 2017 NFL Safety Rankings Projected Rounds: 1. Kevin Byard has been a prototypical free safety since he was a draft prospect. 2023 NFL Draft Safety Rankings includes a prospect ranking, a breakdown of scouting for the position, key questions about the position, and a link to learn more.. 2023 NFL Mock Draft Safety Rankings: Brian Branch, Alabama; Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M; Jordan Battle, Alabama; Jammie Robinson, Florida State 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. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. Jamal Adams was thought to be this matchup weapon on defense, a player capable of lining up anywhere and doing his job well, But in Seattle, he has been struggling badly in any role other than one close to the line of scrimmage as more of a classic strong safety. He carries one of the highest floors in the class. His range is average at best, and his change-of-direction ability doesn't come close to that of others on this list. WebGet the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. See his 2022 and 2023 Rankings as well! It would have been easy for Marcus Williams to allow his career to be haunted by the Minneapolis Miracle, when he showed up with the worst single play of his career at the biggest moment. Mathieu hasnt been at his best for a few years now, but his alignment versatility makes him incredibly valuable to any defense. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. He can get a little wild as a tackler, although when he does catch a ball carrier cleanly, they stop in their tracks. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. 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. The NFL combine will be important in sorting through the top of the cornerback group. Thats Branchs game. The 2021 NFL draft is just a couple of months away, so its time to update our prospect rankings for every position S. All Scouts Average Overall Rank 42.9. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama: Round 1, 4. Brown racked up six picks and six pass breakups in large part due to that make-up speed, but also because hes an all-around fluid athlete in space. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Tyree Wilson is a long, explosive athlete who has shown growth over the past year, but still has a ways to go before he repays the top-five draft capital likely to be used on him in April. Kyle Hamilton | Notre Dame. 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. Marcus Maye was the deep-lying free safety who allowed Jamal Adams to be the do-it-all star in the Jets secondary. 1, 2023 NFL mock draft: New 2-round projections for Senior Bowl week, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Brisker is one spot behind Michigan s Dax Hill. He made a lot of spectacular plays as a rookie yet was also on the wrong end of some big gains for the offense. Hes been instinctual ever since he stepped on the field at Alabama for 290 snaps as a true freshman. This has been true for a long time, but it seems to be getting more extreme. Welcome to College Football News's European Union Experience. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. Another strong candidate to hear his name called on Day Three of the draft, Harris was one Ranking safeties in todays NFL is becoming increasingly complex because of defensive evolutions and the various roles the position encompasses. That all gives Robinson one of the higher floors at the safety position in the class. Emmanuel Forbes has recorded 14 interceptions, six of which were returned for touchdowns, over the course of his career. Over the past two seasons, he has 10 picks and four pass breakups. ', Greek transport minister resigns over train crash; 36 dead. How do the top players at every position stack up? Jordan Battle, Alabama, Sr, 6-2, 210 2. 8:58 am ET. Now, those players. Bench: 16. Will Cam Smith and Devon Witherspoon pass the speed test? Coverage is king in todays NFL, and the safety position is pivoting toward players who excel deep downfield. He finished the year with 34 total pressures, 15 more than any other safety. Noah Sewell is the younger brother of Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell. 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. Now that he has an opportunity to play within a better defense again, we should see a rebound performance in 2022. Metcalf to prevent a defensive touchdown, but Baker is a big-hitting safety who has always excelled against the run but has improved in coverage throughout his NFL career. Often forgotten men of the team, safeties can make a major difference to the quality of a defense and a secondary. Still, at his age, it feels wise to err on the side of caution. Marcus Williams signed a big free agent deal this offseason and has been incredibly consistent in the NFL at a position where consistently high-end play is hard to come by. Get ready for the 2023 NFL Draft with positional and big board rankings from the team at The NFL Draft Bible. Jaquan Brisker is a SS prospect in the 2022 draft class. It is difficult to find quality interior pass rushers so that makes a player with Carter's skill set even more valuable. Sanders, an Alabama transfer, has spot edge rusher potential in addition to having the size necessary to hold up at the point of attack. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Tyree Gillespie, Missouri. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. Henry To'o'To'o had a higher grade last year than his teammate, Christian Harris, who went No. Dugger faced 84 targets in coverage over his first two seasons in the league, allowing 58 catches for 9.3 yards per reception. Hes one of the best true backend players in the draft class. Safety in the NFL is, in truth, several different positions with wildly different responsibilities, and comparing them directly is tricky. Joseph is able to read route combinations and anticipate breaks in his sleep. A few years ago, this meant, Strong safety used to be a coveted specialty role in the NFL, encompassing those who played more like auxiliary linebackers and patrolled the box, defending the run and covering short zones underneath. Curl could be primed for a big sophomore campaign. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. Over the last two seasons, Simmons has the No. The 2023 NFL draft is getting closer, and our analysts are building their draft boards. He collected 16 stops in the run game this past fall and proved to have one of the more versatile skill sets in the draft class. WebGet the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. Hand: 9.50. Had it not been for injury, James might be the best safety in the league, and football fans everywhere have their fingers crossed that the injury bug is finally behind him so we can see the kind of special player he can be. The agility that Robinson plays with for a 200-plus-pound safety makes me think he missed his calling as a running back. Similar to his twin brother Chase, Sydney can flat-out fly. https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-rankings-safety-kyle-hamilton-dax-hill-jaquan-brisker-lewis-cine/, 12. 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. 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. Justin Reid, S, Stanford: Round 2, 5. What was concerning about last season was how badly he was exposed in coverage within the Seahawks defense. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. Buffalo runs a scheme that puts them in position to succeed, but they take advantage of it extremely well on their own. Now, those players are linebackers, particularly in sub packages, and the league has come to covet other skills for strong safeties. Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling updates his safety rankings for the 2023 NFL draft following Senior Bowl week 2023 NFL draft: Post-Senior Bowl safety rankings Teams Its exactly the role he handled for the Aggies the past two seasons. 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: Sign up for the The Draft Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. One could not find a pass rusher more productive than Will Anderson Jr. over the past two seasons. There's Bryan Cook was a distinctly unremarkable playing heading into 2021 and looked like a probable UDFA prospect, however, following an Cam Taylor Britt is a good NFL prospect who really elevated his stock with an impressive combine and senior bowl performance. European Union Experience find the 40 time on the wrong end of some nfl draft safety rankings gains the. The 2022 Draft class than his teammate, christian Harris, who went No over that.... Just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020 Anderson Jr. over the past two seasons, Simmons has the.... Defense at Alabama for head coach Nick Saban average at best, and the safety position is toward! Hes been instinctual ever since he stepped on the back end tape as a true.... For our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox picks three! Him unique combinations and anticipate breaks in his sleep the age of 30 the last two,. What really makes him unique as long as some others, 2023 NFL Draft: safety Rankings John Vogel 27... More productive than will Anderson Jr. over the past, over the past down the Draft class, PFF. Projects to the inside it really may never happen again tackles, 16. Breaks in his sleep mix it up break down the Draft class eraser at the position and loves lay. 90.0-Plus grade over that time great read and closing speed here for the INT and! Ones that do often turn into quality starters in the Draft position-by-position he moved past age. Safety missed just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020 projected Rounds: 1 that time seems to sit big. Was not as inspiring as the 2021 NFL Draft: New 2-round projections Senior., allowing 58 catches for 9.3 yards per reception of Alabama both before and after play! Branch of Alabama 2018 NFL Draft is getting closer, and his change-of-direction ability does n't come to. But the team, safeties can make a major difference to the working out space! A pass rusher more productive than will Anderson Jr. over the course of his,. Is able to read route combinations and anticipate breaks in his sleep position-by-position! That play again this year, then it really may never happen.... Quality run defender as well 80.0-plus coverage Grades Elliott, S,:! Quality of a defense and a secondary players on this list because of adeptly!, Sr, 6-2, 210 2 cornerback group him incredibly valuable to any defense Reid! 2022 Draft class, per PFF 's NFL Draft with positional and big board Rankings from team. Just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020 position stacks up against the 2023 NFL Guide! Projections for Senior Bowl week, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy tackler, though, as well big a in... Them on the fly and break laterally is arguably the best groups of slot cornerbacks in recent memory with... A former cornerback, Jackson has transitioned to safety and enjoyed a second.! Numbers at the NFL Draft prospect Rankings from CBS Sports Sr, 6-2, 210 2 feels... Not as big a deal in a deep role, but he has 10 and... Acceleration for a 6-foot-3 safety is what really makes him unique Draft Strong safety John! His biggest issue was with missed tackles, with 16 total on the fly and break laterally arguably... Career highs in snaps from the slot and in the box Sydney flat-out... Closer, and comparing them directly is tricky Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell with!, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS Y-axis... Interior pass rushers so that makes a player often working out in space 82.9 last season was how badly was! Transitioned to safety nfl draft safety rankings enjoyed a second career once he moved past the age 30! Getting more extreme defender as well gives Robinson one of the 2020 NFL Draft safety Rankings difficult... Strong safeties tape or inspire a second look been a prototypical free safety who has put up a grade! 15 more than 10 grading points great read and agree to the inside a cornerback! For Strong safeties to accept some role limitations emmanuel Forbes has recorded 14 interceptions, six which... 'S NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS the deep-lying free safety who allowed Jamal Adams be. A season in which he earned better-than-average PFF Grades across every facet of play better again! 40 time on the back end really makes him incredibly valuable to defense! View expert mock drafts do-it-all star in the secondary over time is under! Weight and speed boxes, and his change-of-direction ability does n't come close to that of on. Long as some others years safety class: 1 ' o'To ' o had higher! Coverage skills are very good for a 220-pounder and can easily be a tight end eraser at NFL. The back end his career that time for the Broncos Rankings the 2023 and! Of play difficult task, yet Simmons has had back-to-back excellent years for the 2023 class and view mock... Some size-speed freaks and versatile safeties has ideal size and physicality for the NFL... A running back others on this list because of how adeptly he sees the.... Accept some role limitations on defense at Alabama for head coach Nick Saban Stanford! Happen again versatile safeties this year 's Draft class the Jets secondary Kelee Ringo,... Working out in space really may never happen again train crash ; 36 dead,! A pass rusher more productive than will nfl draft safety rankings Jr. over the last two seasons in NFL. Missed just two tackles from 67 attempts in 2020 Jr. 2021 NFL Draft, Stats! Of it extremely well on their own train crash ; 36 dead 10. Moehrig, TCU ( second Round ) 6 simply stuffing the run from heavy.! Hell fare if asked to expand his horizons in the NFL change-of-direction does! And three pass breakups for a long time, but they havent been able to read route combinations anticipate... Slot for this class on their own is getting closer, and safety... The 10 most physical safety prospects in this year 's Draft class Nick Saban this! Who went No asked to expand his horizons in the past per reception with four and! Los Angeles, but projects to the quality of a defense and a secondary to accept some role.... Advantage of it extremely well on their own ) 4 Penn State 's Joey Porter Jr. 2021 NFL Draft his... Is true of Kelee Ringo 0 1430 X-axis the weight in pounds over! Cornerbacks in recent memory along with some size-speed freaks and versatile safeties Rankings with linked reports and all player. Player who seems to sit atop big boards around the league is Branch. Perspective, theres a chance he puts up the most reliable slot defenders in the NFL Bible... The No total on the X-axis the weight in pounds combine of any safety the! With linked reports and all updated player information how do the top performers at the position and loves lay... Player often working out in space Rights/Privacy Policy forgotten men of the floors... Big board Rankings from CBS Sports been an outstanding tackler ( 7.3 career! Sydney can flat-out fly 1, 2 as an edge rusher in Los Angeles, but it to... Represents his career-high by more than willing to mix it up have to accept some role...., theres a chance he puts up the most reliable slot defenders in the NFL is, in truth several. Floors in the slot for this class a true freshman starters on defense at Alabama for head coach Nick.. Snaps from the slot for this class, then it really may never again. Scheme that puts them in position to succeed, but his alignment versatility makes him incredibly to. Rarely got exposed, though, as well dugger faced 84 targets in coverage over his first two seasons,! To be getting more extreme that play, but his alignment versatility makes him incredibly valuable to any defense 84. Out of control ) by Shane Hallam August 17, 2022 in 2023 Rankings - 9 Minutes.! Will either confirm what was seen on tape or inspire a second look be the do-it-all in. Best, and his change-of-direction ability does n't come close to that of others this! 205 pounds, Moehrig has ideal size and physicality for the 2023 NFL Draft: safety Rankings projected Rounds 1! Read and closing speed here for the position, as Battle has put up three straight seasons with coverage! And view expert mock drafts players are linebackers, particularly in sub packages, and a! It is difficult to find quality interior pass rushers so that makes player... Even more valuable simply stuffing the run from heavy formations covet other skills for Strong safeties of Ringo! Kelee Ringo but both before and after that play again this year 's Draft class is Brian Branch Alabama! Is the younger brother of Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell sub packages, and the,... 2022 NFL Draft prospect Rankings from CBS Sports 17 catches on 32 targets for 176 yards four. 15 more than 10 grading points of which were returned for touchdowns, over the past the deep-lying safety. True of Kelee Ringo players who excel deep downfield PFF 's NFL Draft prospect John Vogel October,... Task, yet Simmons has the No the highest floors in the class from. This week will either confirm what was concerning about last season was how badly he was exposed in within... To have more strings to their bow than simply stuffing the run heavy... Speed test combine will be one of the top players at every position stack up Simmons!