2017 NFL Draft: Safeties

I’ll admit safety is one of my weaker positions as far as understanding. It’s something that I need to familiarize myself with. What I have learned from reading and listening to far smarter people than me is two things are true: FSs are much more valuable than SSs, and that we should compare no one to Earl Thomas. With those things in mind I’ll be doing top five’s for both positions and then it’s on to a normal big board (1-100, a horizontal board (that’s going to take a pretty good intro to explain), and a combined mock of who I’d take and traditional mock draft. But safeties first. I’m sorry. Kind of.

Free Safety

1)     Malik Hooker, R. So, Ohio State, 6’ 1” 206 lbs – Starter (7.6)

Stats – TFLs: 5.5, PD: 11, 40: N/a, 3-Cone: N/a, Short Shuttle: N/a

Hooker gets knocked a couple tenths because he didn’t test this off-season. That said he’s the best free safety and safety overall in the draft.

2)     Budda Baker, Jr, Washington, 5’ 10” 195 lbs – Starter (7.4)

Stats – TFLs: 10, PD: 8, 40: 4.45, 3-Cone: 6.76, Short Shuttle: 4.08

Budda is a personal favorite in this draft. My biggest concern is whether he’s too reckless with his body as an undersized DB. Will he hold up? I think yes. Going to drop, probably, to the second half of the first round. Gonna be great value there.

3)     Marcus Williams, Jr, Utah, 6’ 1” 202 lbs – Starter (7.1)

Stats – TFLs: 1, PD: 8, 40: 4.56, 3-Cone: 6.85, Short Shuttle: 4.28

Williams was extremely productive at Utah and all over the field and like Johnson below the biggest knock on his testing is his 40. Good ball player.

4)     Josh Jones, Jr, NC State, 6’ 1” 220 lbs – Expected Starter (7.0)

Stats – TFLs: 3.5, PD: 11, 40: 4.41, 3-Cone: 7.05, Short Shuttle: 4.40

Josh Jones tested out pretty well, but he flies to the ball with a lack of awareness and abandonment that worries me. He was productive at NC State, but his 3-Cone is significantly worse than his peers here. Is he more of a straight line athlete? I think he is and that’s going to hurt is utility.

5)     John Johnson, Sr, Boston College, 6’ 0” 208 lbs – Expected Starter (7.0)

Stats – TFLs: 2.5, PD: 12, 40: 4.61, 3-Cone: 6.72, Short Shuttle: 4.18

Johnson played on a set of great Boston College defenses. He’s got good feet and was impactful in the passing game. The biggest knock here is his 4.61 40 time, but what he lacks straight line, I’m willing to bet on his quickness changing directions to compensate for.

Strong Safety

1)     Jamal Adams, Jr, LSU, 6’ 0” 214 lbs – Starter (7.5)

Stats – TFLs: 7.5, PD: 5, 40: 4.40, 3-Cone: 6.96, Short Shuttle: 4.13

Adams is very good and had the honor of wearing #18 at LSU. That jersey number is an honor bestowed upon a player who the staff and AD feel embodies hard work and dedication to the team. Combine that with his measurable and Adams is a high floor player that is going to fall a bit because of positional value.

2)     Obi Melifonwu, Sr, UCONN, 6’ 4” 224 lbs – Starter (7.3)

Stats – TFLs: 2.5, PD: 7, 40: 4.40, 3-Cone: 7.07, Short Shuttle: 4.30

Obi picked up the UCONN freak mantle. He also played well, and although he’s not a heavy hitter as his body type would suggest, the kid makes plays and isn’t afraid to get dirty.

3)     Xavier Woods, Sr, Louisiana Tech, 5’ 11” 197 lbs – Starter (7.2)

Stats – TFLs: 6.5, PD: 11, 40: 4.51, 3-Cone: 6.72, Short Shuttle: 4.13

Xavier woods is that box safety that looks to hit, but can move outside and cover or play single high when needed. Woods going to come downhill and crunch you.

4)     Jabrill Peppers, Jr, Michigan, 5’ 11” 213 lbs – Starter (7.1)

Stats – TFLs: 15, PD: 1, 40: 4.46, 3-Cone: N/a, Short Shuttle: N/a

Peppers is an enigma. He played out of position for the good of the team last season. He’s plenty fast enough for safety, I have trouble about his change of direction and hip looseness, but I think he’s a smart football player who needs a coordinator to utilize him properly. Also, like Adoree Jackson, he might be better at running back.

5)     Leo Musso, Sr, Wisconsin, 5’ 10” 194 lbs – Starter (7.1)

Stats – TFLs: 3, PD: 6, 40: 4.59, 3-Cone: 6.57, Short Shuttle: 4.13

Musso is going to be a surprise for people. He was very good the last couple of seasons for Wisconsin and when you add in numbers that look like this. His agility numbers are better than Adams, but I’ll give in to some concern about the 4.59 40.

So there we are, positional ranks are done. The process isn’t over with and I don’t know if I’ll have anything more out late tonight, but I should have three pieces spread out over morning, lunch, and a little before draft time tomorrow. Looking forward to it, excited for the draft.