Which Safety Would You Draft???

[MissionCoach]

Just checked out the Huddle Reports 7 round Mock Draft...they have us taking.........................................


Donte Whitner S 5'11 205 Ohio St. Jr.



Whitner was one of the elite recruits in the country three years ago out of high school. He was recruited as a corner, but got on the field earlier at safety and has not given up the spot since taking over. As a sophomore, despite being slowed by a knee injury, he totaled 69 tackles, four of them coming for a loss. This past season he was one of three Ohio St. defensive backs to earn 1st Team All Big 10, after finishing with career highs of 73 tackles, nine for loss, four sacks, and two interceptions.
Donte Whitner is a talented safety prospect. He is a good athlete, has good speed, but his best attribute is his physicality. He flies around the field looking to tackle someone, and will not let anyone get in his way. He is very aggressive in the secondary. Whitner will hit you in the mouth, and wraps up to finish the play. He also has very good cover ability. Whitner has played strong safety, but may project better at free. He may even get a look as a corner for some teams, but is a work in progress there as he has no experience there.
As a strong safety, Whitner is undersized. Thats why he may move over to free safety. He has all the talent to match up in single coverage, but at times gets turned around because he is not used to being locked up man to man. If he stays at strong, he will have problems covering tight ends because of his lack of size. Whitner is an interesting prospect. He is an excellent safety, and could have an immediate impact at that position. But, he may also have the talent to project as a cornerback for some teams, but he will need a lot of work to make that move. I believe he projects best at free safety, but will be a standout at either safety spot. This is a deep safety class, but Whitner is as good as any of them. He has an outside shot at landing in the Top 50 despite all the talent in this safety class.

Which Safety would you pick for the Boys???

[K-Mart]

Depends on what round. Only safety I take, if available, is Jimmy Williams in the 1st. Allen or Bullocks in the 2nd, or that kid from Syracuse in the 3rd.

[morasp]

I would like to get him. The Sporting news has him rated as second round talent.

[AmishCowboy]

I'am really leaning on Anthony Smith from Syracuse, he should be there in the 2nd.

[cowboysfan31]

I'll take Allen in the 2nd (highly unlikely) or Watkins or Smith in the 3rd round. Everyone is all over Simpson's jock, but he's only got 2 years of real football experience, he's as dumb as a rock, and I've seen some reports that he' rather immature. He's been getting by on physical ability thus far and I think he'll be exposed in the NFL.

[MissionCoach]

I would like to get him. The Sporting news has him rated as second round talent.

That's exactly where they are projecting we will draft Whitner, with the 49th pick in the 2nd round.

[hendog]

Pat Watkins, Jason Allen or Whitner all in the 2nd.

[big dog cowboy]

Depends on how free agency goes between now and then. If we don't sign a FS, we better draft one on day one. At that point, I trust the scouts to say which is the best one to take when we are on the clock.

[wick]

I won't be surprised if Cedric Griffin emerges as the best free safety in this draft. And yes, I know he was a corner at Texas.

[ConcordCowboy]

Did someone mention Donte Whitner S Ohio St.?:D

In the second round of course I'm all for it!

[silver]

Depends on what round. Only safety I take, if available, is Jimmy Williams in the 1st. Allen or Bullocks in the 2nd, or that kid from Syracuse in the 3rd.
:signmast: what he said.

[Z-Man]

Whitner is the best coverage free safety in this draft and a perfect fit for this secondary. He also clocked at 4.39 and 4.37 in the 40 at Ohio State's pro day. I don't think he'll last until 18th of the second round so if BP likes him he better trade down in the first or trade up in the 2nd to nab him.

[DawnOfANewD]

If for some reason we don't pick a FS until the 3rd round, there's a tiny chance Pat Watkins and Greg Blue could last until then and they'd be nice value picks. Maybe Roman Harper in the 5th round or later for depth should we choose to forgo a FS in the early rounds and stick with incumbents Beriault and K. Davis as the top starting candidates.

[JohnsKey19]

Watkins in the 2nd round

[DLCassidy]

Whitner is the best player right now at FS BUT the best physical prospect at FS in Pat Watkins of FSU. At 6'4" and 211 lbs with 4.4 speed he's a guy that can match up with the big receivers in the red zone. He's only got 2 years starting experience so he's probably not ready to start year 1. He'd be a great 3rd round choice. I actually like him better than Ko Simpson who also only has 2 years starting experience and is as dumb as a bag of rocks.

[ghst187]

I'll take Allen in the 2nd (highly unlikely) or Watkins or Smith in the 3rd round. Everyone is all over Simpson's jock, but he's only got 2 years of real football experience, he's as dumb as a rock, and I've seen some reports that he' rather immature. He's been getting by on physical ability thus far and I think he'll be exposed in the NFL.

Jason Allen is the dude because of:
1) Value: due to injury Sr year, dropped off a lot of teams radar, should be there in the second, similar player to Huff
2) Maturity, intelligent: quality guy
3) Leadership: was the heart of UT defense and a fiery leader
4) Coverage skills: could play CB in pinch, excels in coverage, just what we need
5) Speed: 4.3 40
6) Size: 6'2, 200+
7) Great tackler, a must for a FS

[Sitting Bull]

I don't know much about Whitner but he sounds intriguing. I think Jimmy Williams is a punk and hope we avoid him like the plague. I agree with cowboysfan31's take on Ko Simpson. Per my sig, I like Danieal Manning in the third. He's raw but versatile, having played corner, and can return kicks. I also would be very OK with Bullocks or Watkins but not where we pick in the second round. I also like Anthony Smith but think his lack of true athleticism limits his upside. Given our Paul P connection, I'd feel like we were getting inside info on good value if we were to pick him up in day two.

[MissionCoach]

As I said in a different post...everything I have been reading about this years draft class, points to a very deep talent pool at Safety...let's hope Ireland finds us a Starting FS in either the 2nd or 3rd rounds...NO MORE PROJECTS!!!!

Hopefully this is the year we break the SECOND ROUND JINX!!!! :bang2: :pray2: :enough: :crossed:

[cowboysfan31]

Jason Allen is the dude because of:
1) Value: due to injury Sr year, dropped off a lot of teams radar, should be there in the second, similar player to Huff
2) Maturity, intelligent: quality guy
3) Leadership: was the heart of UT defense and a fiery leader
4) Coverage skills: could play CB in pinch, excels in coverage, just what we need
5) Speed: 4.3 40
6) Size: 6'2, 200+
7) Great tackler, a must for a FS

I know what Allen is capable of and because of that, I don't think he'll be available in the 2nd round. The comments I made were in reference to Ko Simpson.

[stasheroo]

Whitner is the best coverage free safety in this draft and a perfect fit for this secondary. He also clocked at 4.39 and 4.37 in the 40 at Ohio State's pro day. I don't think he'll last until 18th of the second round so if BP likes him he better trade down in the first or trade up in the 2nd to nab him.

Whitner is my choice as well - in Round 2.

I think he'd make a great free safety and the perfect compliment to Roy Williams.

:pray2:

[ghst187]

I know what Allen is capable of and because of that, I don't think he'll be available in the 2nd round. The comments I made were in reference to Ko Simpson.

I know, I was spinning off of your Jason Allen in the second inference, I tend to agree with your Ko analysis.

I do believe that Allen will last til the second, probably not to our pick, but somewhere in the second.
I think he's a first round talent but I don't think there's a place for him in the first considering what teams are drafting in the latter part of round 1 and their needs. The reason Huff and Williams are projecting mid first is because a lot of teams are looking at them to play CB. A S usually slips a little in the draft, esp if he's not a SS, and I think teams look at Allen as a FS vice a CB.
Of course that's my opinion.

[dbair1967]

If for some reason we don't pick a FS until the 3rd round, there's a tiny chance Pat Watkins and Greg Blue could last until then and they'd be nice value picks. Maybe Roman Harper in the 5th round or later for depth should we choose to forgo a FS in the early rounds and stick with incumbents Beriault and K. Davis as the top starting candidates.

Greg Blue has absolutely ZERO coverage ability and NO ball skills

he has NO shot at being a FS in the NFL...he's a big hitter, but thats it

David

[Clove]

In order
1.Michael Huff
2.Jimmy Williams
3.Jason Allen
4.KO Simpson
5.Pat Watkins
6.Donte Whitner
7.Anthony Smith

[Silverstar]

In order
1.Michael Huff
2.Jimmy Williams
3.Jason Allen
4.KO Simpson
5.Pat Watkins
6.Donte Whitner
7.Anthony Smith


Looks good to me.

[CM Duck]

I won't be surprised if Cedric Griffin emerges as the best free safety in this draft. And yes, I know he was a corner at Texas.

took the words right outta my mouth.

didn't he play FS in the Rose Bowl?

[jbsg02]

i like whitner

[ABQCOWBOY]

I've been on Griffin's jock since forever so I guess he's my guy. Ced Griffin in the 3rd.

[JonJon]

Jason Allen is the dude because of:
1) Value: due to injury Sr year, dropped off a lot of teams radar, should be there in the second, similar player to Huff
2) Maturity, intelligent: quality guy
3) Leadership: was the heart of UT defense and a fiery leader
4) Coverage skills: could play CB in pinch, excels in coverage, just what we need
5) Speed: 4.3 40
6) Size: 6'2, 200+
7) Great tackler, a must for a FS

:signmast: I agree. Allen is the most complete as far as leadership and talent IMO and would be a 2nd round steal if we can get him there.

[ghst187]

Jason Allen in the second or Pat Watkins in the third

[MiStar]

I would take Whitner in the first round and if he dropped to the second, I'd have a hard time passing him up. He has unparalled closing speed for a safety - think Bob Sanders or a bulked up Terrance Newman. He also has excellent leaping ability, which when paired with good ball skills which should translate into turnovers, although he was never much of a turnover machine at OSU.

That being said, I think he's better suited to corner. He has the potential to be the same kind of player as Terrence Newman, but played safety at OSU due to need. I would draft him as a FS, looking to convert him into a corner in a couple years to take over for Anthony Henry.

[Clove]

I would take Whitner in the first round and if he dropped to the second, I'd have a hard time passing him up. He has unparalled closing speed for a safety - think Bob Sanders or a bulked up Terrance Newman. He also has excellent leaping ability, which when paired with good ball skills which should translate into turnovers, although he was never much of a turnover machine at OSU.

That being said, I think he's better suited to corner. He has the potential to be the same kind of player as Terrence Newman, but played safety at OSU due to need. I would draft him as a FS, looking to convert him into a corner in a couple years to take over for Anthony Henry.I've done a little more reading up on Whitner, and he seems like a complete stud. They barely had anything bad to say about the guys skills. I'm starting to become a believer, but Allen is still my favorite so far.

[MiStar]

I've done a little more reading up on Whitner, and he seems like a complete stud. They barely had anything bad to say about the guys skills. I'm starting to become a believer, but Allen is still my favorite so far.

Whitner isn't perfect. He will miss more tackles than you'd like, and he doesn't have much experience as a "center fielder", or much experience in general. He only started for two years in college.

[Portland Fanatic]

give me Jason Allen in the 2nd...if still on the board.

[50cent]

Jon Alston in the 2nd

[Bob Sacamano]

I'd take Daniel Bullocks in the 2nd round

[cobra]

I would only take Ko Simpson in the first if Wimbley, Lawson, and Carpenter are all gone (not going to happen).

In the second, I would take Jason Allen or Daniel Bullocks if they are there.

In the third, I would take either of the two above or Pat Watkins.

[burmafrd]

As has been pointed out- tackling ability is an absolute must since the FS is the last guy between the end zone and the WR. So 4.4 speed is a great thing to have; recovery time is critical as well. Of course coverage skills are a must. BUT you have to have some size as well. over 6'0 and over 200 lbs are the minimums. Jason Allen seems to fit all those and is considered smart and a leader as well.

[Woods]

Whitner
J Allen
or Bullocks in the 2nd, and in that order.

Watkins or Smith in the 3rd, or
D. Manning in the 4th, if we can pick up a 4th rounder.

I doubt Whitner or Allen will be around for our 49th overall pick (I think that's what we have in the 2nd round), but you never know.

[StanleySpadowski]

Allen in the second would be ideal but I don't think he'll drop that far. Zemaitis would be great in round two also.

Without either of those two, I'd like to see Smith or Lowry in the fourth with a player like Coleman brought in as insurance.


I'm not really sold on Watkins.

[Woods]

Allen in the second would be ideal but I don't think he'll drop that far. Zemaitis would be great in round two also.

Without either of those two, I'd like to see Smith or Lowry in the fourth with a player like Coleman brought in as insurance.


I'm not really sold on Watkins.

Zemaitis seems like an interesting player in that he's versaltile enough to also play FS in the pros given his size, etc. And I guess we could also have him play CB in a pinch.

I think he's another 2nd rounder projection.

[MiStar]

I'm a big fan of Zemaitis as well. He's an absolute ball hawk.

[Woods]

I'm a big fan of Zemaitis as well. He's an absolute ball hawk.

Lucky for us that FS is DEEP this year in the Draft!

[Dalmations202]

I am uncertain of the best coverage FS available, but if we get down to the 5th or 6th round and Dwayne Slay from Tech is still available, he would be an awesome backup for Roy Williams. He isn't that fast, and isn't that good in coverage, but man will he lay the wood on anything coming his way.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Allen in the second would be ideal but I don't think he'll drop that far. Zemaitis would be great in round two also.

Without either of those two, I'd like to see Smith or Lowry in the fourth with a player like Coleman brought in as insurance.


I'm not really sold on Watkins.

Stan, Get on board here. Think Griffin!

:laugh2:

[ABQCOWBOY]

I am uncertain of the best coverage FS available, but if we get down to the 5th or 6th round and Dwayne Slay from Tech is still available, he would be an awesome backup for Roy Williams. He isn't that fast, and isn't that good in coverage, but man will he lay the wood on anything coming his way.

I think we already have that guy in Barry-O.