2019 Safety Class

cnuball21

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I think Woods has some position flex to play FS or SS depending on the guy we may draft.

Savage, Rapp, and Abram would be great picks at 58 and all of them have different skill sets. Pair any of them with Woods and I feel a hell of a lot better about our safety tandem.

You don't want Woods playing SS...he's an incredibly inconsistent tackler.

He either needs to play FS or nickel CB.
 

cnuball21

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Can we also talk about Amani Hooker? I know there were some concerns about athleticism - but in a safety if the tape and scouting reports scream great eyes and instincts I'm going to cut the player some slack.

Also - Hooker tested well above expectations. Per SPARQ scores, he's a better athlete than:

CGJ
Jon Abram
Marquise Blair
Zedrick Woods
 

VACowboy

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If you want a single high FS, I don’t think this is your draft. Adderley and Savage night be it...maybe Thompson.

Most of these dudes are more downhill players kenzone guys.
I don't know much about any of these guys except Thornhill.

He was a durable three-year starter at Virginia. He played corner his second and third years and moved to safety as a senior. An explosive athlete with good size, great speed and a real nose for the ball, Juan is excellent in coverage and is an aggressive tackler, and while he excelled at safety I think his best position as a pro may be slot corner--the tall, long prototype Chris Richards looks for. He's a smart player who seems to adapt and learn fast. He improved every year at UVA and as a senior compiled 98 tackles and 6 INTs. I think he would start somewhere as a rookie in Dallas and have an impact no matter where that is.

BTW, it blows me away that Olamide Zaccheaus didn't get a combine invite. He's also a three-year starter who began his career at RB and played 12 games as a freshman. He led the ACC in receptions in 2018 with 93 and totaled 1058 yards and 9 TD on the season. He's #2 all-time in receptions in the conference and #20 all-time in TDs. At 5'8" 190, the former RB has great quickness and great hands and is a spectacular runner after the catch. It'll be interesting to see what he does at his pro day but all he did in Charlottesville was get open and move the chains. He's a bigger, faster Bease with real running skills, and I'd LOVE to see him in Dallas.
 

cnuball21

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I don't know much about any of these guys except Thornhill.

He was a durable three-year starter at Virginia. He played corner his second and third years and moved to safety as a senior. An explosive athlete with good size, great speed and a real nose for the ball, Juan is excellent in coverage and is an aggressive tackler, and while he excelled at safety I think his best position as a pro may be slot corner--the tall, long prototype Chris Richards looks for. He's a smart player who seems to adapt and learn fast. He improved every year at UVA and as a senior compiled 98 tackles and 6 INTs. I think he would start somewhere as a rookie in Dallas and have an impact no matter where that is.

BTW, it blows me away that Olamide Zaccheaus didn't get a combine invite. He's also a three-year starter who began his career at RB and played 12 games as a freshman. He led the ACC in receptions in 2018 with 93 and totaled 1058 yards and 9 TD on the season. He's #2 all-time in receptions in the conference and #20 all-time in TDs. At 5'8" 190, the former RB has great quickness and great hands and is a spectacular runner after the catch. It'll be interesting to see what he does at his pro day but all he did in Charlottesville was get open and move the chains. He's a bigger, faster Bease with real running skills, and I'd LOVE to see him in Dallas.

Judging by your signature I’ll take you word as someone who knows UVA football!

Great analysis! And with how much teams are throwing now your safeties have to be able to cover to an extent so I like the CB experience.

Thornhill is one of my favorite players in the draft. Think he’d be a great add for us.
 

Mr_437

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I don't know much about any of these guys except Thornhill.

He was a durable three-year starter at Virginia. He played corner his second and third years and moved to safety as a senior. An explosive athlete with good size, great speed and a real nose for the ball, Juan is excellent in coverage and is an aggressive tackler, and while he excelled at safety I think his best position as a pro may be slot corner--the tall, long prototype Chris Richards looks for. He's a smart player who seems to adapt and learn fast. He improved every year at UVA and as a senior compiled 98 tackles and 6 INTs. I think he would start somewhere as a rookie in Dallas and have an impact no matter where that is.

BTW, it blows me away that Olamide Zaccheaus didn't get a combine invite. He's also a three-year starter who began his career at RB and played 12 games as a freshman. He led the ACC in receptions in 2018 with 93 and totaled 1058 yards and 9 TD on the season. He's #2 all-time in receptions in the conference and #20 all-time in TDs. At 5'8" 190, the former RB has great quickness and great hands and is a spectacular runner after the catch. It'll be interesting to see what he does at his pro day but all he did in Charlottesville was get open and move the chains. He's a bigger, faster Bease with real running skills, and I'd LOVE to see him in Dallas.

Months ago, I thought Juan was best as a big CB and he might be, but his ball skills and range at FS is on point.Would be ok with him at 58, but I expect a DL.

I forgot about Zaccheaus, he is under the radar, and he can ball. A good mid to late round slot to keep in mind.
 

cnuball21

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Months ago, I thought Juan was best as a big CB and he might be, but his ball skills and range at FS is on point.Would be ok with him at 58, but I expect a DL.

I forgot about Zaccheaus, he is under the radar, and he can ball. A good mid to late round slot to keep in mind.

I liked Thornhill and Hooker...but thought they both be mediocre arthletes and wondered if they could play S at the next level.

Come to find out the had 2 if the hugest SPARQ scores at the combine.

You can’t teach eyes and instincts - and these kids have em.
 

Mr_437

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I liked Thornhill and Hooker...but thought they both be mediocre arthletes and wondered if they could play S at the next level.

Come to find out the had 2 if the hugest SPARQ scores at the combine.

You can’t teach eyes and instincts - and these kids have em.
I have to agree
 

Daygoboy6191

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I see Hooker as more of a SS who can come down play the box, can jump passing routes. He would be good as a LB in passing downs, although he has cover skills and very instinctive I think he wouldn't be great at covering a lot of ground on deep passes vs using his instincts in dropping back as a zone LB and surveying the field.
 

cnuball21

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I see Hooker as more of a SS who can come down play the box, can jump passing routes. He would be good as a LB in passing downs, although he has cover skills and very instinctive I think he wouldn't be great at covering a lot of ground on deep passes vs using his instincts in dropping back as a zone LB and surveying the field.

Agreed. Not suited for a single high, but solid zone defender. I think he’d make a great SS for us.

He’s also a really good slot defender.
 

Daygoboy6191

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Agreed. Not suited for a single high, but solid zone defender. I think he’d make a great SS for us.

He’s also a really good slot defender.

The closer you play him to the LOS the better, but that doesn't fill the real hole we need as a guy who can cover ground and make plays on the ball. This is where Thornhill and Tell come into play for me, and if you can get both that would be amazing you could disguise and switch the personnel.
 

cnuball21

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The closer you play him to the LOS the better, but that doesn't fill the real hole we need as a guy who can cover ground and make plays on the ball. This is where Thornhill and Tell come into play for me, and if you can get both that would be amazing you could disguise and switch the personnel.

We need to upgrade both Safety spots. Woods has more upside, but he really struggles with tackling and is best suited to play FS and as a nickel defender.

If we can find a better FS, go for it...but I'd love a SS that can cover and give us an upgrade against the run.
 

Daygoboy6191

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I totally agree, and think the depth of getting 2 safeties in the draft if we don't in FA allows you to role Woods down in the nickel position while it allows you to play him at FS as well.

Again I like Tell because he can do the same things and you can mix the 2 safeties between the two positions and if you add Thornhill you have 3 guys who can be on the field at the same time and mix up between 3 positions. That would be a nightmare for teams.
 

cnuball21

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I totally agree, and think the depth of getting 2 safeties in the draft if we don't in FA allows you to role Woods down in the nickel position while it allows you to play him at FS as well.

Again I like Tell because he can do the same things and you can mix the 2 safeties between the two positions and if you add Thornhill you have 3 guys who can be on the field at the same time and mix up between 3 positions. That would be a nightmare for teams.

I think you might be overvaluing Tell. He's an incredible athlete, but at this point he's better athlete than football player. He didn't stand out doing anything last year.
I'm a big fan of SPARQ and drafting on traits, but not in the top 100.

 

Daygoboy6191

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I think you might be overvaluing Tell. He's an incredible athlete, but at this point he's better athlete than football player. He didn't stand out doing anything last year.
I'm a big fan of SPARQ and drafting on traits, but not in the top 100.



As I mentioned before he is playing with the worst coaching staff in the nation. They had the #4 best composite rankings in college football for player rankings and they went 5-7 that is almost impossible to do and I watched every game and it wasn't talent it was coaching.

You are 100% correct he is a better athlete then football player, and is the reason why I say you give him a DB coaching Guru to coach him he has the ability to be complete steal in this draft.
 

cnuball21

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As I mentioned before he is playing with the worst coaching staff in the nation. They had the #4 best composite rankings in college football for player rankings and they went 5-7 that is almost impossible to do and I watched every game and it wasn't talent it was coaching.

You are 100% correct he is a better athlete then football player, and is the reason why I say you give him a DB coaching Guru to coach him he has the ability to be complete steal in this draft.

I agree to an extent, but there's still a good amount of risk involved. I'm not touching him until the 4th at the earliest...when were you thinking?
 

Daygoboy6191

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I agree to an extent, but there's still a good amount of risk involved. I'm not touching him until the 4th at the earliest...when were you thinking?

I was thinking the same, although I wouldn't be terribly mad if it was with our 3rd considering it's essentially a 4th.
 

cnuball21

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I was thinking the same, although I wouldn't be terribly mad if it was with our 3rd considering it's essentially a 4th.

I'd be ok in the 4th...but with our 3rd I'd much happier with someone like Hooker or Savage.
 

gmoney112

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This safety class is funny. It's pretty deep, but I don't know if there's a single dude at S who i'd take at 58 over other players I expect to be there. (DL/OL)

Okay, maybe the Alabama guy.

There's going to be some good value there in the 3rd and 4th though. I fully expect us to draft one then. Probably with one of our 4ths, I imagine, unless someone like Thornhill is there in round 3.

I'm curious to see how Richards evaluates them and who he ends up going with, because you know he's going to have a lot of say in the process. Very interested to see if we go more SS (which we could really upgrade given how they're used nowadays in cover 3/man schemes) or FS type.
 
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