cowboyjoe
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 28,435
- Reaction score
- 757
Draft spotlight: Top 10 safeties
Email this article E-MAIL
Sporting News - Print this article PRINT
COMMENTS 1 Sporting News - User Comments
WATCH THIS TOPIC
Sporting News - RSS Feed
Posted: March 29, 2009
Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a quick look at the top 10 draft prospects at safety:
1. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan (5-11 3/8, 202)
Click here to find out more!
Delmas is a physical playmaker around the ball all the time. He shows great toughness and is versatile enough to play as a deep safety or come up closer to the line, almost like a linebacker over the tight end. His good closing speed allowed him to get away with taking some iffy angles on plays in college, but he must improve in that area in the NFL. Still, he is a leader and an outstanding Senior Bowl week has moved him into the first round and certainly has taken the spot as the No. 1 safety.
2. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech (6-0 5/8, 200)
McBath arguably is the best all-around athlete among the safety prospects, the total package NFL coaches covet. One concern is a thin-looking lower body, especially because of how physical the game has become in the last decade. McBath won't likely be drafted as highly as we have him rated, but a combination of solid athleticism, toughness and coverage skills projects him to be a productive NFL starter in any pro defensive scheme.
3. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State (5-9 5/8, 199)
Pegues made a name for himself in the SEC while developing into the Bulldogs' most consistent performer. He is the type of safety every NFL defensive coach wants, given his superb instincts and playmaking ability. He has the resume of a first-rounder, but most teams are likely to grade him as a second-round pick because he lacks ideal height and did not run as well as expected in pre-draft workouts. That will prove to be a mistake: Pegues plays far enough away from the ball that it should not take long for him to overcome his few deficiencies and develop into an impact player.
4. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina (5-9 3/4, 197)
Cook, a junior, definitely made the right decision coming out early, despite his lack of height.
War Room's best by position:
ILB | OLB | DE | DT | RB
QB | WR | TE | C | G | T
He is extremely athletic and can make plays from sideline to sideline. He plays with an aggressive attitude and is consistently around the ball making big plays vs. the run and pass. He makes a lot of violent, momentum changing hits/tackles. By his second year in the NFL, Cook should be a solid starter.
5. Lardarius Webb, Nicholls State (5-9 3/4, 179)
Webb is a bona fide difference-maker, both as a defensive back and a return man. On defense, he is at his best in bump-and-run coverage, where he re-routes receivers off the line. Webb shows top-flight ball skills, and once he intercepts the ball, he's always looking to score -- and succeeds quite often. Webb's performance at the NFL Scouting Combine and his pro day workout has proven his elite athleticism and has him climbing draft boards all over the league. Webb can change games in a flash.
6. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest (6-1 3/8, 221)
Vaughn's failure to stand out in run support and his tendency to disappear from games are certainly big concerns. However, he consistently shows the athleticism and instincts to be effective in pass coverage, crucial for NFL safeties. Vaughn was solid but not special at the Senior Bowl, which won't drastically hurt his draft value but it certainly didn't help him, either.
7. William Moore, Missouri (6-0 1/2, 221)
Moore is a physical presence and playmaker who flourishes in run support. However, his lack of elite speed hurts him in coverage. His injury problems also are a legitimate concern. In '05, he missed three games because of a hamstring issue, and then later broke a bone in his right foot at the Independence Bowl. He also had shoulder surgery last offseason to repair a torn labrum and missed two games in '08 because of a foot injury. Moore is not an elite prospect, but he still should hear his name called in the third or fourth round of the draft. He might be moved to outside linebacker, a la the Panthers' Thomas Davis.
8. Rashad Johnson, Alabama (5-11 1/4, 200)
Johnson is a good leader but lacks ideal size for an NFL safety. His play during Senior Bowl week was unimpressive and made our scouts question how well he will handle playing in coverage against NFL offenses. However, one bad week shouldn't make him drop too far in the draft, as he shows the traits to be a productive starter.
9. Patrick Chung, Oregon (5-11 3/8, 209)
Chung considered entering the '08 draft but was smart to return to Oregon and improve his stock. He shows the instincts and intelligence to play in any defense, although his deficiencies might be exposed some in the NFL. Expect Chung to contribute as a backup and special teams ace early in his career before developing into a solid, versatile starter.
10. Chris Clemons, Clemson (6-0 1/8, 208)
Clemons was not highly productive in college, making big plays but then disappearing for long stretches. However, an excellent Combine has many coaches and GMs saying he has the physical tools to develop, which likely will get him drafted in the middle rounds after playing like he'd be an undrafted free agent in '08.
For more than 450 in-depth player scouting reports and updated Combine and pro day data, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Email this article E-MAIL
Sporting News - Print this article PRINT
COMMENTS 1 Sporting News - User Comments
WATCH THIS TOPIC
Sporting News - RSS Feed
Posted: March 29, 2009
Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a quick look at the top 10 draft prospects at safety:
1. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan (5-11 3/8, 202)
Click here to find out more!
Delmas is a physical playmaker around the ball all the time. He shows great toughness and is versatile enough to play as a deep safety or come up closer to the line, almost like a linebacker over the tight end. His good closing speed allowed him to get away with taking some iffy angles on plays in college, but he must improve in that area in the NFL. Still, he is a leader and an outstanding Senior Bowl week has moved him into the first round and certainly has taken the spot as the No. 1 safety.
2. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech (6-0 5/8, 200)
McBath arguably is the best all-around athlete among the safety prospects, the total package NFL coaches covet. One concern is a thin-looking lower body, especially because of how physical the game has become in the last decade. McBath won't likely be drafted as highly as we have him rated, but a combination of solid athleticism, toughness and coverage skills projects him to be a productive NFL starter in any pro defensive scheme.
3. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State (5-9 5/8, 199)
Pegues made a name for himself in the SEC while developing into the Bulldogs' most consistent performer. He is the type of safety every NFL defensive coach wants, given his superb instincts and playmaking ability. He has the resume of a first-rounder, but most teams are likely to grade him as a second-round pick because he lacks ideal height and did not run as well as expected in pre-draft workouts. That will prove to be a mistake: Pegues plays far enough away from the ball that it should not take long for him to overcome his few deficiencies and develop into an impact player.
4. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina (5-9 3/4, 197)
Cook, a junior, definitely made the right decision coming out early, despite his lack of height.
War Room's best by position:
ILB | OLB | DE | DT | RB
QB | WR | TE | C | G | T
He is extremely athletic and can make plays from sideline to sideline. He plays with an aggressive attitude and is consistently around the ball making big plays vs. the run and pass. He makes a lot of violent, momentum changing hits/tackles. By his second year in the NFL, Cook should be a solid starter.
5. Lardarius Webb, Nicholls State (5-9 3/4, 179)
Webb is a bona fide difference-maker, both as a defensive back and a return man. On defense, he is at his best in bump-and-run coverage, where he re-routes receivers off the line. Webb shows top-flight ball skills, and once he intercepts the ball, he's always looking to score -- and succeeds quite often. Webb's performance at the NFL Scouting Combine and his pro day workout has proven his elite athleticism and has him climbing draft boards all over the league. Webb can change games in a flash.
6. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest (6-1 3/8, 221)
Vaughn's failure to stand out in run support and his tendency to disappear from games are certainly big concerns. However, he consistently shows the athleticism and instincts to be effective in pass coverage, crucial for NFL safeties. Vaughn was solid but not special at the Senior Bowl, which won't drastically hurt his draft value but it certainly didn't help him, either.
7. William Moore, Missouri (6-0 1/2, 221)
Moore is a physical presence and playmaker who flourishes in run support. However, his lack of elite speed hurts him in coverage. His injury problems also are a legitimate concern. In '05, he missed three games because of a hamstring issue, and then later broke a bone in his right foot at the Independence Bowl. He also had shoulder surgery last offseason to repair a torn labrum and missed two games in '08 because of a foot injury. Moore is not an elite prospect, but he still should hear his name called in the third or fourth round of the draft. He might be moved to outside linebacker, a la the Panthers' Thomas Davis.
8. Rashad Johnson, Alabama (5-11 1/4, 200)
Johnson is a good leader but lacks ideal size for an NFL safety. His play during Senior Bowl week was unimpressive and made our scouts question how well he will handle playing in coverage against NFL offenses. However, one bad week shouldn't make him drop too far in the draft, as he shows the traits to be a productive starter.
9. Patrick Chung, Oregon (5-11 3/8, 209)
Chung considered entering the '08 draft but was smart to return to Oregon and improve his stock. He shows the instincts and intelligence to play in any defense, although his deficiencies might be exposed some in the NFL. Expect Chung to contribute as a backup and special teams ace early in his career before developing into a solid, versatile starter.
10. Chris Clemons, Clemson (6-0 1/8, 208)
Clemons was not highly productive in college, making big plays but then disappearing for long stretches. However, an excellent Combine has many coaches and GMs saying he has the physical tools to develop, which likely will get him drafted in the middle rounds after playing like he'd be an undrafted free agent in '08.
For more than 450 in-depth player scouting reports and updated Combine and pro day data, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
