My Top 4 Safeties (Surprises)

[dantheman41]

I have been watching a lot of tape on all of the top 10 or so safeties in this coming draft. There are 4 that I am in love with. All would fit this scheme excellent, and would present great value. Others I liked, but not at present value. I would take any of these guys!


1. Jonathan Cyprien

Strengths: Excellent in zone and man coverage. Always seemed to be around the ball. Delivered the big hit a lot as soon as ball was delivered. Has excellent instincts, and always seems to know where QB is going with the ball.

Weaknesses: Not overly physical in running game. Seems disinterested at times in run game, and can't disengage blocks great.

2. Duke Williams

Strengths: Very explosive player. Makes a lot of tackles, and is always around the ball. Very good in all kinds of coverages. Isn't afraid to lineup against any receiver. Runs full speed every play. Chased down a lot of plays from the back. Great special teams player as well.

Weaknesses: At times over aggressive and over runs plays and fails to wrap up tackler. Not a great form tackler. Has kind of a slight build. Because of his over aggression at times, can be faked with double moves. Plays with him back to the ball a lot which makes it very hard for him to make any plays on the ball.

3. Shamarko Thomas

Strengths: Extremely active. Not afraid of anyone of anything. Excellent in run game, and plays head on. Surprisingly good and aggressive in coverage despite his size. Saw him line up against opposing teams best WR and do a very nice job. Great on special teams as well. Extremely fast. Receivers could not get away from him. Made a lot of tackles chasing people down.

Weaknesses: Of course his height. Didn't seem to hurt him much in college, but maybe it gets exposed in the NFL. Whiffs on a lot of tackles because of his aggression.

4. JJ Wilcox

Strengths: Little harder to evaluate because of competition, but was quite impressive. Literally every single play it seemed he was either in the pile, or making the stop. Stood out like a sore thumb. He seemed to be a jack of a trades. Hard to believe where his team would be without him. Very reliable tackler. Played well in coverage as well.

Negatives: Honestly it was hard to see anything. Seemed to do everything well, but of course the competition isn't the greatest.

 

[Muhast]

I'm not interested in JJ Wilcox. He played at GSU who always has good football teams(they actually gave Bama a decent run for their money a few years ago) and he is supposed to be a good athlete but:

He played WR/RB for his first 3 years, and switched to SS for his senior year. He apparently did pretty well, but I am tired of taking projects. I want a player who is ready to play within a year or 2 at the most. The only way I'm interested in Wilcox is if he is very late in the draft, but seeing as he is predicted to go in the 3rd, I wouldn't touch him.

Shamarko is Bob Sanders jr. You can't help but make the connection. He is described as a S/LB hybrid, and short and compact. He can fly though, that is for sure. I am interested in him. Depends on the round.

Duke, I will be honest, I haven't watched him play a single game. I don't know much about him.

Quite a few fans like Cyp, so that is no surprise. I think he goes before we pick in the 2nd. We'd have to trade up for him IMO.

Just curious: What rounds are you interested in these guys? I know you mentioned they are all great values.

I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the other top 10, and if you don't mind which games in particular you watched that gave you that impression.

Thanks for posting!

 

[dantheman41]

I'm not interested in JJ Wilcox. He played at GSU who always has good football teams(they actually gave Bama a decent run for their money a few years ago) and he is supposed to be a good athlete but:

He played WR/RB for his first 3 years, and switched to SS for his senior year. He apparently did pretty well, but I am tired of taking projects. I want a player who is ready to play within a year or 2 at the most. The only way I'm interested in Wilcox is if he is very late in the draft, but seeing as he is predicted to go in the 3rd, I wouldn't touch him.

Shamarko is Bob Sanders jr. You can't help but make the connection. He is described as a S/LB hybrid, and short and compact. He can fly though, that is for sure. I am interested in him. Depends on the round.

Duke, I will be honest, I haven't watched him play a single game. I don't know much about him.

Quite a few fans like Cyp, so that is no surprise. I think he goes before we pick in the 2nd. We'd have to trade up for him IMO.

Just curious: What rounds are you interested in these guys? I know you mentioned they are all great values.

I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the other top 10, and if you don't mind which games in particular you watched that gave you that impression.

Thanks for posting!

Well around the top 10 or so. Here are games I watched for each player:

Vaccaro - (Texas Tech, Oregon State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State) -
I feel first half of the 1st round is WAY too rich for him. Don't see a big difference between him and some of the others. Is very fluid in coverage and a smooth moving athlete. More quick then fast. Good blitzer. Takes bad angles on tackles. To me, he plays more slot corner then anything else, and to be honest he wasn't great in his coverage. Saw a lot of receivers not only makes catches on him, but were consistently open. Not a great tackler either. Whiffs on a lot!

Elam - (LSU, Texas A&M) - In the box type of safety. Didn't use a lot in coverage. Explosive athlete. Big hitter. When used in coverage, looks a little lost. Not the type of safety this team is looking for.

Reid - (Miss St, Texas A&M, South Carolina) - Liked him more then I was expecting. Isn't GREAT at anything, but a solid football player. Is around the ball a lot. Makes a ton of tackles. Not great in man coverage, but when used as a single high safety was impressive in zone. Powerful hitter, but needs to wrap up a little better.

Swearinger - (Clemson, LSU) - Nothing thrills me about this player. Didn't think he did anything particularly well. Had some nice hits, but seems afraid to get his head in there. Not around the ball a lot.

Thomas - (Oregon) - One tape of this player turned me off enough. I thought I was going to LOVE this player based on reading scouting reports and such, but was beyond disappointed. I don't care how many turnovers or interceptions he has when he is an AWFUL tackler. Missed too many tackles to count.

Cyprien - (Louisville, Florida Atlantic) - Thoughts above. Would take if we traded down to end of 1st or beginning of 2nd. Not worth moving up for, too many other guys I like later to waste extra picks.

Thomas - (USC, Pitt) - Thoughts above. Have a feeling Cowboys won't draft him because of his height, and wanting to use him as a single high. But I think this guy is worth taking end of 2nd round.

Williams - (Boise State) - Thoughts above. I loved this player. Wish I could watch more of him. I would definitely take him as high as the 3rd.

Wilcox - (Stamford) - Thoughts above. I would rank Williams a little higher because of the competition level, but I would take Wilcox end of the 3rd/4th.

 

[jobberone]

Nice, nice work. I agree about the SC safety. Not consistent but the pro game may fix that with more coaching.

 

[9darter]

Totally agree about Phillip Thomas. After I watched him more carefully, I was almost completely turned off. Even if he's there in the sixth round, I think you can find better value in a RB.

Excellent work, Dan. Again.

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

Very very interesting. Wheres Rambo?

 

[dantheman41]

Very very interesting. Wheres Rambo?

Didn't even bother because I know he's not on their board with his off the field issues

 

[Muhast]

Didn't even bother because I know he's not on their board with his off the field issues

But you include duke williams who was arrested twice in the last 3 years.

I appreciate your breakdowns btw. You watched quite a few games for them!

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

But you include duke williams who was arrested twice in the last 3 years.

I appreciate your breakdowns btw. You watched quite a few games for them!

If I am not mistaken, Rambo's suspensions are the result of positive Drug Tests.

Williams, on the other hand, all happened in his Freshman year where he was sited for Minor in possession of Alcohol, for being in a car with a team mate who was arrested for shop lifting and one for getting in a fist fight with a team mate.

Now, I'm not trying to say that any of the incidents are good but I think that the flags with Rambo might be viewed in a more negative light then those of Williams. Plus, Rambo will likely go higher then Williams and the investment will be greater.

 

[Muhast]

If I am not mistaken, Rambo's suspensions are the result of positive Drug Tests.

Williams, on the other hand, all happened in his Freshman year where he was sited for Minor in possession of Alcohol, for being in a car with a team mate who was arrested for shop lifting and one for getting in a fist fight with a team mate.

Now, I'm not trying to say that any of the incidents are good but I think that the flags with Rambo might be viewed in a more negative light then those of Williams. Plus, Rambo will likely go higher then Williams and the investment will be greater.

Duke was suspended three times his freshman year alone, and williams got arrested in 2011 as well.driving on suspended license. The fight with his teammate his freshman year sent the guy to the hospital. Rambo failed one drug test. He was suspended for violating team rules bc he got pulled over in a car with a girl who had marijuana. He passed the drug test but was suspended a game anyways.

 

[slomoxn]

I'm liking what I read about this Rambo kids abilities, I hope Dallas takes a good look at him and doesn't stick absolutely to the RKG mantra. I think you miss out on a few players that with the right structure can really turn it around and become all you think they can. Oh well, we'll see

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Duke was suspended three times his freshman year alone, and williams got arrested in 2011 as well.driving on suspended license. The fight with his teammate his freshman year sent the guy to the hospital. Rambo failed one drug test. He was suspended for violating team rules bc he got pulled over in a car with a girl who had marijuana. He passed the drug test but was suspended a game anyways.

Was not aware of the 2011 incident but it is a consideration, to be sure. Driving on a suspended license. He was in a car accident and sited. However, he was not arrested for driving on a suspended license. He was arrested for not paying a parking ticket. No alcohol was involved.
As to the player going to the hospital, it was superficial. The situation with the other player, Marlon Johnson (starting Safety), was initiated by Johnson. It happened after a party and Williams was not the only player involved in the incident and, Williams was not the one who injured Johnson. The fight took place at Williams' home. Johnson apparently drove away after the altercation. Williams, along with other people drove after Johnson. It was actually another person who threw a rock that struck Johnson and that is how Johnson was hurt. Williams did fight with Johnson but the injuries Johnson sustained were not due to the fight. It was from an outside individual who got involved in the incident after the altercation. After Johnson was injured, the others with Williams left the scene but Williams, Johnson's teammate and the person who had gotten in a fight with him earlier, stayed with Johnson and actually called for help. This is how Johnson got to the Hospital for treatment.

I'm not saying he's the perfect kid. If he were, we would be looking at drafting him in later rounds. He would be a 2nd round pick at worst IMO.

I think that Williams has shown that he has matured since his Freshman. year.


Rambo has been suspended twice. Once for drug related incidents and once for an unspecified team rule violation.

 

[DEMARC0MURRAY29]

Where is Shawn Williams? :bang2:

 

[dantheman41]

Where is Shawn Williams? :bang2:

Could watch him some more. To be honest, I think dallas is either taking Vaccaro, Reid or Cyprien. In that order.

 

[Muhast]

Could watch him some more. To be honest, I think dallas is either taking Vaccaro, Reid or Cyprien. In that order.

I personally like Cyprien more than Vaccaro.

I don't hate the idea of Reid, but I also don't love it. I'll agree with you though, he is a definite reality for us. I like other safeties more, but if we go S in the 2nd, he is probably the guy.