Two guys with similar names. Both sound pretty appealing as project safeties in Rounds 3 or 4 -- big, hard-hitting, fast enough, no-nonsense.

The two third/fourth round Safeties I like the most are:


Josh Gattis
S | (6'1", 206, 4.46) | WAKE FOREST

Scouts Grade: 67

John Wendling
S | (6'0", 222, 4.4) | WYOMING

Scouts Grade: 64

I would give them both serious consideration in the 3rd/4th round.
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C.J. Gaddis
CB | (6'0", 208, 4.46) | CLEMSON

Scouts Grade: 67
He's not polished and would be a project at FS. So, I wouldn't advice drafting him any higher than the late fourth/early fifth. I would much rather draft Gattis or
Wendling.
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Here's someone for the late rounds (5-7) that I don't hear anyone talk about:

JD Nelson
S | (5'10", 215, 4.57) | OREGON

Scouts Grade: 56

Very good against the run...strong hitter...sure tackler...plays mean...has a high motor...is very good at short, to mid zone coverage, and is a good special teamer.

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He's hurting his stock with his latest 40 times in the mid-4.6's...he's worth a look as a UDFA.

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So he'll drop from a mid-to late rounder (as projected) to a UDFA because his latest 40 time was slow? People put far to much stock into "40 times" when evaluating talent. I would much rather know his ten splits, and his recognition skills at SS, than his 40 time. Depending on what NE does with their earlier picks Nelson could be worth a late round selection. I watched him play about 4 times this year, and the guy is a solid player. I'd rather draft him with a sixth-seventh rounder than have Mitchell, and Baker as backups.

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Drop a Safety due to slow 40 times? You bet, they need to be able to cover a lot of ground with some consistency.

If his read-react skills/instincts make up for foot-speed, that's a valid adjustment to his value, but those "slower" 40 times at the second Pro-day don't sell him at the Safety position. I have no Oregon tape to watch, so I'll accept he's got good recognition skills on your say-so, but I can also find other Safeties late day two and UDFA who were also productive in college and may get similar write-ups from draftnik sites or folks posting here - it's a deep Safety draft and Nelson's 40's didn't move him closer to the shallow end of the pool.

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HE has tested faster than 4.6 in the 40, so he must have had an off day. JD is a good run stuffer/in the box safety. He doesn't have great deep coverage, but he is good at short, to mid range coverage, and is very good at keeping receivers in front of him, and separating them from the ball. He hits with some force, and plays mean. Even if his deep coverage is lacking he would be worth the late round pick just for his run support, and hitting ability.

Obviously this is not the game film, but these highlights will at least show you some of his hitting ability:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-PxkVxgess (Big hit on 3rd & 7 against Stanford. He also used good form by wrapping up, and driving through.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ZYx0NcIMU (Blitzing from his Safety position, and nailing the QB)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmhOionvetg (Hits Paul Williams about 25 yards downfield)

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I love Gattis. As I've stated before his game is about smarts and he brings leadership and playmaking. I think he has dropped from a solid 3rd rounder to now a late 4th rounder. So if we get a 4th round comp pick, I'm hoping he's the guy.
Gaddis had 1 great game last year, shutting down C Johnson of Ga Tech, and a bunch of less than par games. He appears to be a workout warrior as opposed to a player. I liked him a lot, but rewatching the Wake and Carolina games has scared me off him a bit. He still could contribute as a return guy.

Got it. Gattis could be a good mid-round add. Thanks!

What do folks think of UMaine's Darren Stone and UHouston's Will Gulley? Are they draftable, or UDFAs?

If I were the FO, I would be very aggressive in the UDFA market, immediately after the last pick is made.

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