Seneschal2
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2006
- Messages
- 2,221
- Reaction score
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Rating the Safeties
He has some interesting comments worthy of reading on each. Here's his take on Nelson:This year's draft will provide teams an array of potential playmakers at safety. Three prospects are projected to go in the first round while five or six more defenders could come off the board before the middle of the third round.
1. LaRon Landry
2. Reggie Nelson
3. Brandon Meriweather
4. Michael Griffin
5. Eric Weddle
While possessing the abilities of a Cover 2 cornerback, most evaluators feel Nelson – who thinks of himself as a fearsome hitter in the mold of John Lynch – will be most successful as a free safety. Nelson's combination of speed, instincts, range and study skills make him so dangerous. He's not afraid to come up and cover a wide receiver, but is just as fast to go hit a runner in the mouth. He takes proper angles to the ball, keeps his eyes focused on the quarterback and then shows an extra burst of speed to the ball. He also has the hands to force turnovers and then the vision and speed to make opposing offenses pay for their mistakes.
His pro day workout – which featured times in the 4.33 range in the 40; 4.09 short shuttle; and 6.68 3-cone – impressed evaluators. However, the thing that most jumps out about him is that he carries himself with both maturity and a great deal of youthful energy. He's dedicated to being successful and keeping to the path that his mother, who died last fall, set for him.
His attitude, playmaking skills and potential to make an immediate impact on a defensive unit as a rookie will make him this year's version of Donte' Whitner, who rose into the top 10 after his combine and pro day workouts.
