Some information about safeties in the 2012 draft with help from the Walkerfootball.com site.
T.J. McDonald, S, USC Height: 6-2. Weight: 205 Projected 40 Time: 4.49 Projected Round (2012): 1-2. McDonald has put together a strong season. He has 57 tackles with two interceptions, one pass broken up and a blocked kick. McDonald's two interceptions came against Arizona quarterback Nick Foles. McDonald is a hard-hitter who has drawn some penalties for his physical play.
Mark Barron, SS, Alabama Height: 6-2. Weight: 215. Projected 40 Time: 4.61 Projected Round (2012): 2. Barron has played well this season. He has totaled 65 tackles with four tackles for a loss, five passes broken up and two interceptions. He is in the discussion with McDonald as the hardest hitting safety in the draft.
Robert Lester, S, Alabama Height: 6-2. Weight: 210. Projected 40 Time: 4.51Projected Round (2012): 2. Lester hasn't been as rock solid in coverage this season with less splash plays so his stock has fallen.
Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State Height: 6-1. Weight: 202. Projected 40 Time: 4.58. Projected Round (2012): 2-3. Martin has 62 tackles with four tackles for a loss, 10 passes broken up and two forced fumbles. Martin is a natural free safety who patrols the deep part of the field well.
Ray Ray Armstrong, SS, Miami Height: 6-4. Weight: 220. Projected 40 Time: 4.57. Projected Round (2012): 2-3. Armstrong was suspended for the first four games of the season with off the field problems.
Winston Guy Jr., S, Kentucky Height: 6-1. Weight: 210 Projected 40 Time: 4.49. Projected Round (2012): 3. Guy Jr. started out the season with a huge game against Western Kentucky. He recorded 10 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss and two interceptions in the season opener and has stayed consistent and his stock is on the rise.
Trumaine Johnson, FS/CB, Montana Height: 6-2. Weight: 197. Projected 40 Time: 4.54. Projected Round (2012): 3-4. Johnson held his own against Tennessee in the first game of the season with seven tackles, a pass broken up and a forced fumble. Johnson killed his climb up draft boards by getting arrested in October.
Brandon Taylor, FS, LSU Height: 6-0. Weight: 191. Projected 40 Time: 4.51. Projected Round (2012): 3-4. Taylor has played well this season and his stock is on the rise. Taylor has 61 tackles with two interceptions, five passes broken up and 5.5 tackles for a loss. He had strong games against West Virginia and Florida.
Delano Howell, SS, Stanford Height: 5-11. Weight: 198. Projected 40 Time: 4.53. Projected Round (2012): 3-4. He hasn't been bad, but has not been great.
Trenton Robinson, FS, Michigan State Height: 6-2. Weight: 210. Projected 40 Time: 4.53. Projected Round (2012): 4. Robinson has 54 tackles with four interceptions this season and a quality run defender.
Eddie Whitley, FS, Virginia Tech Height: 6-1. Weight: 190. Projected 40 Time: 4.42. Projected Round (2012): 4-5. Whitley has 73 tackles with two interceptions and three passes broken up. His run defense looked weak against Miami, among others. Whitley projects as a free safety in the NFL.
Aaron Henry, FS, Wisconsin Height: 6-0. Weight: 205. Projected 40 Time: 4.48. Projected Round (2012): 4-5.Henry has 51 tackles with three tackles for a loss, three interceptions and three passes broken up. Aaron Henry is a strong run defender who shows good instincts.
Tavon Wilson, SS, Illinois Height: 6-0. Weight: 205. Projected 40 Time: 4.51. Projected Round (2012): 4-5. Wilson is a good athlete and could be a quality sleeper/developmental prospect. Tavon Wilson is an experienced starter who has been a solid player for Illinois.
Kenny Tate, SS, Maryland Height: 6-4. Weight: 220 Projected 40 Time: 4.64. Projected Round (2012): 4-5. Tate is a safety/linebacker tweener who should probably trim down and play safety as a pro.
Neiko Thorpe, FS, Auburn Height: 6-3. Weight: 191. Projected 40 Time: 4.52. Projected Round (2012): 4-5. Thorpe has been very active and while he played corner, his height may make a better safety, especially at the NFL level where he can run with speed receivers at corner.
Tony Dye, SS, UCLA Height: 5-11. Weight: 204. Projected 40 Time: 4.50. Projected Round (2012): 4-5. He missed seven games with a neck injury and that hurt his draft stock significantly.
Blake Gideon, FS, Texas Height: 6-1. Weight: 200. Projected 40 Time: 4.54. Projected Round (2012): 4-5. Gideon has 52 tackles with four passes defended, one sack and one interception. He has consistently been around the ball for the Longhorns and is in his fourth season as a starter for Texas.
Rashard Hall, FS, Clemson Height: 6-2. Weight: 195. Projected 40 Time: 4.48. Projected Round (2012): 5-6. Hall has been quiet and inconsistent at times.
Lance Mitchell, S, Oregon State Height: 6-2. Weight: 205. Projected 40 Time: 4.60. Projected Round (2012): 5-6. Lance Mitchell is a decent run defender.
George Iloka, S, Boise State Height: 6-3. Weight: 207. Projected 40 Time: 4.58. Projected Round (2012): 5-6. Iloka leads Boise State in tackles with 53.Iloka is an experienced player who is a good athlete.
Jerrell Young, FS, South Florida Height: 6-1. Weight: 205. Projected 40 Time: 4.53. Projected Round (2012): 5-6. In the first game of the season, Young had a massive game in the Bulls' road win over Notre Damen but in other games has not come close to that level of impact.
Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame Height: 6-2. Weight: 215. Projected 40 Time: 4.61. Projected Round (2012): 5-7. Smith has run hot and cold for Notre Dame this season.