This safety class

[BobDigital]

It seems to me that for the most part there's a generally agreement about where prospects tend to rank for every position in the NFL draft except for safety. In recent weeks I noticed the rankings for this position has been all over the place. Depending on the source you go to each one gives you a different top safety and puts the other source's top safety near the bottom of the top hundred.

The names that keep getting switched around include Johnathan Abram, Taylor Rapp, Juan Thornhill, Darnell Savage, Nasir Adderley, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Deointe Thompson.

Sometimes Amani Hooker and a few others get thrown into the mid tier but regularly it's these seven that seem to pop up over and over again in a different order depending on the rankings.

I think part of that is due the lack of a clear first round talent and the potential of certain prospects as well as combines and pro days that didn't solidify guys who had good tape. Has anyone ever seen so much movement and disagreement this late in the process?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I think part of the problem is that they all play different roles but they're still lumped in together. If you break them down by likely responsibilities at the next level, then you can create two or three different stacks instead of trying to sort out value head to head.

They can all play, though. I'd be happy with pretty much any of them in the 2nd, or even at 32 if we were sure that Chung and McCourty are retiring next year. I just don't care about value. We just need reliable players whenever we can get them.

 

[zimmy]

The Super Bowl showed that we really need a backup to Chung. He does so much for us that we struggled to replace him when he went out.

I would love to get Johnathan Abram but that likely costs us our 1st rounder. I really like Gardner-Johnson too, who seems like he can do multiple roles in the secondary.

I need to do look at some of the mid rounders. I'm intrigued by Malik Gant as a deeper option.

 

[BobDigital]

The Super Bowl showed that we really need a backup to Chung. He does so much for us that we struggled to replace him when he went out.

I would love to get Johnathan Abram but that likely costs us our 1st rounder. I really like Gardner-Johnson too, who seems like he can do multiple roles in the secondary.

I need to do look at some of the mid rounders. I'm intrigued by Malik Gant as a deeper option.

Honestly with this class I would be hesitant to use a first rounder on any safety, forget trading up. I haven't looked at all the safeties in depth, but from the little I have I doubt one gets a first round grade. Just pick one in the bottom 2nd or 3rd. That's the value spot and a few of these guys will fall.

 

[zimmy]

I think Abram is worth the 32nd pick. I'm not sure given our needs, he is worth the Patriots 32nd pick. That said, he's a binkie of mine and I'd be excited if we drafted him.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

For the patriots - at free safety we have Harmon and McCourty and the other McCourty can also assist.

At strong safety - we have Chung and nothing else of note.

Of the safeties listed above, only 2 can play strong safety. Rapp and abrams.

Rapp

2016 PAC 12 freshman defensive player of the year.
2017 1st team all pac 12.
2018 consensus all American

Incredible awareness! Tremendous ability to find the football with seven interceptions and part of 5 fumbles.
Tackling - outstanding open field tackler.
Super awareness in coverage.

Not the fastest and not really great in coverage.

Beat pro player comp in my opinion is Chung!

Abrams

Started at Georgia as a freshman, then to jc for a year, then to miss state for two years. Weird path!

Super physical, rules the secondary from the safety position. Can play free or strong safety. Attack’s ball carriers and tries to deliver knock out punches. Pitt bulls wish they were as aggressive as this guy.

Great change of direction and fluid in coverage. Made Irv smith cry like a bear dog. Almost ended moreau’s Career. Destroyed Damien Harris. He can hit, tackle and cover.

Biggest problem is he gets too cute. Tries to go for the big hit and winds up over running the play.

Tries to bait the qb into throwing to his receiver so he can blow the receiver up and winds up leaving too much room for the ball to squeeze by him.

This is a bb kind of guy.

 

[captain stone]

Honestly with this class I would be hesitant to use a first rounder on any safety, forget trading up. I haven't looked at all the safeties in depth, but from the little I have I doubt one gets a first round grade. Just pick one in the bottom 2nd or 3rd. That's the value spot and a few of these guys will fall.

My feelings Exactly.

More specifically, I'm not a fan - at all - of Abram at 32; or of Savage, Adderley & Thompson at either 56, 64 or 73. I want my first 3 picks to be used for DL, TE & WR anyway.
Beginning at 73 I'll be looking at who among Abram, Rapp, Gardner, Thornhill & Hooker are still available, and if one of them is I'll be very tempted to take him there...ass-uming that our First Needs at TE, WR & DL have been addressed of course.

 

[captain stone]

...I need to look at some of the mid-rounders. I'm intrigued by Malik Gant as a deeper option.

Same here; I need to try to find some Day 3 options if Safety hasn't yet been addressed by then.
The names that seem to pop-up more than once on various sites besides Gant include Evan Worthington, Marvel Tell, Jaquan Johnson, Marquise Blair, Sheldrick Redwine, Mike Edwards & BC's Will Harris. Time to start digging...

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Sheldrick Redwine, Mike Edwards

I think Redwine is every bit as good as the top 5 guys, in the right role. Edwards will probably also develop into a starter. I'm a lot lower on the rest of the mid-late rounders, but those two are guys I'd go to bat for in the draft room.

 

[SBLIII]

I think Redwine is every bit as good as the top 5 guys, in the right role. Edwards will probably also develop into a starter. I'm a lot lower on the rest of the mid-late rounders, but those two are guys I'd go to bat for in the draft room.

Redwine haven't heard much about him but should be available in the 3rd I assume.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Redwine haven't heard much about him but should be available in the 3rd I assume.

He can play single high but he can also play corner. He's fast and explosive. Not the biggest guy, but he can wrap up if needed. His instincts aren't as developed as some of the other safeties in this class, but his click and close ability is very good. He's got a little Asante Samuel in him if that makes sense. A year under McCourty could do wonders for his technical and mental approach to the game, although he's probably got a little different skillset. I don't know that I'd have him cover TEs, but he's faster than Harmon in the deep half. His speed really shows up on tape.

Plus he's got an awesome last name.

 

[manxman2601]

I’m all aboard the Obi-Juan train. Ridiculous levels of versatility in the safety ranks if Melifonwi hits and we draft Thornhill.

 

[manxman2601]

Check out the run defense grade



And it should be worth noting, I was a huuuuuuge Byron Jones booster when he came out which might be why Thornhill appeals so much.

 

[Water Boy]

Who is this year's Tavon Wilson/Jordan Richards?

 

[manxman2601]

Who is this year's Tavon Wilson/Jordan Richards?

Khari Willis? Saquan Hampton?

 

[Clonamery]

Redwine haven't heard much about him but should be available in the 3rd I assume.

Give me the Redwine, the kind make me feel fine. (ub40)

 

[Bcc66duece]

Check out the run defense grade



And it should be worth noting, I was a huuuuuuge Byron Jones booster when he came out which might be why Thornhill appeals so much.

He is from my high school so I'm going to be rooting real hard for the Patriots to take him, also because he can ball.

 

[manxman2601]

He is from my high school so I'm going to be rooting real hard for the Patriots to take him, also because he can ball.

He's someone I'd be very glad for them to draft in the 2nd.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Khari Willis? Saquan Hampton?

Literally the exact two names I had in mind. Nice!

 

[Ochmed Jones]

With the Chung extension, seems like bb is downplaying the need for a SS early.