2025 Draft: Free Safety

[bakes781]

I didn't see a thread so figured i would start it since we just signed one in Marcus Epps.

I would still list this as a need position. We need to add someone with decent speed and size.

 

[manxman2601]

This is what has put me off Bowman in the past:

• Tackling technique is alarmingly inconsistent with a career missed tackle rate exceeding 25%, often dropping his head and leaving his feet.

Billy Bowman Jr. Safety Oklahoma | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 83.5 Rank: #19 Forty: 4.42 Bowman brings a fascinating blend of ball-hawking instincts and positional versatility that will intrigue NFL defensive coordinators. When you watch him op...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

And from PFF

Whoever drafts Bowman will have to live with his tackling woes. If you can get over that, you'll get a versatile coverage defender who is a big-play machine.

 

[bakes781]

This is what has put me off Bowman in the past:

Billy Bowman Jr. Safety Oklahoma | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 83.5 Rank: #19 Forty: 4.42 Bowman brings a fascinating blend of ball-hawking instincts and positional versatility that will intrigue NFL defensive coordinators. When you watch him op...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

And from PFF

Well we seem to have addressed the tackling safety with Epps. We desperately need one that cover.

I was originally going to mention Malachi Moore but then I remembered the behavior at the end of the Vanderbilt game and that really turned me off.

 

[manxman2601]

Well we seem to have addressed the tackling safety with Epps. We desperately need one that cover.

I was originally going to mention Malachi Moore but then I remembered the behavior at the end of the Vanderbilt game and that really turned me off.

Bowman has a lot of plusses for sure and he's one that I've taken a good look at as a fit. I just don't know whether someone who misses tackles at the rate he does will sit well with Vrabel. He misses a quarter of all his tackles according to PFF. It's also why I've reduced my interest in Mukuba.

At Tennessee, Vrabel had a slot corner who also took snaps at free safety in Elijah Molden because he had two safeties already on the roster in Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker. He's also talked about getting bigger at that slot corner position so I wonder if he goes in that direction again.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[bakes781]

Yeah he's becoming another binky lol

 

[bakes781]

We seem to be salivating over a lot of Cal Bears defense lately lol

 

[bakes781]

 

[manxman2601]

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I think someone who can be effective in cover 1 would unlock this defense.

Our interior DL seems built to rush the passer more than play the run.

Our LBs seem good against the run but bad in coverage.

We have one of the best man coverage CB duos in the game.

We have a lot of box safety/LB hybrid types.

IMO, all of that points to a scheme that should be primarily man cover 1 with a hybrid box safety taking the place of one of the LBs in a 3 CB/3 Safety defense. The cover 1 allows you to put more guys in the box to make up for the lack of run stuffing ability but the extra box safety means you can play dime and not be totally compromised against the run while making up for the poor LB coverage.

We need a guy with play recognition and speed. Obviously a playmaker is great, but I'm less concerned about the flashy plays and circus INTs as I am good, solid positional coverage. I don't like guys who give up plays as a necessary evil of their aggresiveness to make plays. At least not as a deep coverage safety where the stakes are higher.

 

[manxman2601]

I think someone who can be effective in cover 1 would unlock this defense.

Our interior DL seems built to rush the passer more than play the run.

Our LBs seem good against the run but bad in coverage.

We have one of the best man coverage CB duos in the game.

We have a lot of box safety/LB hybrid types.

IMO, all of that points to a scheme that should be primarily man cover 1 with a hybrid box safety taking the place of one of the LBs in a 3 CB/3 Safety defense. The cover 1 allows you to put more guys in the box to make up for the lack of run stuffing ability but the extra box safety means you can play dime and not be totally compromised against the run while making up for the poor LB coverage.

We need a guy with play recognition and speed. Obviously a playmaker is great, but I'm less concerned about the flashy plays and circus INTs as I am good, solid positional coverage. I don't like guys who give up plays as a necessary evil of their aggresiveness to make plays. At least not as a deep coverage safety where the stakes are higher.

I think we'll se a mix of cover-1, 3 and 4. Cover-4 certainly lends itself better to the current roster. Here are how the Titans covered in 2021.

Cover -1. 25.9%
Cover-2 13.3%
Cover-3. 32.3%
Cover-4. 22.1%

Certainly, if we're going single high nearly 60% of the time as they did then, we definitely need an upgrade at the free safety spot. My guess is we'll see more cover-4 which better suits the safeties we have now while still allowing our comers to man up. Cover-4 is supposed to be a coverage system that better supports the run defense too.

 

[stelfans]

I think we'll se a mix of cover-1, 3 and 4. Cover-4 certainly lends itself better to the current roster. Here are how the Titans covered in 2021.

Cover -1. 25.9%
Cover-2 13.3%
Cover-3. 32.3%
Cover-4. 22.1%

Certainly, if we're going single high nearly 60% of the time as they did then, we definitely need an upgrade at the free safety spot. My guess is we'll see more cover-4 which better suits the safeties we have now while still allowing our comers to man up. Cover-4 is supposed to be a coverage system that better supports the run defense too.

Agreed, I think cover 4 suits this team better. I was surprised they didn’t go after Moehrig or Holland.
I’ve been looking at Glendon Miller later on. 6’2 guy that played primarily nickel or that LB/S hybrid that fits Vrabel defense with 7 INT the last 2 seasons.

 

[bakes781]

Not many fit the mold size/speed wise but Kevin Winston Jr. S Penn State does IMO.

 

[manxman2601]

Agreed, I think cover 4 suits this team better. I was surprised they didn’t go after Moehrig or Holland.
I’ve been looking at Glendon Miller later on. 6’2 guy that played primarily nickel or that LB/S hybrid that fits Vrabel defense with 7 INT the last 2 seasons.

I haven't looked at him. The only thing I would say is that we already have a LB/S hybrid in Mapu. 7 ints in 2 years is not to be sniffed at though.

 

[manxman2601]

Not many fit the mold size/speed wise but Kevin Winston Jr. S Penn State does IMO.

Agreed. The best missed tackle rate in the class and is only one year removed from an elite season. The injury is the concern and I've not heard anything about his recovery.

 

[bakes781]

Glendon Miller is listed at 190 so he'd likely have to put on some weight to make the jump to the NFL.

 

[manxman2601]

In lieu of any game film, I've found a very interesting safety prospect for a late round swing. To be honest, I haven't even been able to find out if he's a free safety, but regardless check out JJ Roberts from Marshall:

Marshall S JJ Roberts
5’11”, 192 lbs
40.5” vertical
4.41-4.45 40
10’6” broad jump
6.76 3 cone
20 bench reps
PFF’s highest-graded NCAA safety

 

[manxman2601]

In lieu of any game film, I've found a very interesting safety prospect for a late round swing. To be honest, I haven't even been able to find out if he's a free safety, but regardless check out JJ Roberts from Marshall:

Marshall S JJ Roberts
5’11”, 192 lbs
40.5” vertical
4.41-4.45 40
10’6” broad jump
6.76 3 cone
20 bench reps
PFF’s highest-graded NCAA safety

Roberts' PFF grades

91.2 Overall
79 Run Defense
89.9 Coverage grade

He even has a 93.5 pass rush grade.

 

[bakes781]

here's another fan

 

[manxman2601]

I think those are good numbers.