2026 Draft: Safety

[dliverey44]

Dreaming of a 10 year Woodson-Thieneman S duo. Would cover a lot of ground.

I love this idea, but at this point I think a CB is the direction they need to go. Davis is 28 and signed until 2027 with a potential out. Gonzo's hammy has got me super worried. I like Alex Austin but feel like there is an upcoming need at CB.

I was very surprised the DJ James was released and I was actually pretty impressed with Dell Pettus in the wk1 albeit 8 snaps.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

you're not the only one to like him. Will have to look into him.

It is tough for me to evaluate these guys with subpar competition. The QB stared down the reciever. Is it a great play to jump a route with a QB that flagged where the ball was going even before he reached the top of his drop?

 

[manxman2601]

It is tough for me to evaluate these guys with subpar competition. The QB stared down the reciever. Is it a great play to jump a route with a QB that flagged where the ball was going even before he reached the top of his drop?

Knowing it's Fran Duffy, I'm pretty sure he's watched all the snaps from those two guys and isn't basing his scouting on that one play.

 

[manxman2601]

I love this idea, but at this point I think a CB is the direction they need to go. Davis is 28 and signed until 2027 with a potential out. Gonzo's hammy has got me super worried. I like Alex Austin but feel like there is an upcoming need at CB.

I was very surprised the DJ James was released and I was actually pretty impressed with Dell Pettus in the wk1 albeit 8 snaps.

This is why it's a BPA draft for me. This roster just needs talent and isn't one position away from success. We need at least two more drafts like the last one to be anywhere close to competitiveness with the best teams in the league.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Knowing it's Fran Duffy, I'm pretty sure he's watched all the snaps from those two guys and isn't basing his scouting on that one play.

Toledo is in the Mid-American conference. The transition to the NFL can be challenging.

 

[Clonamery]

Toledo is in the Mid-American conference. The transition to the NFL can be challenging.

He's an early Day 3 guy.

 

[manxman2601]

He's an early Day 3 guy.

Like...Craig Woodson?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

He's an early Day 3 guy.

Thanks. I thought we were talking about a Day 1 guy. Must of switched quickly to Day 3 guys. Old guys miss those quick switches.

 

[manxman2601]

A name to consider at safety. He’s starting to get some hype.

 

[Clonamery]

A name to consider at safety. He’s starting to get some hype.

SS?

 

[manxman2601]

SS?

Free I think, at least in a cover 2/4. He's fairly inexperienced after only getting regular football for the last six games last year. If he fixes his tackling, he could be really interesting. From his scouting report:

Hubbard reads quarterbacks like he used to be one, which makes sense. His zone coverage is outstanding - breaks on balls with perfect timing and rarely gets fooled by route combinations. Problem is, he's still learning how to tackle consistently and struggles when asked to match up man-to-man with quicker slot guys. The physical tools are there, but he's raw in key areas that matter at the next level.
...
The upside is a starting free safety who changes games with his ball skills. The downside is a tweener who never quite puts it all together despite the obvious talent. His rapid improvement suggests he's coachable, but he's still projecting more than producing. Teams gambling on his development could hit big, or they could end up with a special-teams player who flashes occasionally but never becomes reliable enough for every-down work.

Bray Hubbard Safety Alabama | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 83.5 Rank: #25 Forty: 4.60 Hubbard reads quarterbacks like he used to be one, which makes sense. His zone coverage is outstanding - breaks on balls with perfect timing and rarely get...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[Clonamery]

He’s a 7th/udfa? Yeah l?

 

[manxman2601]

He’s a 7th/udfa? Yeah l?

For now maybe. Has to sort out his tackling. 4 missed tackles in the first two games.

 

[Brick27]

SS?

What makes you suggest that over FS initially? Because he brings his lunch pail to work and is deceptively quick?

 

[Clonamery]

What makes you suggest that over FS initially? Because he brings his lunch pail to work and is deceptively quick?

Can't tackle? Has no neck. 'bout it.

 

[manxman2601]

Can't tackle? Has no neck. 'bout it.

Everyone knows the presence of a neck or lack thereof is the first thing you look at in determining whether someone is going to be a FS or SS.

 

[Clonamery]

Everyone knows the presence of a neck or lack thereof is the first thing you look at in determining whether someone is going to be a FS or SS.

Thinking lack of flexibility, agility. Time will tell on that.

 

[manxman2601]

He had two interceptions in the game.

 

[manxman2601]

AJ Haulcy, LSU, 6-0, 222lbs (formerly of Houston)

A FS with SS body. I don't think he's a single high guy but he has tremendous instincts in coverage. In 3 of his 4 seasons he has a coverage grade in the 80s. He had 5 INTs last year and already has one this year against Florida.



PS. Look at Delane draped all over the WR that Haulcy took the ball away from in the 2nd video.

Here's Trevor Sikkema breaking him down at 1:06:33. Also does Delane at 58:46.

 

[manxman2601]

Bray Hubbard scouting breakdown.