2026 Draft: Safety

[mayoclinic]

Anything sub-4.5 good.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

NFL Draft Buzz say 4.40.

If true, how would he last into the 20s in R2?

 

[mayoclinic]

Yeah, I hope he DOESN'T run a 4.40.

 

[manxman2601]

Safety value I suppose. Andrew Mukuba (4.45 forty) didn't get taken until 64 last year.

 

[manxman2601]

I might have found my safety. Only word of caution, he's a true junior so we'll see whether he comes out.

Jelani McDonald, Texas, 6'2, 205

Coverage Grade - 74.1
Run Defense - 80.7
Tackling - 90.1
Only 2 Missed tackles

He might not be as refined as Taaffe or Wheatley right now but I get the impression but I get the impression the upside is huge for McDonald. I've seen some Jahdae Barron comps in terms of his versatility. Has long arms and a 78" wingspan.

Via Grok

Overall Grade A- (Breakout Star): McDonald's athletic ceiling is limitless, with consistency in coverage and recent dominant outings earning him Thorpe Award consideration and early draft whispers. If he sustains his turnover production and tackling prowess, expect All-SEC honors by season's end. Texas fans: Buckle up—he's just getting started.

• Strengths: Impressive frame allows him to jam receivers and support the run without getting engulfed. Explosive closer with sideline-to-sideline range. High football IQ from his QB background helps in reading routes and disguising coverages. Flies around the field, hits hard, and shows physicality in run defense.
  
  
  
• Areas for Growth: Still refining technique in man coverage; can get grabby at times. Needs to add functional strength to handle bigger TEs/RBs consistently.

Look at the vertical leap on this INT



Can leap vertically too on INTs



Triggering downhill in run support

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

Good find, was going to post on him earlier. Haven't followed Texas much.

 

[mayoclinic]

Rumor has it Vrabel likes defensive players who can tackle:

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

Rumor has it Vrabel likes defensive players who can tackle:

He's the ideal disguised coverage safety. This year's Jahdee Barron. Tall enough to go man on man with a TE - especially with that VJ), clearly comfortable as a strong safety but with the range and athleticism to play free too. He's not a binky yet because I only found him today and I want to watch some Texas tape, but he could very well get there. I even wonder whether you can play him at CB with that size and those arms, at least as a backup.

If he declares, he'll be a fast riser.

 

[manxman2601]

If Taaffe is available in the 4th, I would even consider drafting him along with McDonald. In two high safety looks you could olay Taaffe and Woodson with McDonald playing as a big nickel or dime and in single high you could play McDonald deep with Woodson strong with Taaffe being an excellent backup and outstanding special teamer.

As of right now, assuming we get rid of Dugger which I think we all agree we will, we have just one safety for next year so we're going to need to add at least two safeties anyway.

The more I think about it and assuming we still have two 4th rounders by the time we get to day 3, the more I like this plan. Make the position a future strength.

 

[mayoclinic]

Its early, but I think McDonald could be a real sleeper option in the late 1st/early 2nd if he continues to rise. The athleticism just explodes off the screen. He is already getting accolades as the best player on the Texas defense, which includes Anthony Hill and Colin Simmons. I think he will test really well, he has great size and length. S is arguably our greatest need, and if you factor in trajectory he could possibly be BPA.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm not ready to give up on Zakee Wheatley yet. It would be nice if he played more single high, but his instincts in run support are exceptional and his speed to close on the ball is terrific too.

I really appreciate these cut ups by James Foster

 

[manxman2601]

Zakee Wheatley triggers and makes the open field tackle. Last line of defense.

 

[mayoclinic]

Wheatley still on my binky list.

Need to evaluate McDonald more thoroughly. Would be happy with either at this point, but McDonald's trajectory seems potentially higher.

 

[manxman2601]

Wheatley still on my binky list.

Need to evaluate McDonald more thoroughly. Would be happy with either at this point, but McDonald's trajectory seems potentially higher.

I watched a couple of Texas defense cut ups. He looks so long compared to the other DBs. He really stands out. Excellent tackler and what looks to be excellent speed and explosion. Took a couple of iffy angles in run support but I put that down to his inexperience. Was used a lot in single high but the games didn't really allow me to see his range. Also played some as a nickel safety.

If you were to ask me who is the better right now? It's Wheatley but McDonald's upside, his length and athleticism makes me think he might be better in the long-term.

 

[mayoclinic]

Patriots work out three defensive backs, including Lewis Cine

Former Vikings first-rounder Lewis Cine was among the visitors.

www.patspulpit.com

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Manx, the article says, "McDonald's athletic ceiling is limitless". I think you found a Cyborg.

 

[manxman2601]

Manx, the article says, "McDonald's athletic ceiling is limitless". I think you found a Cyborg.

So long as he terminates opposing offenses.

 

[BobDigital]

Just watched some highlights and game tape from Kamari Ramsey of USC. Some have discussed him as a first rounder on some formats and i see why. I came away with a different opinion though. Kind of mixed.

Ramsey has all of the physical tools you'd want in a safety. Speed, Power, IQ, Quickness, deceptively good size for his height. So checks those boxes. But IMO his game tape is hit or miss. He seems to be at his best in coverage vs a TE, WR or RB... he's good vs all of them. He also reads the QB well and when in the passing game shows good anticipation. He has the speed to rush from the edge on a safety blitz and power to make it hard on RBs if they manage to get hands all them. He also is aware of play design, at least certain ones. He usually knows who to cover in a bunch formation and sniffs out QB dump offs. All that is usually pretty good. When he can either just cover or know where the play is going before hand and read it clearly pre snap he is very good.

HOWEVER. If it is a play that extends or has no clear design he IMO starts to get lost quickly. Once he doesn't know for sure what to do and is not in 1 on 1 coverage he seems kind of lost out there. Particularly on running plays. His gap discipline is very questionable and he really (I think) needs to read the play. He can't feel it. Also him 1 on 1 in space is bad news. If he gets a head of steam on a still target he will make an impressive looking tackle. If he needs to take someone down in open space who has any kind of quickness... it seems to me like he has very little chance. He lost badly on every true open field tackle I saw that was an even match.

He also has a lot of trouble getting off WR blocks. He rarely sheds them from what i saw and while he seems to have power, it isn't enough to position himself to make a play on the guy running off the block.

Long story short. He is a very talented kid. Needs to get stronger IMO. Good at the things he is good at and really needs to work on the things he is bad at. And i want to be clear. For a guy with so much hype. I was not expecting to see his weaknesses be this weak. While you can try to put him in position to do the things he is good at, you can't always protect a safety like that.

I give him a 4th round grade. Half of his game is borderline first round level. He has talent, but too many big holes right now. Seems like a bit of a project to me with big potential upside.