I remember a post from last year, posted by
@mayoclinic , that talked about how the Patriots use the safeties in the run game. Namely that they are used as force players to make the tackle on outside runs. Essentially, the Edges crash inside so that the run is forced outside, the CBs set the edge so that the run doesn't get bounced to the very outside and the safeties come up and make the tackle in between the EDGEs and the CBs.
I've been thinking about that and what it would mean for the type of safeties we draft.
1. Obviously good tacklers. 10% or better MTR.
2. Big enough to take on a blocking FB or TE
3. No specialists. You really need the same type of safety on both sides to cover runs to either side. So no FS/SS split.
4. Need to be well graded run defenders.
5. Still need to be good in coverage, they just shouldn't be a FS only.
And the safeties that fit?
Based upon grades this is a list of safeties that best fit the criteria above. These are ranked by tackling grade but need 70 in both run defense and coverage and a 10% or better MTR:
1. Jelani Mcdonald, Texas
2. Tae Johnson, ND
3. KJ Bolden, Georgia
4. Jaylen McLain, Ohio State
5. Faletau Satuala, BYU
6. Alex McLaughlin, Washington
7. Dashawn Spears, LSU
8. Bray Hubbard, Alabama
9. Ty Bryant, Kentucky ( a little undersized but don't sleep on this one)*
10. Keon Sabb, Alabama
11. Corey Myrick, Clemson (nor this one)*
* Bryant and Myrick were just a little over the 10% MTR
I think this will my starting point for a safety watchlist.
Nb. 2024 Xavier Scott of illinois would have made this list but is a little undersized. 2024 Terry Moore misses out with a 16% MTR but scores well in the other areas. Zach Lutmer misses out on MTR too.
