2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: S Durell Eskridge

Atlanta is missing a true starting free safety within the defense. Because this draft doesn't have a ton of talent at the safety position, finding a true deep safety will be tough, but Durell Eskridge out of Syracuse could be a great option for the Falcons in the middle rounds.

Eskridge played a varied safety role for Syracuse and would be a good fit in new head coach Dan Quinn's scheme as either a free safety or a strong safety. The Falcons would be wise to look at Eskridge in the draft and consider him for a potential starting spot should they pick him.

Durell Eskridge

Safety

Syracuse University

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 6'2 ⅞" Weight: 208 pounds

Arm length: 32 ⅜" Hand measurement: 9 ⅝"

40-yard dash: 4.60 sec. 10-yard split: 1.51 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.19 sec. Three-cone drill: 6.93 sec.

Vertical jump: 31.0" Broad jump: 9'9"

Stats

2014: 12 Games Played, 68 Tackles, 1 Interception, 3 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown

2013: 12 Games Played, 78 Tackles, 4.0 Tackles for Loss, 0.5 Sacks, 1 QB Hurry, 4 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Forced, 1 Pass Deflection, 1 Catch, 19 Yards

2012: 13 Games Played, 36 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 1 Fumble Forced, 3 Pass Deflections, 1 Punt Return, 13 Yards

2011: Redshirted

Scouting Report

Strengths

Eskridge is a bigger, quicker safety than what the Falcons currently have at free safety. He's got the ability to be a good center fielder because he tracks the ball well in air and has the deep range to be effective within Quinn's scheme at free safety.

He's a heady safety who plays with exceptional technique and footwork. He's also very knowledgeable about his own defense and understands where everyone is on the field at all times. His instincts are top-notch, and because of it, he attacks the ball well, forcing a ton of contested catches.

Weaknesses

His man-to-man coverage ability isn't great, and he shouldn't be asked to do it as much in the NFL. He either drops into his backpedal too far or gets out of position to where his recovery speed won't allow him to make a play on the ball or make the tackle.

He needs to improve his tackling form tremendously. He misses too many tackles because he uses poor form. He also breaks on the ball too late, too often. If the Falcons took him, they'd have to fix his run fits as well because he'll fill the wrong hole at times.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

On the good side, Eskridge was never arrested, nor was he ever suspended while in college. He's known as a hard worker and has shown leadership within his position group. He was highly productive for his final two years of college, and that will factor in.

On the flip side, he left college early and hasn't graduated yet. While this doesn't seem to be as big of a deal for the Falcons, trends show that general manager Thomas Dimitroff prefers players to play through their senior year and graduate college.

Overview

Eskridge can come in and start for any team as a free safety, but that team will have to be willing to endure some growing pains. He's similar to Thomas DeCoud coming out, but his ceiling is higher than what DeCoud's was, and he isn't as fast.

If he can get his tackling form fixed, he should be at a minimum an average NFL safety for his career who makes some splash plays. If he can't, he's looking at a career where he's going to ride the pine and play special teams a ton.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans 

If he's there in the top of the fourth round, Atlanta should sprint to the podium. Eskridge would be an instant contributor on special teams at least and has the potential to come in and start at free safety as a rookie if he can win a battle with Charles Godfrey and Dezmen Southward.

Eskridge would be a playmaking safety on the back end of the Falcons defense who would use his instincts, intelligence and athleticism to upgrade a position that a solid talent manned in 2014. The Falcons getting a potential starter with Eskridge would be extremely beneficial to the team in the long term.

All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro-day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.

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