NFL Draft Position Ranking: Safeties

This slide-show profiles a personal top-10 ranking for safeties in the 2010 NFL Draft.

After I've ranked every position, I will compile all of my "team projections" into a complete mock draft.

April 8—DB/WR
April 9—Safety/TE
April 10—LB
April 11—RB
April 12—DE
April 13—QB
April 14—DT
April 15—OL
April 16—Mock Draft

1. Eric Berry-Tennessee

The only negativity surrounding Eric Berry is the notion that, drafting a safety in the top third of the draft, is a faux-pas. Aside from that, there is very little negative to be said about Berry.

Berry's a three-year starter at Tennessee with statistics that rival anyone who has ever played the position at the NCAA level.

His combine numbers were as good or better than anyone could have expected (43" vertical jump, 4.42 40-yard dash and 19 reps of 225lbs.)

Listed as a free safety, it is believed that Berry has the speed and flexible hip movement to convert to corner if needed.

With the re-emergence of the safety position in the NFL, Eric Berry has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed and Darren Sharper.

Projected Round: First

Projected Team: Cleveland Browns

Berry's potential team depends on how all the picks shake-out ahead of him. He goes no higher than fourth and no lower than seventh.

The Browns need help at nearly every position, picking Berry with seventh overall pick would address one of their needs, while taking the best player available.

2. Earl Thomas-Texas

Earl Thomas is a small gamble, with a potentially huge return.

A redshirt sophomore, he still has a tremendous amount to learn about playing defensive back at an elite level. However, he has the skill set and athleticism to be the best DB in this draft.

He has the talent to be a first round selection, but it's highly unlikely that he'll see any meaningful playing time in his rookie season, keeping him off of many draft boards.

As a sophomore, Thomas broke a school record with eight interceptions. To call him a "ball-hawk" would be an understatement.

He also has the man-to-man coverage skills to become an elite corner-back in the NFL.

The NFL Network's Mike Mayock, has Thomas as his top DB in the 2010 class. He also said that Thomas is one of the best secondary prospects he has seen in 10 years.

Projected Round: First

Projected Team: Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers just re-signed free safety Ryan Clark and currently have one of the best strong safety's in the league in Troy Polamalu. However, they are still in need of secondary help and if the Steelers could convert Thomas to corner, he would become a perfect compliment to their duo at safety.

3. Nate Allen-USF

Mentally, Nate Allen may be the best equipped safety in this draft class. He was not only the leader on defense, but he set the defense on each play.

Unlike the two players, Berry and Thomas, to go ahead of him, Allen isn't a likely candidate to play in man-coverage. Some teams may see this as a draw-back, but it's unlikely to affect his draft stock.

He has shown great leadership and coach-ability, things that are paramount to playing safety in the NFL.

Athletically, he isn't the No. Three prospect at this position, but his instincts and understanding of the position are more than enough to compensate for what he's lacking.

Projected Round: Second

Projected Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tampa has three picks inside the first 42 of the draft, all three of which could be paramount to their success in the coming years.

With Ronde Barber in the twilight of his career, they could be drafting the future leader of their secondary in Nate Allen.

4. Taylor Mays-USC

As a Junior, Taylor Mays was known as one of the hardest hitters in the county, and a sure-fire first round selection. As a senior, USC's struggles mirrored Mays' struggles.

In 2008, Mays struck fear in wide receivers, tight ends and running backs alike. However, by the midway point of 2009, it seemed as though there was a change in Mays, or at least a change in the way offensive players perceived him.

As intimidating as Mays was physically, he wasn't able to impose his intimidation.

I'm not questioning Mays' toughness, but it seemed as though WRs and RBs began to challenge him unlike any other defensive back in the country. They initiated contact, they ran plays in his direction, and he seemingly did nothing about it.

Maybe this was simply a reflection of the inexperience and lack of talent among the rest of the defense. Or, maybe it was a reflection of the fact that Mays was intimidating along side players like Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga.

A very strong NFL Combine performance did nothing but help Mays' stock, but I still find it hard to believe that he will be drafted in the first round. Although I put nothing past Oakland and Dallas when it comes to a safety who can run a 4.3 forty.

Projected Round: Second

Projected Team: San Fransisco 49ers.

With their two, first round selections, and capable current starter at FS, the 49ers are in position to make a measured risk with Mays.

If he can adapt to the NFL game, he could be a perennial pro-bowler. If he fails to adapt, the Niners can always hang their hat on one of their first round selections.

5. Morgan Burnett-Georgia Tech

Morgan Burnett is a "safeties safety." He can play zone, man, has good instincts, is a hard hitter, and he can fly, Burnett runs 40-yard dash times in the low 4.4's. There's not much more you can ask from a safety.

In his sophomore season, he was tied for most interceptions in the NCAA Division I with seven. Much like many "sophomore sensations," Burnett suffered a slight decrease in production in his junior year.

This was due to teams shying away from his side of the field, much like they do for every safety that leads the nation in interceptions.

Safety isn't typically a position drafted in the first round, for this reason, he's all but assured a second round selection. With his ability, he would be a steal beyond the second round.

Projected Round: Second

Projected Team: Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals had one of the NFL's top secondaries last season.

With Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph and Burnett, the Bengals would have a secondary that would be unrivaled by 90 percent of their competition.

6. Chad Jones-LSU

Chad Jones is a bruiser. At 6'2", 221 pounds, Jones has all the muscle to be an effective run stopper at the NFL level.

His combine numbers were sub-par. He benched only nine reps at 225 pounds and ran a 4.6. This Combine performance has Jones' stock dropping.

Those numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. At LSU, Chad Jones hit like a linebacker and was able to run down Darren McFadden when he was a redshirt freshman.

Clearly a case of a guy who is a football player in pads, rather than an athlete in his underwear.

It also must be noted, Jones was a relief pitcher on LSU's College World Series title team. He is committed to football and has turned down Major League Baseball offers.

Projected Round: Second

Projected Team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Marlin Jackson and Macho Harris have free safety locked up. On the other hand, strong safety will be a wide open competition.

If the Eagles believe that Jones can handle the coverages in the NFL, he would be a perfect fit for their blitz heavy defense.

7. Larry Asante-Nebraska

In the 2010 Draft, the top-five safeties are all but guaranteed a starting role with their future team.

Chad Jones, ranked No. Six, has a decent shot as a starter. However, the rest of the prospects are tremendous athletes, but they lack instincts, know-how or talent to play anything but special teams at the NFL level.

Then there's Larry Asante, a player who isn't as physically gifted as some of the other prospects at DB, but is probably the most likely to eventually become a starter at the pro level.

In three years at Nebraska, Asante accumulated 222 tackles, a number that puts him ahead of almost every other safety in his class.

His coverage skills are weaker than those going ahead of him, but he could be used against the run and he's also a capable special teamer.

Projected Round: Third

Projected Team: Atlanta Falcons

With Thomas DeCoud and Erik Coleman relatively safe in their starting positions, the Falcons wouldn't need immediate help from Asante.

As a rookie, Asante could take his lumps as a backup/special teamer, with hopes that he could develop into a starting strong safety.

8. Major Wright-Florida

Athletically, Major Wright is as capable as anyone. However, from what I've read, he doesn't project to be more than a special teams player in the NFL. He would have benefited from playing his senior year at Florida.

At 6'0", 206 pounds, his sub 4.4, 40-times are impressive. With natural ability, he's likely to be drafted as a 'project' to hopefully develop into an NFL strong safety.

Projected Round: Third

Projected Team: Arizona Cardinals

Even with the addition of Kerry Rhodes, the Cardinals will look to add depth in their secondary following the loss of Antrel Rolle.

With Sean Morey rumored to be on his way out of town, Major Wright could play a big role in special teams as a rookie.

Even if he doesn't project to start in the NFL, an athlete like Wright is worth third round selection.

9. T.J. Ward-Oregon

Following in the footsteps of his former teammate, Patrick Chung, T.J. Ward is vying to be the second Oregon strong safety to be taken in back-to-back seasons.

Although smaller than Chung, Ward is known for being a big hitter, more so than a coverage oriented safety. For that reason, he doesn't project as a starter in the NFL. From the onset, he has potential.

Ward was hampered by an ankle injury in 2009, so physically, he hasn't looked as good as he possibly can.

If Ward can get back to 100 percent and gain a better awareness and understanding of coverage, he could most certainly become an NFL caliber safety.

Projected Round: Fourth

Projected Team: St. Louis Rams

With O.J Atogwe on the way out, the Rams have shown interest in the Oregon safety.

A youth movement is likely in the works in St. Louis. Look for them to replace their current defensive leaders with younger talent.

10. Kam Chancellor-Virginia Tech

Kam Chancellor makes this list for one reason, his size, at 6'3" and 231 pounds, Chancellor is the biggest safety in the draft.

Talent, awareness, instincts, speed, strength and all of those things rank in line with all of the other safety prospects in 2010, but only Taylor Mays is in this neighborhood for size.

At his height, Chancellor would only need to gain 10-20 pounds to become a NFL-sized linebacker, which isn't totally out of the question.

He's considered to be at a relatively low level for understanding the position and coverages, but he presents a tremendous upside for his potential team.

Projected Round: Fourth

Projected Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Former teammate of the future of KC's secondary, Brandon Flowers, Chancellor will be given a chance to succeed at him natural position in Kansas City.

Romeo Crennel has coached the likes of Rodney Harrison and Lawyer Malloy, if Chancellor can pick up the defense, he could be in for a good career with KC.

More position rankings:

April 8—DB/WR
April 9—Safety/TE
April 10—LB
April 11—RB
April 12—DE
April 13—QB
April 14—DT
April 15—OL
April 16—Mock Draft