Oakland Raiders 2012 Draft Wish List No. 4: S Winston Guy Jr.

Welcome back to the fourth edition of my Oakland Raiders Draft Wish List for the 2012 NFL Draft, which is just a few months away now.  As we grow closer to the NFL Combine, I will continue to unravel some more under the radar prospects that fit with the Raiders so that you all have someone to keep an eye on during the event.  

Since my last three wish list players were all a part of the front seven, I thought it'd be time to focus on different aspects of the team that need improving.

Last season, the safety position for the Raiders was very inconsistent.  

Huff was often in and out with injuries while Matt Giordano, who showed instances of his ball-hawking abilities, was often a liability.  Not to take anything away from the five interceptions he had, but he was not the best tackler and did not possess the speed it takes to succeed in the NFL.  

Tyvon Branch, however, manned the strong safety position the entire year.  

While he was not the best pass defender, he held his own in the run support, leading the team in tackles with 103 total and 80 solo.  While this is an amazing feat, it has to be taken with a grain of salt: The Raiders' front seven was often beaten in the run game, leaving Tyvon to clean things up. 

Besides the injuries, Michael Huff was not all that bad.  He enjoyed his best year as a pro two years ago.  

Fresh off of a lucrative contract, Huff was poised to take the next step to becoming an elite NFL safety.  Take one injury-riddled season and add a new GM, and you have the former top-10 pick on the verge of being released.  Even if Huff is retained, there has been speculation that he will move from safety to cornerback.  

Whatever the Raiders decide to do, they leave a glaring hole in their secondary—as if they didn't have enough already.  

This year's safety class doesn't have a stand out player, but rather, a lot of middle-round talent.  With so many decent safeties, I did my best to find the player with the most upside and can come in and have an impact on day one.  

What the Raiders need is a free safety with good cover skills who is no slouch in the run game.  What the Raiders need is Kentucky's Winston Guy Jr., a 6'1" and 210-lb. stud.  

During his time at Kentucky, Guy Jr. played at all three defensive back positions.  He was skilled enough in the passing game to play at the cornerback position, yet physical enough to strike fear into receivers at the safety position. 

Honestly, if Guy Jr. was playing at a more prestigious school such as LSU or Alabama, he would probably be regarded as the best safety in this draft class.  Let's just take a look at some of his stats: 120 total tackles, 14 for a loss and two interceptions as a senior.  While one would hope his interceptions were more plentiful, it's still obvious this guy is a tackling machine—exactly what the Raiders need if they want to correct their defensive woes.

One might think, "They already have Tyvon Branch as their tackling safety." 

Well, both of these players are incredibly versatile.  Both have good skills in coverage and can play the free safety position, but seeing as Branch has more experience playing at the pro level, he could man the free safety with Guy Jr. at the strong, learning what it takes to be an elite defender in the league.

How do we know if Guy Jr. is the real deal or not?

In his first two years as a starter, he had a combined stat line of 166 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and seven pass deflections.  He also played in the SEC, facing the best all-around teams in the entire nation.  Three interceptions and seven deflections isn't overly impressive, but it's enough to get the job done.  

Unlike the two past players I covered in my last two articles, Guy Jr. has the ability to start on day one.  

He's as polished as the other safeties considered to be atop of the safety draft class like Mark Barron.  The only difference is the Kentucky player is projected in the mid-rounds while the Alabama player is projected to go near the end of the first.  

I see Guy Jr. having the same impact that Bob Sanders had in his prime at Indianapolis.  It's not only because they both wear 21 or have long hair, but because they both are physical safeties who excel in the run game, yet surprise many when defending the pass.  

In all, Guy Jr. has all the things a team looks for in a safety.  

He is an electrifying hitter with good size, great speed and cover skills with no ceiling.  I know people say this all the time, but Guy Jr. has the making to be a steal, and if the Raiders don't draft him, they'll be regretting it in the future when he's forcing fumbles and intercepting passes like there's no tomorrow. 

Make sure to check out the other guys on my Oakland Raiders 2012 NFL Draft Wish List if you haven't already.  

1.  LB Vontaze Burfict

2.  DL Mike Martin

3.  NT Nicolas Jean-Baptiste