Dion Bailey NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report and More

Dion Bailey, S, USC (HT: 5'11⅜”, WT: 201 lbs)

NFL Comparison: Louis Delmas, Safety, Detroit Lions

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
5113	201	32"	9 3/8"

40-yard dash	10-yard split	Vert	Broad	3-Cone	Shuttle
4.66	N/A	34"	9' 3"	6.97	4.15

Positives

• Good size and length for a safety, and his frame holds his weight well. He shouldn't need to add much muscle if he stays a defensive back. 
• Able to play man with bigger receivers and tight ends due to physical nature and strong ball skills.
• Always focused on the ball, and once he locates the ball, he is able to attack it, forcing either incompletions or interceptions.
• Has the mindset of a hybrid linebacker/safety after playing much of his career at weak-side linebacker for the USC Trojans.
• Understands his role and plays with impressive discipline in coverage. 
• Showed much more aggressiveness near the line of scrimmage towards the end of 2013, forcing difficult throws and putting pressure on the quarterback.
• Diagnoses the pass or run instantly, and he always takes a step in the right direction to begin the play.
• Contributed right away as a freshman, and the coaches couldn’t help but keep him on the field, notching an impressive career total of 221 tackles and 11 interceptions over three seasons.
• Good athlete with above-average fluidity. Has top-end potential of a good starter at strong safety. 

Negatives

• Wasn’t a traditional safety; he lined up as an undersized box defender, and linebacker could be his position moving forward. If so, then his size will always be a concern. 
• Played in heavy underneath zone schemes, and a lack of confidence and technique in man coverage showed when he became grabby in downfield situations.
• Despite notching impressive tackle statistics, he does not tackle with consistent effort or form, often arm tackling or going for the big hit.
• More of a cleanup tackler as opposed to the guy making first contact; needs to hustle to the ball-carrier.
• Instincts are only average while in coverage; he won’t deviate from the scheme when he sees where the quarterback is going with the ball.
• Average range and speed could limit his ability to play deep.
• There isn't much technique when backpedaling and pivoting, so if he's going to be a full-time safety, he will need development. 

Year	Team	Tackles	PD	INT
2011	USC	81	4	2
2012	USC	80	9	4
2013	USC	62	6	5

Personal Notes

• Bailey leaves USC as a policy, planning and development major.
• While at USC, he spent five days in Haiti building homes and assisting those in need.
• Bailey is a former 4-star prospect from Lakewood, Calif., according to rivals.com.
• Played 2011 and 2012 seasons at strong-side linebacker; converted to safety in 2013.

Ratings Chart

Graph made by http://nces.ed.gov

Overall

After an impressive career at USC, Dion Bailey projects as a player who will need to be put in a scheme that really puts his skill set to use. His best position is at strong safety, and the scheme should allow him to play as a Cover 3 robber. When Bailey can keep the ball in front of his eyes, he is a hard-hitting ball hawk. These traits could lead to a successful NFL career.

Draft Projection: Third Round

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