The Hardest Hitters in the 2016 NFL Draft Class

There’s more to playing linebacker or safety than being able to lay a big hit. But in the NFL, when occasional big plays can swing a game in the form of a missed first down, a turnover or even setting the tone for receivers across the middle, having the added explosiveness can make a world of difference.

These eight players, all draftable prospects at either linebacker or defensive back, have displayed the ability to finish with awesome velocity and decleat runners. These players are loosely ranked by hitting ability, not by where I expect them to be drafted.

Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri

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The undersized Missouri product (6'0", 245 lbs) offers awesome range and explosiveness as an in-space linebacker, but his lack of length will likely push him to the third day of the draft. However, his improvement in his 40 time from the NFL Scouting Combine (where he ran a 4.88) to his pro day (4.73) could help overcome address fears about his NFL-level range. 

There's little question, however, about Brothers' ability to finish head-up as a tackler. His highlights show not only his ability to lay huge hits on runners but actually dislodge the ball with some frequency. Brothers will likely fit best as a 3-4 inside linebacker, where he can be protected by down linemen and stay clean from blockers, which would best utilize his explosive tackling ability. 

Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State

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Defensive back Jalen Ramsey played cornerback in his junior season, which seems to be where he'll likely start his NFL career. As a 6'1" cornerback with press upside and the length and fluidity to hang with bigger receivers, his value at corner may trump his long-term value at safety.

But as a safety, Ramsey displayed remarkable burst, change of direction and, yes, hard-hitting ability. During his sophomore year, he played the "Spur" position for the Seminoles defense and flashed the type of upside that Tyrann Mathieu displayed during his time at LSU and thus far in Arizona. Ramsey's best NFL position is at safety, where his presence can be felt on more plays than just when teams target his receiver. And, in this case, his hard-hitting ability can make a far bigger impact.

Deon Bush, SAF, Miami (Fla.)

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Miami (Fla.)'s Deon Bush has flashed over the last two years as the team's defensive back leader, leading with big hits and high-velocity finishing ability as a mid-field tackler. Bush's awesome acceleration upfield and lateral range as an open-field safety have led to ample success and production for the Hurricanes defense, especially as a huge hitter.

However, Bush's biggest downfall is his inconsistent buildup to the ball-carrier. He takes poor read steps and can completely miss on the perimeter—a big no-no for NFL safeties like Bush who rely on their tackling ability to set the tone for a defense. His experience as a prospect may worry teams about his ability to fix this issue, but if he can play with more composed footwork and offer added balance as a run defender, his explosiveness as a tackler can be better utilized at the NFL level.

Eric Striker, LB, Oklahoma

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The second of three linebackers on this list, Eric Striker has been a three-year starter and leader for the Sooners, especially threatening as a pass-rusher despite being a slightly undersized linebacker (5'11", 227 lbs). Striker is able to move laterally and attack upfield without losing balance, maintaining ideal positioning to finish with explosiveness. 

As in this hit on Case McCoy from 2013, Striker's burst off the edge and in pursuit is what could, at the very least, make him valuable as a situational 4-3 pass-rushing linebacker. His lack of great size and top-end athletic testing numbers may make it tough for him to be selected within the first four rounds, but his high-impact hitting ability and pass-rush upside for a linebacker should give him an NFL home for at least a few years.

Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida

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If not for severe injuries during his college career, the undersized yet highly explosive Antonio Morrison (6'1", 232 lbs) might be in the mix to be drafted in the top two rounds. While he doesn't offer elite range anymore or coverage ability at an NFL level, his tenacity, physicality against blockers and finishing ability as an interior defender should be coveted by every NFL defense.

Morrison plays with awesome instincts and timing as a tackler, rarely missing steps and embracing blockers when he's in traffic. His hitting ability, especially on the inside when he's able to elude interior blockers, has allowed for numerous highlight reels of big hits and added turnover potential with dislodging ability as an interior linebacker. His NFL home may be reserved for a 3-4 inside linebacker spot or a 4-3 rotational inside or weak-side spot, but it's hard to imagine Morrison not having a long NFL career.

Miles Killebrew, SAF, Southern Utah

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Despite being a small-school player, Miles Killebrew's hitting ability is arguably the best in the class. It's the reason he emerged on NFL teams' radars as a sophomore, and he's been able to parlay his explosive tackling upside into becoming a feared mid-field presence at the Division II level. 

While he's a bit stiff as a coverage safety and comes with concerns about his ability to transition against cross-route receivers and in man coverage, his tackling upside and overall physicality may push him into the top 100. However, he may not be an every-down starter in the NFL, unless he's in a Seattle Seahawks-like Kam Chancellor role.

Keanu Neal, SAF, Florida

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Underappreciated on a Florida roster that grossly underachieved this past year, Keanu Neal has already been invited to attend the 2016 NFL draft, basically solidifying his draft position within the top three rounds. And it's his mid-field explosiveness and ability to pick up receivers in coverage and dislodge at the catch point that should put him in consideration for the best safety in the class (excluding Jalen Ramsey).

Neal hasn't been as productive as a turnover-gathering safety or one who has been able to make a consistent impact on games for the Gators, but his highly athletic plays and knack for delivering huge hits in the middle of the field make him a fit for what NFL teams covet in a safety. If he can play with more consistency and continue to deliver big hits on seam and crossing route receivers, an NFL team may feel it can tap into his athletic upside even further and invest a top-100 pick in him.

Karl Joseph, SAF, West Virginia

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After suffering a season-ending right knee injury early in the Mountaineers' 2015 season, Karl Joseph went from a highly touted safety to a forgotten prospect in a draft devoid of top-end safety talent. Now perceived to be recovered from his injury, Joseph should be able to return to his 2014 and early 2015 form of delivering huge blows from both free and strong safety alignments.

Joseph needs to bulk up a little bit more and be fully recovered for teams to trust him as an every-down safety in the NFL, but his versatility, range and finishing ability as a tackler should make him highly coveted by teams that are looking for a plug-and-play impact safety. And his attitude and tenacity as a safety should only help the trust that NFL teams will have in him to contribute early on.

A lesser Tyrann Mathieu is a generous, but not unreasonable, projection for the hopefully healthy safety prospect.