2011 NFL Draft: Top 10 Safeties
Safeties are relied on to covering the pass first, but then attacking the LOS if they read run delivering big hits.
NFL teams are looking for safeties with that combination of size, speed, strength and explosiveness. In terms of size, most NFL safeties are at least 6'1'' and weigh between 210-225 pounds. In terms of speed most safeties run in the 4.5 forty range.
A good NFL safety will also have to have jumping ability, fluid hips, good footwork in a back pedal, be very physical, good change of direction, good hands and great awareness. They also need to be able to be good in man and zone coverages. Safeties need to really time their blitzes well without giving it away to the quarterback. They also need to keep everything in front of them, reading the quarterback's eyes leading them to the football.
Here are my Top 10 Safeties for the 2011 NFL Draft.
10. Jeron Johnson, Redshirt Senior: Boise State Broncos
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Height: 5'10''
Weight: 210 lbs.
Johnson has pretty good size and speed. He shows great insticts to the football. He led Boise State in tackles the last three years and had eight interceptions his senior year. Johnson has great football smarts and always knows where to be on the field. He takes good angles in pursuit and can really hit hard. He also possesses great strength.
Johnson's tackling is inconsistent and doesn't have good range in coverage. He needs to work on his footwork and may struggle against the bigger players in the NFL.
9. Ahmad Black, Senior: Florida Gators
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Height: 5'9''
Weight: 185 lbs.
Black has had good production since entering the lineup at Florida. He has racked up over 200 tackles and has 13 interceptions. He has good leaping ability, but due to his lack of height he will have passes thrown over his head for completions for the other team. He has solid coverage skills and isn't afraid of contact.
Black doesn't have good size and lacks ideal speed for a safety. His instincts could be better and he struggles to get off of blocks which limits his run support ability.
8. Joe Lefeged, Senior: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Height: 6'0''
Weight: 210 lbs.
Lefeged has great size and speed and should rise up the draft boards after a great combine showing. He has a lot of potential. He has fluid hips in coverage and supports the run well. He forced four fumbles in 2010.
Lefeged needs to work on his pass coverage skills. He plays out of control and doesn't take good angles.
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7. Jaiquawn Jarrett, Senior: Temple Owls
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Height: 6'0''
Weight: 200 lbs.
Jarrett has good size and decent speed. He hits hard and is a sure tackler. He takes good angles to ball carriers and has a nose for the football against the run. He is a very good blitzer and has a good motor. Jarrett does a nice job in coverage.
He doesn't get off of blocks well. Jarrett needs to work on his footwork and stay under control when making tackles.
6. Tyler Sash, Redshirt Junior: Iowa Hawkeyes
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Height: 6'0''
Weight: 210 lbs.
Sash has great size and decent speed. He is a sure tackler and hits hard. His coverage abilities are solid and he shows good range. He does an excellent job in run support and intercepted 13 passes in his three years playing at Iowa. Sash does a good job keeping things in front of him and using his eyes.
Sash isn't a great athlete and doesn't have fluid hips. He gets turned around by better athletes when he's playing in man coverage.
5. Robert Sands, Junior: West Virginia Mountaineers
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Height: 6'4''
Weight: 215 lbs.
Sands has great size and speed for a safety. He plays a very physical style and covers ground with ease. He plays with high effort and reacts to things happening very quickly. He has nice fluid hips and good footwork for his size.
He could be better in run support and in taking angles to passes in the air. Plays out of control sometimes, over-pursuing on plays and getting beat deep.
4. Deunta Williams, Senior: North Carolina Tar Heels
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Height: 6'2''
Weight: 210 lbs.
Williams has great size and pretty good speed. He can play FS or SS in the NFL. Reads the quarterbacks' eyes well and intercepted 12 passes in his first three years at North Carolina. He does well if matched up man to man against a receiver. He also supports the run and is a decent tackler.
He was suspended for four games in 2010 along with pretty much the rest of his teammates. Williams plays out of control sometimes and is also maybe too aggressive. He broke his leg in the bowl game and therefore hasn't participated at the Senior Bowl or Combine.
3. DeAndre McDaniel, Senior: Clemson Tigers
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Height: 6'0''
Weight: 215 lbs.
McDaniel is a really good athlete that possesses good size and speed. He had 274 tackles and 15 interceptions in his four years at Clemson. He is a hard hitting safety and is good at supporting the run.
McDaniel has some character concerns being arrested for assault in 2008. He doesn't have good change of direction ability in his hips. He sometimes gets caught looking in the backfield which leads to him getting beat deep. He doesn't have much experience playing safety. Has only played safety for two seasons at Clemson, previously being a LB. 12 of his 15 interceptions were at safety though.
2. Quinton Carter, Redshirt Senior: Oklahoma Sooners
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Height: 6'1''
Weight: 210 lbs.
Carter has decent speed for a safety and shows he has good range by taking good angles. He has a good football IQ and gets to where he needs to be on the field. Carter has good awareness and picked off four passes in 2009 and 2010.
Carter is an inconsistent player that makes mistakes in coverage at times. He doesn't have good movement in his hips changing directions.
1. Rahim Moore, Junior: UCLA Bruins
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Height: 6'1''
Weight: 200 lbs.
Moore is the best safety in this years draft class. He has pretty good speed and really good instincts to the ball. He intercepted 10 passes his sophomore year. Moore takes good angles and keeps everything in front of him very well. He is a solid tackler and reacts very well to whether it's a pass or run play.
Moore isn't a big hitting safety and could add more weight. He needs to get better in his man to man coverage.
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