Monday, March 28, 2011
Posted: 1:21 p.m.
By Ray DidingerCSNPhilly.com
Look around the NFL and you see how the role of the safety has grown in recent years. Players such as Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Brian Dawkins made defensive coachesand scoutsput more value on a position that was once an afterthought.
But when the talent evaluators look at this years crop of safeties, they wont find any Reeds or Polamalus. It is a decent group with more depth than usual, but it doesnt have the star power of last years class, which included Eric Berry (fifth-overall pick) and Earl Thomas (14th pick).
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Most mock drafts dont have a safety being selected in the first round, and that will probably become true, but there still are some players who will be worth taking later.
The top five:
1. Rahim Moore, UCLAMore of a centerfielder than a hitter, Moore needs to get stronger. He is 6-0, 202 pounds, but at the combine he could only do 11 reps in the bench press. Moore led the nation with 10 interceptions as a sophomore. His production was way down last season (one interception), so NFL scouts are wondering which is the real Rahim. My guess is he is somewhere in the middle. Has OK speed for a safety (4.58 in the 40) but reads routes well.
2. Quinton Carter, OklahomaA more physical player than Moore. He is 6-1 and 208 pounds. Big hitter. Effective in the box against the run. Breaks up passes by separating receivers from the ball. Good agility and quickness. Can play man-to-man, mirrors receivers in and out of breaks. Some teams see him as a corner, but he would be better as a free safety. Missed the Senior Bowl because of injury, but had a good week of practice.
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3. Ahmad Black, FloridaVery productive college player but his stock slipped in the postseason workouts. He did not play in the Senior Bowl and ran a slower than expected time in the 40. Put that together with his size (5-9, 180) and it has some draft projections dropping him into the fourth round. I dont see that. Black can cover and his size did not hamper him against big-time competition at Florida. Sure tackler. Excels on kick coverage.
4. DeAndre McDaniel, ClemsonClocked a 4.65 in the 40 at the combine. Played as a roverpart-safety, part-linebackerat Clemson and intercepted 14 passes. Has good size (6-0, 213). Studies a ton of film and it shows. Always in the right spot. Understands zone principles. Does a good job of disguising coverages. Gets underneath deep routes and drives on the ball.
5. Deunta Williams, North CarolinaMoved from wide receiver to safety. Started every game the past two seasons and intercepted 13 passes. Also had 171 tackles so he doesnt shy away from contact. Closes well on the ball in the air. Solid build (6-1, 210). Shows the ability to avoid blocks and get to the football.
SleeperTejay Johnson, TCUStarted 38 games for an outstanding defense at TCU. Has the size to play free safety (6-0, 205) and makes big plays. Forced six turnovers last season. Hard-nosed competitor, plays with a lot of confidence.
Five more to rememberJaiquawn Jarrett (Temple), Robert Sands (West Virginia); Shiloh Keo (Idaho); Tyler Sash (Iowa); Marcus Gilchrist (Clemson)
E-mail Ray Didinger at viewfromthehall@comcast.net