S RANKINGS 1.0 NFL DRAFT

25. Demani Richardson, Texas A&M

24. Jaylen Key, Alabama

23. Andre Sam, LSU

22. Patrick McMorris

California

6'0

207

2023 STATS:

50 SOLO 1 INT 7 PBU 2 FF

PROS:

Size
Physicality
Fluid
Slot versatility

CONS:

Speed
Tackling
Lured easily

DAY 3 GRADE

McMorris has some potential to play in the NFL. I think many teams are going to buy into the versatility of him, being able to play all 3 safety positions and even lining up in the slot. He has good size, yet doesn't play too tall, and actually is a very fluid player. However, there are a lot of missed tackles on his tape, a lot. I think he also has just about average speed for the position, but the tackles need to be cleaned up for him to make an impact.

21. Daijahn Anthony

Ole Miss

6'0

195

2023 STATS:

28 SOLO 3 INT 8 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Hard hitter
Man coverage
Slot versatility
Ball skills

CONS:

Tackling
Pursuit
Deep zone coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Anthony also has some tackling issues, but they are not as severe, as they come from his play style of hitting hard to disrupt plays. He also can line up in the slot, and has good man coverage abilities. He has good ball skills and finds himself around the play a lot, but I don't see him being a deep safety, due to him being easily turned around and faked by the QB.

20. Trey Taylor

Air Force

6'0

210

2023 STATS:

40 SOLO 3 INT 4 PBU

PROS:

Speed
Body control
Mirror
Length

CONS:

Footwork
Overaggressive
Zone coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Taylor is a really fun prospect, naturally, being a relative of Ed Reed. I think he is a phenomenal athlete and plays like a NFL player. His man coverage capabilities to mirror recievers and make a play on the ball. However, he does tend to try too much against the run, and takes himself out of the play often. As far as a deep zone goes, he is a work in progress there as well, as I like him in man coverage better. Taylor is a can't miss athlete in this class.

19. Tyler Owens

Texas Tech

6'2

216

2023 STATS:

30 SOLO 2 PBU

PROS:

Hybrid
Speed
Range
Special Teams

CONS:

Experience
Pursuit
Zone coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Owens will be a player that will make the league, it's just unknown in what condition. I think he has a high floor as a special teamer, as his ridiculous size-speed combo will allow him to be a pro special teamer. In terms of defense, I see him more as a hybrid safety-linebacker. I think he has good range and speed, but his zone coverage skills are really shaky. However, he has limited experience, and with some coaching and more tape he could be a decent coverage player. High risk high reward player.

18. Kenny Logan Jr

Kansas

6'0

205

2023 STATS:

64 SOLO 1 INT 6 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Instincts
Zone coverage
Length
Hard hitter

CONS:

Tackling
Route recognition
Grabby

DAY 3 GRADE

Logan definitely feels like we are in the next tier of safety prospects, as there is some true zone coverage talent on display here. His instincts as a deep safety allowed him to blossom, and put up good numbers. He has the length and speed to make plays comfortable from center field. However, he sacrifices wrapping up defenders for hitting them hard, something he should do a little less. He also seems to struggle with more complex routes, which could be worrisome at the next level, leading him to be a little grabby. I expect him to have good upside with more experience and coaching.

17. Josh Proctor

Ohio State

6'1

199

2023 STATS:

31 SOLO 1 INT 8 PBU

PROS:

Size/Frame
Tackling
Play recognition
Agility

CONS:

Speed
Deep coverage
Dropped INT's

DAY 3 GRADE

Proctor feels like a safe back-up safety. I would expect that to be what his career looks like in the NFL, a solid back-up safety, who is limited by his speed. If he can run a little faster, then he could maybe take bigger assignments further away from the line of scrimmage. However, I do like his frame and his tackling, as he was a stable contributor against the run, and was a smart player, diagnosing plays before they happen. I think he will end up on a team, but some work needs to be done for him to start.

16. Evan Williams

Oregon

5'11

200

2023 STATS:

49 SOLO 1 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Hybrid
Run defense
Hard Hitter
Special teams

CONS:

Frame
Man coverage
Missed tackles

DAY 3 GRADE

Williams is another hybrid linebacker-safety type player, and I think that works to his advantage. He lacks solid coverage capabilites, but he is a work-horse in the box. He is a hard hitter, and often times his hits perfectly to prevent catches. Inside the box is where he lives, and where he thrives. When he ventures outside of it, is when there is concern with open field tackling, or guarding a reciever one on one. I think he is worth drafting simlpy for his tenacity inside the box.

15. Dominique Hampton

Washington

6'2

215

2023 STATS:

64 SOLO 2 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

6'7 Wingspan
Instincts
Speed
Tackling

CONS:

Man coverage
Pursuit
Body Control

DAY 3 GRADE

Hampton has a 6'7 wingspan. Any defensive coordinator or coach would love to work with that and develop that into an elite safety. He has good upside due to his physical traits, not only being tall and long, but fast too. He uses his long arms to get his hands on the ball constantly, and wrap up ball-carriers well. He isn't very great in man coverage, but has the instincts to play zone and do well. He doesn't take great angles at ball carriers, which can lead to broken tackles. Overall, I think there is something to work with here.

14. Jaylin Simpson

Auburn

6'0

179

2023 STATS:

29 SOLO 4 INT 3 PBU

PROS:

Speed
Ball skills
Slot versatility
Mirror

CONS:

Run defense
Too aggressive

DAY 3 GRADE

Simpson has the explosive traits you look for in an NFL safety. He has the speed and ball skills to be all over the field and get his hands on the play. He has excellent zone coverage skills and man coverage skills. He could easily transition to a nickel corner. He isn't great in the run support, as he takes poor angles and can get overpowered by blockers. He can also get too eager to make a play and completely whiff it. However, his traits are undeniably NFL ready.

13. Tykee Smith

Georgia

5'10

202

2023 STATS:

46 SOLO 4 INT 2 PBU

PROS:

Hybrid
Tackle and INT production
Burst
Special teams

CONS:

Height
Man coverage
Narrow role

DAY 3 GRADE

Due to his size, Smith will only have a lane of becoming a sub-package safety, but he will play that role to perfection. I think he is a monster in the box, as he puts up production constantly, and is always on the play. He has a good burst and reaction to the play, and that allows him to put up big numbers for a safety-linebacker hybrid. His height does allow him to not be a good match-up guarding, really anyone, which hurts his capabilites. He is still a viscous player, even without being a coverage player.

12. Sione Vaki

Utah

5'11

210

2023 STATS:

37 SOLO 1 INT 2 PBU

PROS:

Hard Hitter
Tackling
Ball skills
Mirror

CONS:

Block shed
Pursuit
Physicality

DAY 3 GRADE

Vaki is a VERY polarizing prospect. I see both sides, and tried to rank him fairly. I see the upside and the production in college as him being a good ball-player, but I do see the limitations of his game seen by some NFL experts. Vaki is the ultimate low floor high ceiling player in the safety class. If he can do what he did in college, he will have a successful career, but if the concerns over his size and physicality are true, then he would likely be a bust. I think he is probably worth the risk on day 3.

11. Malik Mustaphah

Wake Forest

5'10

209

2023 STATS:

45 SOLO 1 INT 2 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Frame
Run defense
Short area coverage
Contested catches

CONS:

Deep coverage
Too aggressive

DAY 2 GRADE

Mustaphah is my first day 2 grade for safeties. He isn't a traditional deep safety, as he isn't as great deep down the field, but underneath, he is an animal. He is a great tackler, big hitter, a force in run support, and is not the guy you want contesting your ball. If he could play the way he does deep down the field the way he plays underneath, he would be a 1st round player. He can be a little too aggressive, but I think that can be coached out.

10. James Williams

Miami

6'4

231

2023 STATS:

48 SOLO 1 INT 4 PBU 2 FF

PROS:

Versatility
Length
Tackling
Man coverage

CONS:

Zone coverage
Deep coverage

DAY 2 GRADE

Williams is another player who plays excellently underneath, but is more of a coverage guy rather than a run defender. He has the veratility to play all over the field, which many teams will like, along with his elite length. He is as sure a tackler as they come, something that will always be valued. He isn't great deep down the field, but that is due to his lack of zone coverage experience, something he could improve at if given more experience.

9. Beau Brade

Maryland

6'0

203

2023 STATS:

48 SOLO 1 INT 6 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Versatility
Ball skills
Run defense
Zone coverage

CONS:

Power/Strength
Allows some separation

DAY 2 GRADE

Brade is a safe safety prospect, something that there doesn't feel like there is a lot of in this class. He has the versatility to play just about anywhere, will provide good run support and contains good zone coverage skills and ball skills to be valuable in coverage. I think he needs to add some strength to be a more impactful hitter, and while he is solid in coverage, he could be better. Nonetheless, he is a safe pick.

8. Kitan Oladapo

Oregon State

6'2

216

2023 STATS:

44 SOLO 2 INT 7 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Classic SS
Tackler/Hitter
Ball Skills
Lock's down tight ends

CONS:

Speed
Play recognition

DAY 2 GRADE

Oladapo could literally be described as the ideal day 2 strong safety prospect. Literally. He has the strenghts and weaknesses a day 2 strong safety would have.

T-6. Jaden Hicks

Washington State

6'2

211

2023 STATS:

47 SOLO 2 INT 4 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Size
Man coverage
Instincts
Ball skills

CONS:

Agility
Play recognition

DAY 2 GRADE

Hicks is an ideal coverage safety. He does well when asked to guard recievers, or tight ends, and can play excellent man or zone coverage. He has the instincts and ball skills to make plays, and the size to be an NFL player. He doesn't have great agility or change of direction, so some of the better ball-carriers can handle him easily. Regardless, he possesses good coverage skills from a safety position.

T-6. Calen Bullock

USC

6'2

188

2023 STATS:

42 SOLO 2 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

Versatile
Deep coverage
Zone coverage
Man coverage

CONS:

Run defense
Tackling

DAY 2 GRADE

Bullock kind of feels like a corner back, as he doesn't really have the physicality to be a safety, but he absolutely has the coverage talent. His knack for playing center field, and trusting his instincts to allow him to make plays, is what anyone looking for a FS would beg for. He is bad against the run, not okay, pretty bad. He really struggles as a tackler or a contributor on run plays. He could transition to a corner or a nickel corner, but I think he still has plenty of upside as a safety.

5. Cole Bishop

Utah

6'2

206

2023 STATS:

35 SOLO 2 INT 3 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Run defense
Man coverage
Zone coverage
Anticipation
Effort

CONS:

Block shed
Pursuit

DAY 2 GRADE

The top 5 safeties are clear to me in this class, as they are a step above everyone else, but not quite round 1 talent, although they are close. Bishop is a do it all safety, plays with intensity and effort, displaying his elite size and physicality. He is a valuable run defender, while also being a great coverage safety at all levels of the field.

4. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

Texas Tech

5'10

197

2023 STATS:

53 SOLO 4 INT 7 PBU

PROS:

Measurables
Versatility
Ball skills
Man coverage
IQ

CONS:

Height
Patience

PRO COMPARISON
Jordan Whitehead

DAY 2 GRADE

Taylor-Demerson has been flying up draft boards, and I can see why. He has the best measurables probably of the safety class, and he has the versatility to play all over the field. He is elite in man coverage, and is a smart player when it comes to coverage. He will be wanted for his athletic ability, but his height is a concern to some teams. If this wasn't such a loaded draft class across the whole board, I could see some people mocking him into the first round just based off upside.

3. Javon Bullard

Georgia

5'10

198

2023 STATS:

39 SOLO 2 INT 5 PBU

PROS:

Nickel
IQ
Instincts
Pursuit
Man coverage
Run defense

CONS:

Missed tackles
High safety

PRO COMPARISON

Jalen Pitre/ Kenny Moore prototype

DAY 2 GRADE

Bullard is at best when he is in the nickel, so that is how teams will use him. He is likely the best nickel corner in the class, as he is smart, has good instincts, and can be a contributor no matter his assignment. He will be a quality NFL starter.

2. Kamren Kinchens

Miami

5'11

203

2023 STATS:

40 SOLO 5 INT 5 PBU

PROS:

Instincts
Deep coverage
Ball Skills
Run defense
Tackling
Versatility

CONS:

Speed
Big play

PRO COMPARISON

Jaquan Brisker

DAY 2 GRADE

Kinchens didn't run well at the combine, but I don't really care that much. He has countless NFL traits that will translate well, with good effort and tenacity for a safety. I don't really buy into his stock lowering.

1. Tyler Nubin

Minnesota

6'1

199

2023 STATS:

34 SOLO 5 INT 4 PBU 1 FF

PROS:

Size
Length
Versatility
Ball Skills
Instincts
Run defense

CONS:

Pursuit
Okay speed

PRO COMPARISON

Marcus Williams

DAY 2 GRADE

Nubin is the safest pick for a safety, because he is that good. He is the closest thing to this class having a first round player. He can play wherever on the field, but you just want his bakk-hawking skills on the field no matter what. This should come as no surprise.

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