Scouting Blog
Scouting Notes on Safeties
Safeties Top 10
Grant Delpit, SS, LSU (1)
-can tackle in the deep zone
-great in run defense
-functions in the slot in coverage
-elite instincts
-good tackling technique
-great range as a safety
Jalen Elliott, S, Notre Dame (2) (underrated)
-good open field tackler
-good instincts
-good run defender
-plays with some physicality
-played the deep safety in Notre Dame’s system
JR Reed, FS, Georgia (3) (underrated)
-good tackler
-average instincts
-more of a deep safety
-good at getting off blocks
-capable blitzer
-good range as a safety
-good in slot coverage
Khaleke Hudson, S, Michigan (4)
-can cover tight ends
-played near the line of scrimmage
-good run defender
-good instincts
-best fit as a strong safety and played that at Michigan
Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois (FCS) (5)
-played a lot of deep safety
-good open field tackler
-good instincts
-plays soft man coverage by design
-physical defender
Kyle Dugger, S, Lenior Rhyne (6)
-covered the slot
-good instincts
-can tackle
-good run defender
-more of a free safety
-played at division 2
Ashtyn Davis, FS, California (7) (Overrated)
-average instincts
-plays a lot of deep safety
-sure tackler
-okay in run support
-good blitzer
-needs to play tighter man coverage in the slot
-was supposed to be a combine warrior but only did the bench
-free safety
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama (8) (overrated)
-Good instincts in the deep zone, not as much against run
– can cover the slot
– played more of the strong safety in Alabama’s defense, but I think he is a better free safety
-okay tackler, nothing special
-I don’t think he was a playmaker against the run
Terrell Burgess, S, Utah (9)
-played near line of scrimmage
-can stay with tight ends in coverage
-not a physical blitzer
-good tackler
-average instincts
Antoine Winfield, S, Minnesota (10)
-hard-hitter!
-decent instincts
-good run supporter
-more of a free safety
-needs to get off blocks better
-not asked to cover the slot a lot
-more of a hitter than a form tackler
-more of free safety that should be in zone
Underrated: JR Reed; Jalen Elliott
Overrated: Xavier McKinney; Ashtyn Davis
Geno Stone, S, Iowa (Sleeper)
-more of a free safety
-good instincts
-needs better range
-needs to get off blocks better
-great ball skills
-sneaky playmaker
-projected to be a late-round pick but is a sneaky playmaker
-ran in the 4.6s and is only 5’10
Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland
-not as active in run support
-played deep safety and near line of scrimmage
-average tackler
-stays in phase decently in man coverage
-excellent at rushing the passer from the edge for a safety
K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
-decent instincts
-can cover the slot
-decent tackler
-played in the box
-needs to be a better run defender
-needs to get off blocks better
Josh Metellus, FS, Michigan
-decent tackling angles
-can cover the slot
-played a lot of deep safety
-can be a bit more physical in man coverage
-I think he needs to have better tackling technique
Jared Mayden, S, Alabama
-played deep safety at Alabama
-gets off blocks decently
-good run defender
-instincts are below average
-below average tackler
Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame
-decent at getting off blocks
-plays deep zone well
-Irish played a lot of Cover-2
-average instincts
-below average run defender
-strong safety in Notre Dame’s system
Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
-played a lot of deep safety
-needs better range
-playing the pass is a weakness in deep zone
-can make that touchdown saving tackle
-got torched by Matt Fink of USC
Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State
-decent safety range
-needs to be a better tackler
-average in pass coverage. More of a tackle the catch guy
-hard hitter
-average instincts
-decent ball skills
-better fit as a deep safety
Brandon Jones, SS, Texas
-played in the box
-decent in run defense
-average at getting off blocks
-good in pass coverage
-needs to be a better tackler
-his red zone coverage is a bit lacking
Shyheim Carter, S/CB, Alabama
-good in coverage in the slot
-asked to play in the slot a lot
-good violence getting off blocks
-good tackler
-more of a slot corner than a safety
Myles Dorn, S, North Carolina
-takes bad angles when tackling
-was a deep safety
-bad tackler
-couldn’t cover the screen
-doesn’t have great instincts
-more of a free safety
Luther Kirk, S, Illinois State
-played more in the box
-good pursuit to the ballcarrier
-capable blitzer
-average tackler
-does need to get stronger as a tackler
Rodney Clemons, FS, SMU
-needs to improve his open field tackling
-a little handsy in coverage
-needs better instincts
-more of a free safety
-wasn’t as active in run support
Brian Cole II, S, Mississippi State
-played more in the box
-physical in coverage
-asked to cover a lot in the slot
-good tackler
-needs to stay in phase better in coverage but does the job
-sheds blocks well
-capable blitzer
-instincts in zone could improve
