2018 Draft Analysis, Part 3: Safeties

February 22, 2018

by Adam Taraschke

Welcome back to another week of my draft previews.  This week I look at the safeties in the upcoming draft class.  Contrary to last week’s CB preview, this year’s safety class is not as deep or top heavy.  There are a handful of players who will make an impact in the NFL right away, but this year’s crop is a little weak.  Versatility is a theme for this year’s group, but if you are looking for a true FS your options are limited.  There are a bunch of box safeties who can impact the run game, but very few rangy safeties who can make plays down the field.  Players with a single asterisk would be best suited in a dime or money backer role.  Players with two asterisks would best be suited as a nickel corner/safety.  The rankings are based purely on abilities as a safety and would be subject to change if I were ranking them as off ball LBs or nickel defenders.

  1. Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) 6’1, 200
  2. *Derwin James (Florida State) 6’3 215
  3. Armani Watts (Texas A&M) 5’11 205
  4. Justin Reid (Stanford) 6’0 205
  5. Ronnie Harrison (Alabama) 6’3 215
  6. *Kyzir White (West Virginia) 6’2 215
  7. **Jeremy Reaves (South Alabama) 5’11 205
  8. Jordan Whitehead (Pittsburg) 5’11 195
  9. **Siran Neal (Jacksonville State) 6’0 200
  10. Godwin Igwebuike (Northwestern) 6’0 205

Day 1 prospect: Derwin James (Florida State) 6’3 215

Strengths: James passes the eye test as soon as he walks into a room.  A HWS dream for defensive coordinators.  He has the speed and quickness to play a deep third down the field, but is better utilized near the line of scrimmage.  Finds the ball quickly and closes in a hurry.  He’s a disciplined defender who can play multiple roles for a defense.  Plays with great leverage and technique in his run fits.  Great tackler who brings his hips into every tackle.

Weaknesses: He can get lost in coverage when he is put into space.  Needs to be better with his eye discipline in coverage.  Has trouble diagnosing coverages at times.  He could clean up his pursuit angles.  He tends to rely on his athleticism over technique.  He has the frame and the strength to take on blockers, but he needs to attack blockers rather than catch them flat footed.  Has a some tightness in his hips.

Overall: James is a top 20 player for me and definitely should be considered at 13.  I believe he will be best utilized in a dime backer role.  His size and speed would be a nightmare for OC’s to scheme around.  He is a great blitzer with the size and speed to cover TE’s and RB’s.  His athleticism would be a welcome addition to Washington’s run defense.  Regardless of where they decide to use him he would make an impact day 1.  This defense needs to get faster and more physical.  James could help the defense improve in both categories.  The former 5-star recruit brings a winning mentality and a top notch work ethic.  He may not have a defined position, but he has a skillset becoming more valuable in today’s NFL.

Day 2 prospect: Armani Watts (Texas A&M) 5’11 205

Strengths: Watts is one of my favorite players in this class.  He plays with a swagger that makes me want to run through a wall.  He is a heat seeking missile once he locates the ball.  He has a nose for the ball and finds a way to make plays all over the field.  He is physical when attacking the ball carrier.  He has good hips and range to turn and run down the field.  He diagnoses plays quickly and knows when to attack an offense.  Tremendous ball skills.  Great athlete and leader on the field.  He can control his deep third with ease.  Straight up playmaker.

Weaknesses: He is physical in run support, but doesn’t always wrap up.   Inconsistent in run support.  Will take plays off if he is not involved.  He lacks elite size and strength.  He tends to get beat on double moves.  Guesses on routes too much.

Overall: Watts is a guy who does everything well, but lacks an elite quality.  He should be available day 2, but he is a top 50 player for me.  He is a plug and play safety with few weaknesses.  He can play either safety role and not skip a beat.  With Torian Gray as his position coach he will develop into a quality starting safety in no time. If I were the Redskins GM I would select Watts with the 44th pick and never look back.

Day 3 prospect: Siran Neal (Jacksonville State) 6’0 200

Strengths: Neal is a versatile defender with experience at CB, S, and LB.  He plays with a mean streak and a physicality that NFL coaches will love.  He is a good athlete with speed to make plays all over the field.  Can mirror well when playing man coverage.  He plays with great leverage and discipline in his run fits.  Powerful tackler with great form.  He locates the ball and closes quickly. He can play corner or safety without skipping a beat.  Solid ball skills when attacking an offensive player.

Weaknesses: His hips can be a little tight in transition.  He tends to rely on his athleticism and his technique goes by the wayside.  His instincts are average.  He needs to diagnose offenses better.  He is a read and react player rather than anticipating the route.  His feet can get lazy giving him trouble against receivers with great feet.

Overall: As a day 3 selection I look for value.  Neal gives you a guy who can come in and effect the run and pass from multiple positions and he still has potential to grow.  I’ll take a chance on a guy like that in the 4th or 5th round any year.  I think he is best suited for a nickel safety role.  He can play near the line of scrimmage and use his athleticism to play the run, while using his versatility to match up with offensive weapons in the pass game.  His level of competition is worrisome, but he is a competitive guy and I expect him to raise his game in the NFL.  I think if Greg Manusky can find the right role for a player like Neal he could have a big time impact on this defense day 1.

Favorite prospect: Kyzir White (West Virginia) 6’2 215

Strengths: White is a box safety.  When he puts his pads on someone they aren’t getting away.  He plays with aggression and power when attacking a ball carrier.  He is excellent in run support.  Attacks blockers and sheds them with ease.  He diagnoses plays quickly.  He has the size and length of a starting safety in the NFL.  Great eye discipline, rarely gets beat by double moves and play action.  He can be a dangerous tool in a blitz package.  Plays every down as hard as the last.  Great leader and communicator on the field.

Weaknesses: He has tight hips and struggles to open and run with receivers.  He does not possess game breaking speed.  His lateral quickness is less than desirable.  He seems to be destined for a role as a dime backer which will require him to add weight and may slow his development.

Overall: I picture White falling into the same role Cravens played as a rookie.  He has the frame to add 10-15 pounds and play as an off-ball LB at 230 pounds.  His physicality, instincts, and tackling prowess would be a welcome addition to this team. He brings a great mentality into the locker with him before anything else.  He would be a great feature to Manusky’s blitz package.  He is excellent as a backside force defender.  He could cover TEs and RBs as a LB without Washington having to take Nicholson or Swearinger off the field. He would be an instant upgrade to our defense and fill a void that is very important to this team.  In today’s pass happy league every team should have a dime backer that will play at least on 3rd down and usually 2nd down as well.  For a player who should be available in the 2nd round he has a ton of traits to like and has a defined role he can succeed in right away.

Highest Ceiling: Minkah Fitzpatrick

Highest Floor: Minkah Fitzpatrick

Best Cover Safety: Armani Watts

Best Box Safety: Kyzir White

Most Versatile: Siran Neal

Biggest Riser: Jeremy Reaves

Biggest Sleeper: Jordan Whitehead

1,724 comments