1. Thomas Davis
Georgia 6-1 225 4.5
Upside: Big, physical
safety who can run and cover in any scheme. Aggressive in run support. Plays with good eyes and he sees flow well. Attacks
the seam and he closes outside-in. Physical tackler who breaks down and runs his feet through defenders. Is big enough that
he can be screwed down and play as the eight guy in the box. Fluid in zone. Hugs the hash and he can open and go lateral in
cover two or carry a route in either three deep or quarters. Can be screwed down and he can line up over a slot or a displaced
tight end. Closes on the ball and he chases back and takes good angles.
Downside: Has had problems
staying healthy in the past. Tends to be overly aggressive at times and he will take the occasional false step and bite on
play-action. Can be inconsistent and he will fall in love with his athletic ability and take more chances than he has to from
time to time.
Final Report: Davis
is basically an athletic weakside linebacker. He is more suited to play the strong safety and he would benefit from a scheme
that defines that position for him. He isn’t good enough consistently downfield to rotate and cover. Good player who
should be off the board by the 25th pick.
2. Ernest Shazor
Michigan 6-3 225 4.45
Upside: Big, physical
safety who attacks the ball and he is a punishing tackler. Sees blocks well and he steps up and attacks the alley. Ideal strong
safety that can be screwed down as the eight guy and still be effective around the line. Can stack and shed blocks and he
is not afraid to mix it up with a second level lineman. Better in zone than man. Has good range and he can move well vertically
and laterally. Athletic enough to make up ground in cover two and pick up a receiver down field. Displays good ball and because
of his straight line speed and he can jump routes if he’s dropped underneath and make a play on the ball.
Downside: Limited in
man coverage. He is not the type of safety you can stick on the slot and expect him to run all over the place. Plays too up
right in zone and he is stiff. Takes bad angles in coverage and even though he has good speed, its not make-up speed. Eyes
balls play-action too much at times and he needs to learn to move his eyes off the off-tackle hole.
Final Report: Shazor
was a solid two year starter for the Wolverines and his physical presence allows him to be a factor in run support. If he
can improve in coverage and is protected especially in man, he has the ability to turn into another Rodney Harrison, Steve
Atwater type.
3. Brodney Pool Oklahoma
6-3 200 4.5
Scouting Report: Aggressive
safety who can play the run and the pass equally well. Makes good reads and can jump the alley if the tight end or backside
tackle block down. Closes quickly and he moves well in all directions. Willing to mix it up in run support. Breaks down and
runs through a ball carrier. Better in zone than man. Looks fluid and smooth in his drop. Can jump routes and he plays the
ball well. Will struggle in man coverage. Takes too many chances and he leans and loses receivers. Will not make up ground
if he falls behind. Would benefit from being left deep in a single safety coverage rather than two-deep because he can be
an athlete and not a reader who sinks and drifts. Can be a starter in the NFL
but he will start off as a special teamer.
4. Donte Nicholson Oklahoma 6-2 210 4.57
Scouting Report: Big,
physical safety who excels in run support and he is aggressive to the ball. Makes good reads on the ball and he fills fast.
Attacks ball carriers and runs through them. Solid in run support. Hard tackler who breaks down and delivers punishment. Shows
Above average closing quickness and he can jump and make a play on the ball. Better in zone than man. Looks fluid and smooth
in his drop and he has quick twich hips and he can open and run. Breaks on the ball and he finishes plays. Can be a bit undisciplined
and he is better suited being protected in man coverage. Solid contributor who can start in the NFL but he will need refinement.
5. Vincent Fuller
Virginia Tech 6-1 185
4.45
Scouting Report: Corner,
safety prospect who is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft. Versatile. Does a good jump reading his keys in
zone and he can jump down and mix it up in the run game. Willing in run support and he is a through tackler who finishes plays.
Moves well in all directions and he gets a good jump on the ball. Excels in man coverage. Can jump on a hip one on one and
he can stay and close on the ball. Smooth in zone, moves well, he sees the ball well and he can get in on routes. Fuller can
get engulfed in space versus the run game and he isn’t strong enough to hold up versus bigger fullbacks in space. Dodges
blocks and he will take chances in coverage. Solid prospect who will go on day one because of his versatility.
6. James Butler
Georgia Tech 6-2 205
4.6
Scouting Report: Butler
is a true free safety who makes good reads from depth and he can either jump routes or screw down and fill in run support.
Solid tackler who makes plays around the box. Can break down and finish and he is a physical tackler. Has the ability to cover
in both man and zone. Can lock up versus slot receivers and he is effective in zone. Moves well and he can break on routes
and play the ball. The problem with Butler is he lacks the speed to be effective versus receivers who can accelerate and force
him to open his hips. Needs to stay at home versus play-action, can be too aggressive in this area. Butler can start in the
NFL but he might not initially unless he wins in camp.
7. Sean Considine Iowa
5-11 ½ 210 4.5
Scouting Report: Physical
run supporting safety who attacks the ball and fills and finishes. Makes good reads on the tight end side and he can fill
space. Takes good pursuit angles and he chases well from the backside. Solid tackler who breaks down, wraps and drops. Better
in zone than man. Can drift along the hash and he moves well in all four directions. Breaks on the ball and he is aggressive
when the ball is in the air. Size is an issue. He doesn’t have the ideal height and he will struggle in man because
of his limited limb movements. Plays a bit stiff and high. Will start out as a special teamer but he has enough ability to
contribute as a rookie.
8. Oshiomogho Atogwe
Stanford 5-11 205 4.55
Scouting Report: Short,
aggressive strong safety type who reads the tight end block and he can fill and attack fast. Breaks down and he finishes backs
in space. Aggressive when the ball’s in the air. He can make a play on it and he doesn’t lose his leverage in
coverage. Better in zone than man. Clicks feet and he can drop down in the box in robber coverage and make a play on the ball.
Size will be a problem. He can be taken advantage of one on one in man. Can be
overly aggressive at times and he bites on play-action. Hard worker who will stick as a special teamer and he can contribute
in sub packages.
9. Josh Bullocks
Nebraska 6-0 205
4.55
Scouting Report: Big,
physical safety who has ideal size and strength. Makes good reads and he is willing to jump down and play the run. Physical
tackler who attacks ball carriers and he can wrap and drive. Takes good angles in pursuit and he can be effective if he’s
dropped down in a robber coverage. Better in zone than man. Shows great anticipation and he breaks well on the ball. Can be
a liability in man and at times he’s too aggressive. Should make a roster as a rookie and he has the ability to contribute
in sub packages.
10. Jamal Brimmer UNLV 6-1 215 4.65
Scouting Report: Brimmer
has good size and ball skills. He reads corner blocks well and he can jump down and support the run. Plays well in space when
he’s dropped down and he breaks on the ball well. Can lock down on the slot and he can in man to man as a nickel. Plays
too high and he has slipped because of mediocre workouts. He doesn’t make enough plays at times and he plays too high.
If he can turn himself around, he can be effective and he could start with work.
11. Dustin Fox Ohio St.
5-11 190 4.5
Scouting Report: Fox
is a combination corner, safety prospect who has NFL bloodlines with his uncle Tim who played for the Patriots and Rams. Solid
athlete who is aggressive versus the run and he’s not afraid to mix it up as a hard corner. Moves well in space and
he can jump routes in all four directions. Very active, can wear many hats in any scheme. Size is a concern but he has the
ability to stick as a sub nickel and play some safety in a pinch.
