2017 NFL Draft: Safety

2017 NFL Draft Safeties

What an unbelievable safety class. It reminds me of the 2010 draft with Eric Berry and Earl Thomas. I think these top two guys will go in the first 15 picks. It’s basically a toss up between Adams and Hooker, and may come down to a team’s need at strong safety or free safety. I have Adams ahead by a nose because of Hooker’s injury and learning curve ahead.

Jamal Adams-S-LSU-6’0”-214-Top 15-97

He is a big, aggressive, downhill safety. LSU keeps pumping out talented defensive backs and Jamal Adams is no different. He’s big for the position with long 33.5” arms, reminiscent of a more athletic Kam Chancellor. Adams laid some big hits for the Tigers and his enthusiasm and leadership will bring swagger to a defense. He has coverage limitations and will never be your center fielder but you don’t want him to be. Jamal is a strong safety who can move down in the box for a big nickel or big dime look, which are becoming increasingly used. Plus he can cover tight ends or play zone and he’ll be a special teams ace. Coverage safety is the more valuable role, but this kid is a special athlete and playmaker who’ll make the entire defense around him better. If you want to see the value of this role see what happened to the Seahawks defense when Chancellor wasn’t there, or how good the Giants defense became when Landon Collins broke out.

Malik Hooker-S-Ohio State-6’1”-206-Top 15-96

Only one year as a starter, but it was a doozy as he intercepted 7 passes en route to 1st Team All American status. I’m not exactly sure what to make of this kid. He clearly has great hips, he high points the ball, has excellent awareness and good hands to take the ball away. But sometimes he looks hesitant, especially against the run. He picked up football as a junior in high school and only has one real season of collegiate experience so I think a lot of his issues (which aren’t many) can be explained away as inexperience. Hooker has the highest ceiling among this safety class and his strength is against the pass not the run, and that’s the greatest value for safeties. Unfortunately for Malik, he needed two offseason surgeries (hernia, labrum) which might keep him out of training camp and into next season. That will affect his draft stock and make teams wonder about his durability. He’s getting some comparisons to Eric Berry and even Ed Reed which seem premature to me, but don’t be shocked if in 3 years he develops into that type of player.

Jabrill Peppers-S-Michigan-5’11”-213-1st Round-88

Very fun player to watch last fall. Peppers was in the Heisman watch as a safety, linebacker, running back, and dynamic punt returner. I didn’t know what his role would be in the NFL, but I think he’ll be an in the box safety primarily. Let’s be honest he doesn’t have the coverage ability to be a first round safety. He’s young, only 21, he will continue to improve, but right now I see him as a run support safety and punt returner. Jabrill is certainly a top athlete clocking a 4.46 in the 40 and a 35.5” vertical leap. Fluid mover who attacks the line of scrimmage with a vengeance. I see some Polamalu or Bob Sanders in his style. The problem is Polamalu was the ultimate playmaker, in two seasons Peppers has 1 interception and no forced fumbles, although he does make plays in the backfield. I’m iffy about this one because he’s such a large personality I don’t know how he’ll accept a role that’s anything but the star of the show. Peppers will have to be a man to man or robber zone safety, which is limiting, and if that doesn’t work out I don’t see him playing the Deone Bucannon role because his 30.75” arms are too short to take on offensive lineman. This is a difficult evaluation because Jabrill is the epitome of a football player but he’s a risky pick and I don’t see first round value. Update: Peppers had a dilute piss test at the combine. The league views that the same as pissing hot, but teams may or may not. Just another reason drafting him is a roll of the dice.

Obi Melifonwu-S-UConn-6’4”-224-3rd Round/Day-77

He set the combine on fire. You don’t normally see a safety his size, and you sure as hell don’t see one run a 4.4 and scrape the ceiling with a 44 inch vertical. After high school in Grafton, Mass, Obi redshirted his first year at UConn and then started the next 4 seasons at free safety. I’m reminded of Taylor Mays and his inability to play coverage at the NFL level, but I think this kid has a good shot. Primarily playing deep safety in a cover 2 zone, Obi has 4 years of experience covering the deep half. Plus he looks smooth in his backpedal and driving upfield. We all know he has the athletic traits to cover ground and challenge receivers in the air, but with only 8 interceptions in 4 seasons I don’t expect him to take the ball away like Malik Hooker. I wish he was a more intimidating physical presence too. With his attributes you wish Obi could be a major playmaker and he might develop into one, but right now I just don’t see it. I think he can be a starting safety in the league and should be a monster on special teams. High upside might push him into the 2nd round. George Iloka is a solid comparison.