NFL Draft Prospect Comparisons: Safeties
Written by Eric Galko   
Tuesday, 20 April 2010 08:17

Eric BerryThe reason that teams are concerned or excited about a prospect is because there has usually been some ground work and evidence to suggest one of those outcomes. That evidence is looking at former and current players' successes and failures and comparing them to this year's crop of franchise changers or busts.

So, by taking a look at which of this year's top cornerbacks remind of current NFL players, we can possibly get a good indication and projection of their potential of NFL success.

Eric Berry, Tennessee – Darren Sharper

There is some debate on where Berry will play at the pro level, either strong or free safety. I think it depends on the team he plays with, but overall, I think he fills a Darren Sharper type role.

Berry has unbelievable instictiveness as a safety in both run and pass support and can both deliver a huge hit as well as make a spectacular play on the ball.

He has such elite level athletic ability to go with his very high football IQ, there is no way he leaves the Top Seven and in my opinion, he’s not that far behind Suh and McCoy as defensive prospects.


Earl Thomas, Texas – Jason Allen/Antrel Rolle
On film, there isn’t much to not like of Earl Thomas’s game. He doesn’t deliver huge hits, but he’s a sound tackler who is no liability in run support. He has great foot quickness and can turn and run as well as a cornerback.

However, the biggest concern I have with him is that he’s a ‘tweener prospect, meaning he’s in between a cornerback and a safety, but isn’t quick one or the other. Rolle, after playing cornerback for a while, moved to safety and thrived. 

Jason Allen moved from safety to cornerback in the pros, and since then has bounced around the Dolphins depth chart without being a consistent starter even though he was a 1st rounder.


Taylor Mays, USC – Kerry Rhodes
One of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class, Mays is a frustrating prospect to analyze. 

He has the size, speed, quickness, tackling ability, hands, everything you’d like in a strong safety. But he just lacks that instictiveness to make enough plays in both the run or pass game for him to be a Top 10 pick, even though he’s a Top 10 talent.

A team will likely take a chance on Mays late in round one, and if they can somehow help he vision on the field, he could play better than Rhodes, who is a Pro Bowl considerate every year.


Nate Allen, South Florida – Troy Polomalu
Some scouts either love or hate Allen. I evidenetly love Allen as a prospect, and he has a chance to be as productive as Polomalu in the pros.

He plays with great instincts and makes the perfect hit on the ball, very similarly to why Polomalu has been so productive.

Neither player has the perfect body or speed, but both get by on heady plays and smart tackling that made Polomalu among the best and why Allen could be up there soon.


Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech – OJ Atogwe
Burnett has starting potential, but he needs some work if he hopes to get to OJ Atogwe’s level as a player.

While Atogwe isn’t an elite safety, he is a solid, capable starter with good range, good size, and is a sound tackler. Burnett showed signs of 1st round potential in college, but never played with consistency and well enough tackling to be there all year long.

With the right coaching and time to develop, Burnett can be a solid starter in the pros, and could be a productive talent for many years.


Chad Jones, LSU – Dawan Landry
Like Allen, some love Jones as a prospect, some feel he’s only average. I think he’s somewhere in between, and Jones’s best chance to be a great player is playing with another great talent.

Jones is a very rangy safety prospect who moves well sideline to sideline and is a sound tackler for a center fielder. He can play a strong safety in some schemes, similar to how Landry has over his career.

Like Landry, if he gets a talent like, let’s say, Ed Reed, next to him, he can be productive. He can be a one man defensive backfield, but with talent around him, he can be an asset to a team.

Comments (10)Add Comment
...
written by vv, May 10, 2010
We arebuy cheap wow gold dedicated to

bringing the best wow accounts andcheap wow accounts the best RS

accounts experience in the MMO industry. We are gamers ourselve by xl 2010.5.11
2010 NFL, 2010 NFL Jerseys,2010 NFL Jersey, 2010 NHL Jerseys, 2010 MLB Jerseys, 2010 NBA Jerseys
written by 2010nfl, May 23, 2010
Hello everyone,welcome to 2010 nfl website,we sell nfl all .in the nfl shop u can choose what u like in nfl.if you want to buy nfl jersey,
you can visit our website,there are many 2010 NFL Jerseys, 2010 MLB Jerseys, 2010 NBA Jerseys and 2010 NHL Jerseys.  
We provide best nfl and free nfl shipping u can buy nfl Jerseys from us and wear a real reebok nfl to watch nfl draft .
u can also join the nfl team or wacth nfl online .
Want more customers?
written by Ruth Early, June 17, 2010
We are Internet Marketing experts who can help you answer these questions, drive mass traffic to your site, and dramatically increase sales.
...
written by Troy Egan, June 18, 2010
Do you wish you could increase your online leads? We have helped a lot of businesses thrive in this market and we can help you! Simply hit reply and I’ll share with you the cost and the benefits.
all jordans
written by all jordans, July 28, 2010
Really cool, a lot of my friends would love this, gonna let them know about it right now. Cheers!
See you at the top
written by Ricky Dempsey, August 14, 2010
Do you want to grow your business? Do you have serious, defined sales goals?
Mr.
written by Henry Hagan, August 28, 2010
We are Internet Marketing experts who can help you answer these questions, drive mass traffic to your site, and dramatically increase sales.
Nike Dunk Sb Low
written by Nike Dunk Sb Low, August 30, 2010
It is so lucky to read your blog,it is full of useful message.I wish we both can do better in the future.It great honour if you can visit our website,and give us some suggession.
Vertu Signature
written by Vertu Signature, August 30, 2010
Nice information, valuable and excellent design, as share good stuff with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need, thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.
Software Development
written by Jose Mackey, September 01, 2010
We provide custom software development, software testing, database development, maintenance and other services related to web and software development. Please contact me for more information.

Write comment

busy
 

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Most-Wanted List

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. Here are some of our high-priority areas that we're specifically looking to grow. If your a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

  1. NBA/Basketball Blogs
  2. NFL Blogs
  3. Major League Baseball Blogs

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!