2010 NFL Draft Coverage – Safety’s Preview
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The NFL draft moves to primetime for the first time in 2010. The first round will be in PRIMETIME, and takes place on Thursday April 22nd at 7:30 p.m. ET. The NFL Draft second and third rounds are on Friday April 23 at 6 p.m. ET. Rounds Four thru Seven will be held on Saturday April 24th at 10 a.m. ET.
With all that said the 2010 NFL Draft is rapidly coming up on us and our College football handicapping expert James Hayes has begun analyzing player data from the Combine and PRO workout days.
He’s begun writing his online NFL draft position by position scouting reports.
Onto the 2010 Safety’s – (CB) Rankings –
ERIC BERRY, Tennessee
Berry is not only the best safety prospect, but the best defensive back prospect in 2010. He has the athleticism to probably be able to transition to any spot in the defensive secondary, including corner. His potential as a rangy, ball-hawking safety brings Baltimore’s Ed Reed to mind. He was the defensive leader for the Vols for two seasons and is a surefire Top 10 pick. On talent alone, Berry is one of the top five prospects in this draft, but he might fall somewhat, as safety isn’t often a glaring concern for the crappiest team possessing high picks. He could go to Cleveland, who have the seventh pick and badly need help in the secondary – even after acquiring CB Sheldon Brown.
EARL THOMAS, Texas
This former Longhorn brings many of the same things to the table that Eric Berry does; perhaps the only thing limiting Thomas is his smaller stature. As a safety prospect, 5”10, 200 lbs is rather small. Some question Thomas’s durability in the pros. Other than that, he is a fluid athlete and a natural playmaker. At Texas he was consistently productive and on the rare occasions Thomas does get beat, he has excellent recovery speed. He is an instinctive player and a sure tackler. By putting up 21 reps on the bench at the Combine, Thomas proved that (for a man his size) he won’t be egregiously out-muscled. He is a definite first-round pick and could crack the top 20 picks.
TAYLOR MAYS, Southern Cal
This USC man-child is a bit of an enigma. Many fans remember Mays cracking helmets in two with kill-shots and making other collegians look like Pop Warner players; it’s always been his calling card. Yet Mays lost money by coming back to USC this season because he proved he isn’t a playmaker and has lousy ball skills. He loves wiping opponents out with the big hit and his impressive measurables (6”4, 230 lbs, sub-4.5 forty-yard dash) will get him drafted early enough by someone. Drafting Mays, however, should come with some red flags.
NATE ALLEN, USF
Allen is somewhat the antithesis of Taylor Mays: a clean, mature young man who doesn’t have the eye-popping tangibles but has always worked hard and produced. At 6”1, 205, Allen has enough size to play free safety in the NFL. He takes good angles to the ball and is a nice technician. He is a passionate, vocal leader and was team captain for South Florida this season. He’s physical, instinctive and a three-year starter. A team who drafts Allen might not be getting a genetic marvel, but they will snag someone who will earn his spot every step of the way. He should be off the board in the first 60 picks or so; he could be a nice fit for the Dallas Cowboys in the second round.
RESHAD JONES, Georgia
The Bulldogs are known for pumping out NFL-capable defenders and Jones is no exception. Jones goes at 6”1, 215 lbs and is a strong kid; he finished tied for second in bench press at the Combine with 24 reps. One concern about Jones is his penchant for stone hands with catchable interceptions; this is a tough shortcoming because it seems to be something players simply do or do not have an inherent knack for. Still, he’s durable, tough and likes to lay a licking. If he can keep his motor running at all times, he could be a solid NFL player.
Honorable Mention: Lucien Antoine, Oklahoma State At 6”0, 215 lbs he packs a punch, which is no longer up for debate after his 28 bench press reps at the Combine.
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