Having a FS that’s versatile is key to the success of defenses across the NFL. Because teams are going with more 3-5 WR sets, the qualifications to play FS has changed over time. A lot of FS’s are former CB’s who have cover skills. In some defensive schemes, the FS is asked to come down and play man coverage on a slot WR or a TE. They also need to have the range and ball skills to play CF, the deep halves and quarters. Here are the top FS’s in this year’s draft.
1. FS Cody Prewitt 6’2 208 lbs Sr. Ole Miss (#69 on the Big Board) Grade: 3rd Round
40 Time: 4.46 Bench Press: 12 reps Vertical: 35′ Broad Jump: 10’5 3 Cone: 7.12 Short Shuttle: 4.23
Career Stats: 51 Games 247 Tackles 14 TFL 5 FF 4 FR 13 PBU 12 INT
Strengths: Prewitt is smart, a student of the game, has really good size for a safety. Reads the QB’s eyes well from CF, anticipates well, showing the speed to go make a play on the football. He’s real smooth in his backpedal, has good form, gets out of it quickly, driving on the ball. Has really good ball skills, if he gets his hands on it, he catches it. Comfortable playing the deep 3rd in cover 3 or in the box playing hook to flat. Decent tackler, shows the ability to breakdown and make tackles in the open field. Fits well with a team who plays a lot of Cover 3 and Cover 1. Will separate WR’s from the football across the middle.
Weaknesses: Prewitt will get manipulated by the QB, which leaves him a half step behind at times. Prewitt isn’t a big impact player vs the run, show to read, and takes bad angles at times.
2. FS Derron Smith 5’10 200 lbs rSr. Fresno St. (#102 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40 Time: 4.60 Vertical: 34′ Broad Jump: 10’3 Short Shuttle: 4.48 3 Cone: 6.94 Bench Press: 18 reps
Career Stats: 56 Games 304 Tackles 15 INT 4 Sacks 25 PBU 13.5 TFL
Strengths: Centerfielder, Smith is smooth in his drops, reads to QB’s eyes well and can drive on the football or open his hips, turn and go get it. Shown some ability to play man coverage in the slot on WR’s and TE’s. Has good technique, stays low in his backpedal, allowing smooth transitions. Great ball skills, catches everything he gets his hands on. Added value as a kick and punt coverage guy. Got better in 14′ as far as picking the right lanes to fill vs the run. Not a great tackler, but very willing.
Weaknesses: Smith has to take better angles and routes to the football vs the run. Very athletic, he should be a better tackler in the open field. Smith has a habit of dropping his head, not seeing what he’s hitting.
3. FS Adrian Amos 6’0 218 lbs Sr. Penn St. (#108 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40 Time: 4.37 Bench Press: 21 reps Vertical: 35.5′ Broad Jump: 10’2 3 Cone: 7.09 Short Shuttle: 4.03
Career Stats: 49 Games 149 Tackles 7 INT 22 PBU 9 TFL 3 Sacks
Strengths: Amos has 18 starts at CB and 19 at S under his belt. Because of his experience playing CB, Amos can play man to man coverage in the slot as a safety as good or better then any S in the draft. Good athlete, solid tackler well in the open field. Flashes the ability to make smooth drops in zone coverage, open the hips and run to cover deep passes. He also gets out of his backpedal well to drive on the football. Was used as a blitzer from the slot. Not afraid to mix it up
Weaknesses: Amos isn’t afraid to put a hit on you, but he often forgets to wrap up, and guys will bounce off of him, getting additional yards. Has the athleticism, but has limited reps playing CF or the deep halves and quarters as a S. Will be a learning experience.
4. FS James Sample 6’2 210 lbs rSr. Louisville (#126 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40: 4.56 Bench Press: 17 Reps Vertical: 32.5′ Broad Jump: 10’3 3 Cone: 7.04 Short Shuttle: 4.43
Career Stats: 13 Games 90 Tackles 4 INT 9 PBU
Strengths: Sample is a tall, athletic, well put together S prospect. Switched frequently with his teammate Gerod Holliman between playing in the slot, in the box(robber), and single high as the centerfielder. Sample is pretty versatile, can play all over the field. Solid eyes and instincts, he’s always around the football. Has the ability to cover TE’s as well. Was a one year wonder for the Cardinals. Graduated on time, he would have been eligible for a 5th year. Was a reliable tackler.
Weaknesses: Not a heavy tackler, more of a catch and grab guy instead of delivering the blow. Sample is talented, but still raw, not a ton of experience.
5. FS Tevin McDonald 5’11 195 lbs rSr. E. Washington (#137 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40 Time: 4.55 Bench Press: 19 reps Vertical: 33′ Broad Jump: 9’4 3 Cone: 7.01 Short Shuttle: 4.26
Career Stats: 47 Games 256 Tackles 11 TFL 8 INT 8 FF 31 PBU
Strengths: Tevin McDonald is the son of former NFL All Pro safety Tim McDonald, and the younger brother of Rams S T.J. McDonald. He played his first two seasons at UCLA, from 2011-12, was very productive, but was released from the program. McDonald then played his last two years at Eastern Washington, and was pretty good. Big time talent, has good instincts, solid in zone coverage. Played some CF at UCLA and at EW, showing decent range and the speed to drive on the ball and makes plays. Played man to man in the slot decently as well. McDonald, like his father and brother is not afraid of contact, he’s a very willing and able tackler. Will come down in the box and chop down RB’s at the knees.
Weaknesses: Very talented, but has red flags for being dismissed from UCLA. Teams will have to do their homework. He’s aggressive, sometimes too often, will gamble, blowing his assignment, giving up the big play. Tevin broke his leg late in the 2013 season.
6. FS/CB Damarious Randall 5’11 196 lbs rSr. Arizona St. (#140 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40 Time: 4.46 Bench Press: 14 reps Vertical: 38′ 3 Cone: 6.83 Short Shuttle: 4.07
Career Stats: 25 Games 177 Tackles 15 TFL 18 PBU 4 FF 6 INT
Strengths: Randall is a very athletic S, who played CB in JUCO prior to coming to ASU , so Randall is very good at playing the Nickel CB in the slot. Has the speed, agility and athleticism to play man to man inside effectively, along with zone. Some teams are looking at him strictly as a nickel CB more then a S. Adds value with his kick and punt coverage ability on special teams.
Weaknesses: Has the athleticism to play CF as a safety, but is a horrible tackler. I couldn’t trust him as my last line of defense. Not a lot of reps as a CF.
Other FS prospects with draft worthy grades:
7. FS Chris Hackett 6’0 195 lbs rJr. TCU (#155 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
8. FS Gerod Holliman 6’0 216 lbs rJr. Louisville (#163 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
9. FS Nick Perry 6’1 201 lbs rSr. Alabama (#176 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
10. FS Kurtis Drummond 6’1 208 lbs rSr. Michigan St. (#183 on the Big Board) Grade: 5th Round
11. FS Jacob Hagen 6’2 205 lbs Sr. Liberty (#203 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
12. FS Durell Eskridge 6’3 208 lbs rJr. Syracuse (#220 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
13. FS/CB Anthony Jefferson 6’1 198 lbs rSr. UCLA (#247 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
14. FS Detrick Bonner 6’0 207 lbs rSr. Va. Tech (#254 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
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