2023 S Rankings

Sep 17, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) returns a punt for a touchdown against the UL Monroe Warhawks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

1. Brian Branch Alabama 5’11 ⅝ 190 Jr. He ran a 4.58 40 (bad), ‘34 ½ vertical (average), 10’5 broad (above average), and measured ‘30 ¾ arms (short) with ‘9 ½ hands (average). He was an impact true freshman in 2020 (27 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 7 PBUs, 2 INTs), had a solid year but no splash plays in 2021 (55 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack, 9 PBUs), and then his best year in 2022 (90 tackles, 14 TFL, 3 sacks, 7 PBUs, 2 INT). Brian has been on my radar for years as everytime I watch Alabama I’m interested in this slot corner/safety who is very small but is always in the right spot. He’s been PFF’s #1 rated safety the past two years. He feels like a mix of Minkah Fitzpatrick, as a guy that can cover anyone, and Tyrann Mathieu who is versatile and can make an impact all over the field. I completely understand the analytics of not drafting an undersized safety with mediocre athleticism in the first round but he’s one of the safest prospects in this draft and his versatility that he can play slot corner, outside corner (especially in a zone scheme), FS, SS, or nickel linebacker makes me think he might be worth the overpay. I’d have no issues at all with playing him as an outside corner in a zone heavy scheme like Asante Samuel Jr. has done with the Chargers. His route recognition and playmaking skills would make him a ballhawk at CB in zone. Slot corner/FS is where most teams will play him though as he has elite fluidity and change of direction and will be a great fit against quick slot receivers. Despite his smaller frame, he’s actually a very good blitzer and a smart team using him in the slot will zone blitz him regularly as he’s extremely effective. Alabama sort of figured that out in 2022 and it shows as he basically tripled his TFL and sack totals from the previous year. I love undersized dynamic DBs like him (Buddha, Mathieu, Pitre, Moulden) so it’s no surprise I love Branch but his pure coverage is what sets him apart from those guys. All were physical and versatile playmakers but Branch can also completely lock down guys in coverage, something some of them struggled with at times. He’s the only I’d be completely comfortable with on an island in man coverage, zone would still be his best scheme fit as an outside corner, due to his elite change of direction. Overall Branch is a stud safety as he has the versatility to play anywhere in a secondary, is extremely physical against the run and as a rusher, and he also offers rare lockdown coverage. In a very poor safety class, he’s clearly the #1 safety and I give him a mid 1st grade despite his smaller size as I think he’s going to be a big time playmaker for someone and offers better cover skills than other undersized DBs of recent vintage, almost all of whom became Pro Bowlers I might add 4/13/23.
2. Sydney Brown Illinois 5’9 ¾ 211 Sr. He ran a 4.47 40 (elite), ‘40 ½ vertical (elite), 10’10 broad (elite), and measured ‘31 ½ arms (average) with ‘10 ¼ hands (huge). His 10 inch hands at sub 5’10 is absolutely ridiculous as many 6’5 300 lb OTs don’t have 10 inch hands. He’s an older prospect (23 years old) as he’s 5 years out of HS. He was an impact player as a true freshman in 2018 (55 tackles, 2 TFL, 5 PBUs, 1 INT), improved in 2019 (88 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 PBU, 3 INTs), had a down year in 2020 but only played in 6 games in the Covid season (36 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 FF), was back to normal in 2021 (81 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FF, 3 PBUs), and had his best season as a ballhawk in 2022 (59 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 6 INT-1 TD, 7 PBUs). Sydney is a very short, very stocky guy with elite explosiveness. He’s a very thick DB so initially you think SS but he’s so fast and explosive that I think FS is probably his better fit. He’s the leader of that defense and has been a good player for Illinois for 4 years but stepped it up to a new level in 2022 as a playmaker with 6 INTs and 1 FF after only 4 INTs and 4 INTs in the prior 4 seasons combined. It’s surprising he didn’t have more INTs earlier in his career as he’s a natural playmaker and I really like his instincts. I also love his agility for such a thick guy, usually they are too muscular and are tight, as his change of direction is impressive. It allows him to be a very good man coverage guy and you can see his best film in the 2022 Iowa game as he locked down Sam LaPorta numerous times. At sub 5’10 he’ll be exploited by taller TEs who excel with the box out but smaller TEs who win with speed or routes like LaPorta (Ertz, Pitts, Engram, etc.) will be a great matchup for him. I see high end FS with Brown and think he’ll be in that Jalen Pitre/Antoine Winfield mold as the smaller FS almost CB type with elite athleticism and playmaking skills. Brown is one of my favorite players in this draft as he checks all the boxes (stats, film, Combine numbers) and appears to be one of the safest players in this draft. Someone is going to get a high end starting safety with elite athleticism and very good playmaking skills. Early 2nd round as my #2 S 4/12/23.
3. Ji’Ayir Brown Penn State 5’11 ⅜ 203 Sr. He ran a 4.65 40 (bad), ‘32 ½ vertical (bad), 9’11 broad (below average), and measured ‘31 ¼ arms (average) with ‘10 ⅛ hands (big). He didn’t play in 2019, barely played in 2020 (6 tackles), had a huge first season in 2021 as a playmaker (74 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 5 PBUs, 6 INTs-1 TD), and then another big year in 2022 (75 tackles, 7 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 FF, 3 PBUs, 4 INTs). His 10 INTs the past two seasons is elite production. His Combine was very bad so he’ll drop on draft day and that sets him up to be a possible steal as he has great film as a do everything SS type. In fact some of his best film is as a pass rusher as he is fast and physical against OTs and his 4.5 sacks were not flukey at all. On one rush he juked the RT so bad he fell down (broke his ankles on the crossover) for a very quick sack. On another sack he was a late blitzer and juked the RB so bad he didn’t even lay a hand on him. In coverage he’s a pure zone guy as all of his INTs that I saw came with him being in a zone reacting to the QB in front of him. He has very good instincts and will be good in this role but he doesn’t show the speed or hips to play man so he’s scheme dependent. Zone teams should look his way though as his 10 INTs largely weren’t flukey either (two were thrown terribly right to him but most were him being the over the top help for a CB and making a nice play on the ball). He’s also good against the run and shows very good speed going downhill. He closes on the ball carrier about as well as any safety in this class and is a sure handed tackler. Give me a slower SS type with great instincts in coverage, great film as a sure tackler in space, and with a knack for being a high end pass rusher. That well rounded game should be easy to scheme around as you basically can let him do everything but play man coverage. Overall I think Brown is a highly underrated prospect who should be an early starter. He’ll drop on draft day due to his poor Combine, his lack of scheme versatility, and the fact that he’s only a SS but he’s a well rounded SS that can rush, be a playmaker in zone schemes, and will be a high end run stopper so he is setting up to be a steal for someone in the mid rounds. Late 2nd round as my #3 S 4/12/23 who will probably go later than this and be a steal 4/12/23.
4. Jartavius Martin Illinois 5’11 194 Sr. He ran a 4.46 40 (elite), ‘44 vertical (elite-historic), 11’1 broad (elite-historic), and measured ‘31 ⅛ arms (below average) with ‘9 ¼ hands (average). He’s only 22 years old still but is 5 years out of HS. He was a quality player as a true freshman in 2018 (42 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 3 INT, 3 PBU), had a down year in 2019 (23 tackles, 2 TFL), improved in 2020-only 8 games (38 tackles, 1 FF, 2 PBU), had a good year in 2021 (55 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 INT, 7 PBUs), and a similar year in 2022 (64 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FF, 3 INT, 11 PBUs). The kid had a Top 10 pick type Combine performance and his stats are good and well rounded but aren’t quite up to those elite measurables. He has good hands and makes the pick when he can but he isn’t a true ballhawk. He lacks the instincts and most of his picks were just catching a ball thrown in his area. What he does extremely well though is play multiple positions as Illinois had him at CF, slot CB, outside CB, and even nickel LB at times. He’s very fast for a safety and very physical for a corner. They had him as a slot corner regularly and I’d be okay with that in a scheme where your FS is also your slot corner but I strongly prefer him as a safety over a corner. He has speed and explosiveness but his best film is around the box or reacting to a ball in front of him. In his backpedal he’s late to turn his head to the ball and isn’t a natural playmaker when the ball is in the air so I don’t think CB is great for him despite Illinois giving him a lot of tape in that role. I really like his film as a run stopper as his speed and physicality really show up. He has terrible technique as a tackler though and just pops guys, no wrapping up at all at times, so he’ll need to be coached up but I like his film enough that I’d be okay with him as a SS if a team preferred. FS is probably his best fit and I’d be intrigued with him getting some 1×1 action covering TEs as it could unlock a lot of value for him. He gives off poor man’s Dax Hill vibes, a 1st round pick of the Bengals last year, but isn’t nearly the smooth athlete Dax was. Martin is more choppy but has similar explosiveness and I could see a team grab him in the late 1st due to his Combine numbers. I think that’d be a mistake though as none of his film makes me think ballhawk with Martin. He’ll be a very good starter with great versatility but I don’t see the smooth bend/agility to be a star cover guy or the instincts to be a ballhawk so good starter not playmaker will likely be his role. In fact Illinois considered him their #2 safety so I’d be worried if he was drafted too high. Overall I love the speed, explosiveness, and physicality of Jartavius. He doesn’t quite play up to his elite Combine numbers but he still shows off outstanding athleticism and it gives him a well rounded game which will allow him to play SS or FS in almost any scheme. Unfortunately I don’t see the playmaking skills I want in a high round safety prospect so I think he’ll be a good starter and not a playmaker. Early 3rd round as my #4 S 4/10/23.
5. Jordan Battle Alabama 6’1 209 Jr. He ran a 4.55 40 (above average) and measured ‘32 arms (long) with ‘8 ½ hands (small). He was an okay player in 2019 (30 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 INT), improved in 2020 (66 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 PBUs, 1 INT-1 TD), improved in 2021 (87 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 PBUs, 3 INTs-2 TDs), and then a slightly down year in 2022 (71 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 PBUs, 1 INT). He has 3 career pick sixes. Jordan is a tall, physical safety who excels stopping the run but has been a playmaker on the back end as well. He’s similar to most Alabama DBs in that he’s physical but also tightly built with poor fluidity in his movements. He makes up for it though with very good instincts and diagnoses plays very well. He also is in a system that has him almost always moving forward, which is a huge benefit to him. He doesn’t bend well and he’s long legged so I was expecting to not like his film but he’s a very consistent player who has a good combination of skills. I’d prefer him as a SS but he played basically SS for Alabama in 2021 and then moved to FS, a lot of CF work, in 2022 and was comfortable in both roles. He’s not an ideal CF but if a team plays halves or two high he’d be good and if single high he’d be a good SS. His 5 INTs the past two seasons is good but he often went a decent amount of time without action in Alabama’s defense so he made the most of his opportunities. There aren’t many more experienced safeties than him with 4 years in the SEC in a top program. He’s seen it all and has been a consistent player for them for a long time. He reminds me of a poor man’s Grant Delpit with a tighter body, good physicality, and a penchant for making big plays. He’s really a combo safety as he’ll either be a SS with above average cover skills or a FS with above average physicality. It depends on the scheme but I see solid starter with him. He’s a high floor/low ceiling guy who lacks the ballhawk skills to be a high INT total or the huge hits but he’ll be a consistent starter for someone. Mid 3rd round as my #5 S 4/13/23. 
6. Ronnie Hickman Ohio State 6’0 ½ 203 Sr. He didn’t work out at the Combine but measured ‘33 arms (very long) with ‘9 ⅜ hands. He didn’t play in 2019, barely played in 2020 (5 tackles), had a very nice season in 2021 but with few splash plays (98 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 0 PBU?, 2 INT-1TD), and then a down year in 2022 (53 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 FF, 7 PBU, 1 INT). Ronnie is definitely an NFL athlete as he races around the field and his best film is when he’s going sideline to sideline to make a tackle. He plays like a 4.4 guy and that’s extremely impressive for a 6’0 200 lb safety as he has the size to play SS if you like. Unfortunately he basically didn’t play his first two years at Ohio State and was never a dominant playmaker. His 0 PBUs in 2021 is flat out stunning as every starter should be able to fall ass backwards into at least 3-4 PBUs a year and on film he looks like an athlete who is slow to recognize plays and doesn’t know how to make plays on the ball in the air. I prefer him as a SS than FS due to that but his speed is impressive so if a team gave him more of a run oriented role he might surprise people and be a steal. Also he has great fluidity in his movements and bends very well so there is potential for him to be a playmaker in coverage but his instincts let him down. Instincts matter less in man coverage than zone so he might do well in man coverage schemes and I’d like to see him 1×1 vs. TEs. 2 if his 3 INTs were in the 2nd half of blowout wins vs. Toledo and Akron so hardly impressive stuff. Overall I see the tools and am intrigued but I can’t get too excited on a player that was mediocre in college. His pure athleticism is very intriguing but it’s rare that a player who wasn’t a playmaker in college suddenly becomes one in the NFL. He’s similar to Jartavius Martin in this regard but I like Martin a little more as his Combine numbers were better and his playmaking stats/instincts were a little better. Both have the tools to be a quality SS/FS starter but are roll of the dices due to mediocre production. Mid 3rd as my #6 S 4/12/23.
7. Brandon Joseph Notre Dame 6’0 ⅜ 202 Sr. He ran a 4.62 40 (bad), ‘30 ½ vertical (bad), 9’10 broad (average), and measured ‘30 ⅞ arms (short) with ‘9 hands (below average). He barely played in 2019 for Northwestern (4 tackles), had a great year in 2020 (52 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PBUs, 6 INTs), another great year in 2021 (80 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 4 PBUs, 3 INTs), and then transferred his final year to Notre Dame and had a down year in 2022 (30 tackles, 1 FF, 1 PBU, 1 INT). Brandon might drop on draft day as he’s coming off a down year, had a bad Combine, and his overall athletic makeup is pretty poor. Add in the fact that he’s not a big hitter at all, most won’t want him at SS with his wrap up style, and he very easily could be a late round draft pick. I think that’d be a mistake though as he’s a natural playmaker, shows good film as a ballhawk, and his 10 INTs in 3 years is one of the best in this down safety class. You won’t be getting a big hitting intimidator type and you won’t be getting a 4.3 CF with elite range but if you put Brandon in a two high safety system and let him read a QB he’s going to get you some interceptions. He has good instincts and good hands so his 10 INTs aren’t flukey at all and he has multiple INTs coming from help as a deep safety so he knows how to track a ball on a deep route, something many more athletic players never seem comfortable doing. I also love his fluidity and agility. He isn’t very fast but he has great change of direction and fluidity in all of his movements so I think man coverage would be fine for him if only slower guys (TEs/RBs). He also very clearly was route diagnosing and was good at identifying where the ball was going ahead of the play. I wish he was faster but guys like him are what you are looking for as he is instinctive, reads plays accurately, has a history as a ballhawk, and is a very fluid athlete. In this down year for safeties, give me Brandon Joseph as a mid round sleeper who will surprise as a long time starter despite below average tools to work with. Late 3rd round as my #7 S 4/13/23.
8. Garrett Williams Syracuse 5’11 192 Soph He didn’t work out at the Combine but measured ‘31 arms (below average). He was a really good true freshman in 2020 (64 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 10 PBUs, 2 INT-1 TD), had a big year tackle wise but no INTs in 2021 (52 tackles, 5 TFL, 10 PBUs), and then a good year in only 7 games in 2022 (36 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 3 PBUs, 2 TD). Garrett has been an impact player for Syracuse for all three years and is a CB/FS tweener type that I could see in either spot depending on scheme. He has the size to be an outside corner but doesn’t have elite speed and would need to be in an off coverage or zone scheme. His instincts and ball skills are both very good and he’s extremely quick to diagnose a play in front of him so in a zone scheme he’d be a good corner. In a man scheme I’d probably prefer FS for him as he’s a very physical player, had two seasons with +50 tackles, and has some good film as a ballhawk on the back end. It’s a unique job as it’s a different perspective and some CBs can’t play CF but he’s shown the ability to do it and has some outstanding INTs as a safety. That versatility to play FS or CB is impressive and is due to his instincts and intelligence as he’s a very heady player. My only issue with Garrett is his athletic profile as he’s a smaller player and doesn’t show elite speed or quickness. He’s not a bad athlete but is only an average one and I worry he lacks the length and/or athleticism to stay at CB. Due to this I moved him to FS but consider CB a viable option. I just see more of a safety with him as I love his instincts and physicality far more than his athleticism and fluidity in a backpedal. Wherever he’s played, Garrett will be a cerebral, instictive player who lacks elite athleticism but should be a good playmaker and enough of an athlete to not be exploited. Late 3rd round as my #8 S 4/22/23.
9. Antonio Johnson Texas A&M 6’2 198 Jr. He ran a 4.52 40 (very good), ‘31 vertical (bad), 9’10 broad (average), and measured ‘32 ⅛ arms (above average for S, average for 6’2) with ‘9 ¾ hands (big). He was a bit player in 2020 (14 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU), had a good year in 2021 (79 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 5 PBUs, 1 INT), and a similar year in 2022 (71 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 3 FF, 1 PBU). Antonio is a long SS type who is a big hitter and excels against the run. He’s one of the bigger hitters in this safety class but he’s also the worst of any prospect in wrapping up and is far too interested in making the highlight reel hit than the sure tackle. His mentality will need to change in the pros but he’s fast, physical, and has a lot of good film as a run stopper so he should excel in that role. Against the pass I’m a little worried as he’s long legged and a little tight. Moving forward he gets away with his long legged movements as he’s very fast and closes quickly on guys but in his backpedal it’s more noticeable and a little worrisome. I don’t think he can play man so he’ll need to be in a zone scheme. In that scheme he should be good but he’ll be a hitter not a playmaker, as evidenced by only 1 INT and 7 PBUs for his entire career. Those are very poor numbers and I don’t see him being anything more than average vs. the pass, even in zone. Due to those deficiencies, #3 safety seems like the most logical fit as he’d be a great nickel linebacker and has film excelling as a rusher and battling OL to make tackles. He’s so athletic and physical I suspect he’ll get drafted higher my ranking and be a starter early in his career but he has a lot of bad tape vs. the pass and probably settles in as a #3 safety later in his career. If used correctly, he could be an above average starter but in today’s pass happy NFL it’s hard to hide DBs who lack man coverage skills and/or instincts and I see neither in him. Early 4th round as my #9 S 4/13/23.
10. Kelee Ringo Georgia 6’1 ¾ 207 Jr. He ran a 4.36 40 (elite), ‘33 ½ vertical (bad), 10’2 broad (bad), and measured ‘31 ¼ arms (average, short for a guy almost 6’2). He redshirted in 2020, had a good year in 2021 (34 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 8 PBUs, 2 INTs-1 TD), and then his best year in 2022 (42 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 FF, 7 PBUs, 2 INTs). Ringo is another Georgia defender with elite Combine measurables which do not translate to the field. He’s a CB/FS tweener as he plays more in the high 4.4/low 4.5 range and I do not see anything close to a 4.36 40 with him. Press teams will like his big frame but will wish he had longer arms and a little more speed and quickness. Other teams will see him more as a FS type who can come down and play the slot or cover a TE in man coverage. I prefer him as a FS in that role as he’s a little tight in the hips, lacks great speed, and doesn’t have great length so despite being nearly 6’2 210 he’s not ideal for press. In run support he’s good but not great, something that is more worrisome at safety than corner, but he shows good effort and is okay in this area. He’s a little weak overall for a “big corner” and I was expecting more physicality. 3 TFL and 1 FF in two seasons (30 games too as Georgia had the longest schedule of any team the past few years) shows this as he just isn’t a big corner mentality wise. In coverage he’s a little slow both on reaction times and burst/speed wise. He sometimes jumps routes and shows ball skills but more often than not he’s reacting and not diagnosing plays. I do love his hands though and if he has an INT potentially in his area he has shown a good ability to come down with the ball. If playing FS he won’t have the speed to play CF so he’ll need to be in a scheme that plays a lot of man. He had a much heralded matchup vs. Ohio State and got Marvin Harrison regularly. He did have a very good FF coming back into a play as a trail defender but overall he looked mediocre. He showed the size to play vs. Harrison but couldn’t keep up with him quickness/routes wise and I think he’d be exploited as a pure corner. He gave up 1 TD and 1 PI to Harrison and almost allowed 3 TDs (Harrison dropped a diving catch in the end zone, another TD broken up by the safety). Ringo also has a penchant for being grabby and I’d expect him to be a highly penalized CB if put in that role, another reason why he’s a safety to me. Overall I am not a fan of Ringo’s tape, think his Combine measurables do not translate to the field, and consider him another highly overrated Georgia defender. I think a press team taking Ringo in the first 50 picks as a CB will be very disappointed to find he’s slow, has shorter arms, is grabby, and isn’t the most fluid of athletes. I think if he was in a different jersey he’d be a mid round guy but as a bulldog he’s getting 1st round buzz. Early 4th round as my #10 S who I consider one of the most overrated prospects in this draft 4/23/23.
11. Christopher Smith Georgia 5’10 ⅝ 192 Sr. He ran a 4.62 40 (below average), ‘33 vertical (below average), 9’8 broad (below average), and measured ‘31 ⅛ arms (short) with ‘9 ⅝ hands (average). 5 years out of HS so he’s an older prospect. He barely played in 2018 (4 tackles) or 2019 (7 tackles), was a bit player in 2020 (26 tackles, 1 PBU), made his first splash plays in 2021 (34 tackles, 4 PBUs, 3 INT-1TD), and had his best season in 2022 (61 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 5 PBUs, 3 INTs). Smith is a shorter, somewhat skinny FS type. He was basically invisible at Georgia his first three years but he had 6 INTs, one being a big pick six vs. Clemson, the final two years and shows some instincts and playmaking ability on the back end. He has some good film as a sure tackler in space but he’s a little weak and I worry he’ll have a number of broken tackles allowed in the NFL against bigger athletes. He’s definitely only a FS as he lacks the strength to play in the box full time or the speed/hips to play CB. Georgia played predominantly a two high defense and he was solid in that role but not spectacular. I actually saw freshman Malaki Starks (#24) as their best safety as he flashed real ballhawk skills Smith never has shown. His best film was vs. Oregon early in the year as he jumped a route and showed good instincts. It was a very nice play but he also missed a tackle or two, was called for a horse collar (struggled to bring down a bigger player), and on his pick the QB threw into triple coverage. I see Smith as a #3 S who maybe can start down the line but his ceiling is that of a replacement level safety and his lack of scheme or position versatility (must play FS, can’t play CF) is worrisome. I expect him to be overdrafted due to him coming from Georgia but I don’t see great speed, he’s pretty weak as a tackler, and he’s a good but not great playmaker so I’d be concerned if a team drafted him before Day 3. Mid 4th round as my #11 S 4/12/23. 
12. Trey Dean III Florida 6’2 ⅛ 200 Sr. He ran a 4.75 40 (terrible), ‘36 ½ vertical (good), 10’4 broad (good), and measured ‘31 ¾ arms (average) with ‘9 ¼ hands (average). He came in and performed like a very slow SS type. He’s 5 years out of HS so he’s an older prospect. He played a bit as a true freshman in 2018 (26 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 6 PBUs, 1 INT), improved in 2019 (26 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FF, 1 PBU, 1 INT), had fewer splash plays in 2020 (34 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT), had a big year in 2021 (91 tackles, 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 9 PBUs, 1 INT), and a similar year in 2022 (81 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 4 PBUs). Trey is a tall, skinny SS type who looks rangy with his lengthy frame. He’s a big hitter who excels as a run stopper and will need to play near the LOS. His frame is so good and his speed is so mediocre that I’d consider bulking him up 15 lbs and seeing how he’d look as a 4-3 WLB. In coverage he actually has good instincts and short area quickness but he’s slow so he’ll need to be in a zone scheme and even in that scheme he’ll need some help. I could see a team like him as their #3 safety if they do a 3 safety nickel package but some teams will cross him off their board due to highly questionable coverage skills. He can’t play CF and he’s long legged so he’s a bad fit for man coverage. Add in his very bad 4.75 40 and he has a chance to go undrafted despite good film and production. His saving grace in coverage is that he actually shows good instincts and playmaking ability. He’s quicker than fast and breaks on the ball very well so I think he’ll hold up well in a zone scheme. Overall I like Dean as a mid to late round SS type who can be a team’s 3rd safety. If a team plays zone he could eventually develop into a starter but his best fit will be as a nickel safety that almost plays linebacker as he’s physical and has good film as a tackler in the open field. He also shows enough instincts, bend, and playmaking ability that I think he’d be good in a zone scheme but he has poor speed and won’t be a fit for a man heavy scheme or one that wants CF duties for their safeties. 5th round as my #12 S 4/12/23.
13. Anthony Johnson Iowa State 6’0 205 Sr. He ran a 4.54 40 (good), ‘37 ½ vertical (very good), 10’5 broad (very good), and measured ‘31 ¼ arms (average) with ‘8 ¾ hands (small). He’s 5 years out of HS so he’s an older prospect. He was a bit player in 2018 (28 tackles, 1 TFL), had a great year in 2019 (60 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 10 PBUs), a down year in 2020 (40 tackles, 2 TFL, 5 PBUs), a bounce back year in 2021 (55 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FF, 4 PBUs), and then arguably his best year in 2022 (60 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 4 PBUs, 2 INTs). He basically had two great seasons (2019 and 2022) sandwiched around two mediocre seasons. His 0 INTs two of the past four seasons is worrisome. Iowa State ran a unique defense that regularly had 3 safeties on the back end and allowed Johnson to have limited coverage responsibilities. That was a good scheme for him as he didn’t look instinctive at all when he was in coverage. He has an NFL frame and athleticism but he was picked on at times in the 2022 Texas game. That’s worrisome as I think he needs to be a FS since his tackling is very mediocre. He has SS type measurements but he doesn’t play like he’s 205 and he really struggled to tackle Bijan Robinson. Not the easiest tackle but I didn’t see any big hits or physicality in his film so I’d say he’s a FS and one with questionable man cover skills. Whether he’s a soft SS or a FS with issues in coverage, I’m not terribly interested so to me he’s a late round dart throw due to the NFL frame and athleticism. I’m expecting him to be a career backup or bust but give him a draftable grade due to the frame/athletic numbers as he is a fluid athlete for 205 lbs. Late 5th round as my #13 S 4/13/23.
14. Jammie Robinson Florida State 5’10 ⅝ 191 Sr. He ran a 4.59 40 (average), ‘33 ½ vertical (below average), 9’8 broad (below average), and measured ‘29 ⅝ arms (extremely short, sub ‘30 is borderline historic) with ‘8 ¾ hands (small). He’s a very tiny guy who is 5’10 but his arms and hands are of a 5’7 guy. Add in his poor 40/vertical/broad jump and he had an undrafted free agent type Combine. He was very solid as a freshman in 2019 (62 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 FF, 4 PBU, 1 INT), improved in 2020 (74 tackles, 2 TFL, 4 PBUs, 1 INT), continued his improvement in 2021 (84 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 FF, 3 PBUs, 4 INTs), and then had a similar year but with fewer splash plays in 2022 (99 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sacks, 5 PBUs, 1 INT). Pronounces Jamie not Jammy, Robinson is a very small kid who is as physical as he can be with that tiny frame. He looks like an undersized slot corner so I question how many teams will feel comfortable putting him out there at safety. His size/speed ratio is undraftable but he’s a natural playmaker, started 4 years at a top program, and had 7 INTs and 3 FFs in his career. The best way for him to be successful would be as a FS that can cover the slot but that’s not his strength as he’s more of a run stopper than pass defender. He has good instincts reading screens and knowing where the ball is going but he’s too small for that nickel LB role in the pros. There’s also a lot of film of him really struggling to bring down a ball carrier and that will only get worse in the pros. I like his film but to me he’s a good college player that won’t make the transition as his style makes his size/speed ratio even more glaring. If he was more of a ballhawk I’d give him a chance but he’s best in the box and you don’t draft a glorified slot corner to be in the box. Free Agent as my #14 S who I see as a bust due to his poor size/speed ratio and inability to play man coverage 4/12/23.