NFP Senior Free Safety Breakdown

FROM WES BUNTING:

The free safety position in the NFL continues to evolve as we see more and more physically imposing athletes man the spot. Defenses are now asking free safeties to not only cover, but also to play in the box and tackle. As a result, we’re seeing bigger prospects each year, an attribute that will take center stage in the 2010 FS class.

Click HERE to check out the rest of the NFP’s Senior rankings.

Here’s our first look at the 2010 senior free safety class,

The Top Three

Taylor Mays, USC (6-3, 230)

Mays is a strapping free safety prospect who exhibits a rare combination of size and speed for the position. He combines the frame and power of an outside linebacker with the burst and closing speed of a cornerback. Mays is undeniably the nation’s top senior safety prospect, and his blend of size, speed and athletic ability should ultimately land him a spot somewhere in the top 10 next April. He’s a ferocious hitter who plays with reckless abandon and knows how to intimidate receivers over the middle of the field. Additionally, he showcases great burst and closing speed playing the center field-type role and does a nice job using his range to make plays on the football. He does get a bit leggy at times, especially when asked to change directions in space, but he’s a smart kid with good instincts and diagnoses plays quickly. Overall, Mays possesses a rare athletic and physical skill set for the position and should make an immediate impact in the NFL.

Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech (6-4, 226)

Chancellor is another king-sized college free safety who will most likely be asked to make the transition to strong safety in the NFL, a position that better fits his overall skill set. Chancellor is vicious hitter over the middle and does a great job reading and reacting to plays in space. He’s very patient in his drop, quickly diagnoses run/pass keys and explodes toward the ball. He’s a good straight-line athlete with the closing speed to make plays away from his frame and consistently get after the football. He also does a nice job breaking down in space and taking the correct angles toward the ball. Although he’s a natural bender who plays with good flexibility, Chancellor at times will struggle with his lateral quickness and change-of-directions skills because of his height. However, a move to strong safety in the NFL should help mask some of his decencies, as he certainly displays the skill set needed to develop into a very good pro.

Antonio Baker, Louisiana Tech (5-11, 200)

Baker has been one of the more productive safeties in the nation over the past two years, recording 233 total tackles and six interceptions during that span. He has a nose for the ball and consistently puts himself in position to make plays. He’s a smooth, polished athlete who showcases the footwork, balance and body control to consistently change directions in space and get after the ball. He does a nice job staying low in his backpedal and demonstrates the first step and range to make plays all over the field. Additionally, he possesses a thickly built frame and does a great job attacking the line of scrimmage and making plays vs. the run. He showcases the power to tackle in a phone booth, as well as the coordination to wrap up in the open field. Baker is one of those guys who would be on everyone’s radar if he went to a bigger school, but his talents won’t go unnoticed by NFL scouts. I expect him to warrant a first-day pick.

The Next Two

Nate Allen, South Florida (6-2, 205)

Allen is a talented defensive back who will anchor the South Florida secondary for the third consecutive season. He’s a tough, well-built free safety who plays with natural bend and fluidity in space. He lacks ideal straight-line speed for the position and isn’t the most explosive of athletes, but he does a nice job transitioning out of his breaks and playing in the open field. Allen, a former high school quarterback who was recruited by South Florida simply as an “athlete,” has made a seamless transition to the defensive secondary and possesses some of the best ball skills of any DB in the country. He does a great job reading and reacting to plays in the center field-type role and consistently is able to get his hands on the ball. He possesses the size and power to possibly make the move to strong safety and will offer NFL teams a lot of versatility in the defensive secondary. He’s a natural football player who looks comfortable in all aspects of the game. 

Jordan Lake, Baylor (6-1, 210)

A smart, hard-hitting safety who’s been the backbone of the Baylor defense the past two years. Lake finished the 2008 season with 97 total tackles, three interceptions and seven pass break-ups and consistently found ways to make plays on all levels of the field. He isn’t the most gifted athlete as he lacks great top-end speed and overall range for the position. However, he’s an instinctive kid who is always flowing toward the ball and consistently makes the correct reads in coverage. He’s a fluid defender who showcases good polish and technique in his drop and knows how to get out of his breaks cleanly and attack the football. Lake is also a strong downhill tackler who breaks down well in space and knows how to wrap up on the ball carrier. He’s a guy who will never be a star at the next level, but because of his technique, instincts and ball skills, he’ll find a way to produce in an NFL secondary.

The Rest

Robert Vaughn, Connecticut (6-0 189)

An undersized free safety prospect with great range and ball skills.

Danny McCray, LSU (6-1 212)

Played well as the team’s nickel back in 2008 and will likely assume a starting role in 2009. He possesses an intriguing skill set with good power and athletic ability for the FS position.

Anderson Russell, Ohio State (6-0, 205)

A tough, experienced safety prospect who plays with reckless abandon and will add some versatility to an NFL secondary.

Van Eskridge, East Carolina (6-0, 200)

A productive defensive back who leads one of the stingiest defenses in the nation. However, he plays at only one speed and struggles making up for a false step.

Brad Phillips, Northwestern (6-4, 210)

A massive, hard-hitting safety prospect who loves to attack the line of scrimmage and destroy ball carriers.

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