Welcome to draft season! This is the fifth of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (April 23-25). Here are Eddie Brown’s top 10 safeties:
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1. Antoine Winfield Jr. (So., Minnesota, 5-foot-9, 203 pounds)
A chip off the ol’ block (his father was a pro bowler), Winfield is an opportunistic playmaker with elite ball skills and a high football IQ. Only three FBS players had more than his seven interceptions in 2019. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
2. Xavier McKinney (Jr., Alabama, 6-0, 201)
McKinney is an alpha playmaker who can handle every position in the defensive backfield. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
3. Grant Delpit (Jr., LSU, 6-2, 213)
Delpit won the 2019 Thorpe Award (nation’s top defensive back) on reputation alone. Various injuries clearly hindered his play last season. There’s All-Pro potential if he returns to his 2018 form. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
4. Ashtyn Davis (Sr., California, 6-1, 202)
The rare dual-sport walk-on in college (football and track), Davis is fearless and relentless on the football field. He’ll have to control his overaggressive nature in the NFL. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round
5. Kyle Dugger (Sr., Lenoir-Rhyne, 6-1, 217)
Dugger won the 2019 Cliff Harris Award (the Division II Defensive Player of the Year). He averaged 13.9 yards per punt return with six touchdowns during his collegiate career. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round
6. Jeremy Chinn (Sr., Southern Illinois, 6-3, 221)
Chinn is a poor man’s Isaiah Simmons. His uncle is Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round
7. Terrell Burgess (Sr., Utah, 5-11, 202)
The San Marcos native has a nose for the ball and the range to handle all of his coverage responsibilities. Burgess could be a core special teamer early. Projected: 3rd or 4th round
8. Antoine Brooks Jr. (Sr., Maryland, 5-11, 220)
Brooks is a thumper in run support and will carry special teams value. Projected: 3rd to 5th round
9. J.R. Reed (Sr., Georgia, 6-1, 202)
NFL pedigree (father is former Viking receiver Jake Reed; uncle is former Chiefs cornerback Dale Carter) and finalist for the 2019 Thorpe Award. Projected: 3rd to 5th round
10. Brandon Jones (Sr., Texas, 5-11, 198)
Jones lacks ideal size, but he wins with athleticism and toughness and can play both safety positions. Projected: 3rd to 5th round
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BONUS. Alohi Gilman (Jr., Notre Dame, 5-10, 201)
Gilman is more effective closer to the line of scrimmage. He set a Notre Dame single-game record with 19 tackles as a sophomore (vs. Clemson). Projected: 4th to 6th round
BONUS. Julian Blackmon (Sr., Utah, 6-0, 187)
Blackmon excelled at both cornerback (four interceptions in 2017) and strong safety (four interceptions in 2019) for the Utes. Projected: 5th to 7th round
BONUS. L’Jarius Sneed (Sr., Louisiana Tech, 6-0, 192)
Sneed returned at least one interception for a touchdown in three of his four seasons. No FBS player had more over that time period. Projected: 5th to 7th round
BONUS. K’Von Wallace (Sr., Clemson, 5-11, 206)
Wallace is a three-year starter (and team captain) who is built like a cornerback, but plays like a safety with elite awareness. Projected: 5th to 7th round
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