Alright Steelers fans, for this week’s draft preview we’re going to take a look at the safety position. Being fans of a team that had the best safety in NFL history in Troy Polamalu, we take this position very seriously. Instincts, speed, toughness, and the ability to deliver a jarring hit or jump in front of a pass and take it the other way to the house- that’s what we’re looking for. Is that player in this draft class? Only time will tell but let’s look at some of the top prospects.
Caleb Downs, 6’0” 206lbs, Ohio State
Strengths
-Play recognition; diagnose plays quickly and put himself in a position to make a play
-Good tackler who wraps up and drives through ball carrier
-Excellent body control with the ability to cover slot receivers and tight ends
-Special teams/Return ability
-Comes from a football family; father and uncle played in the NFL
Weaknesses
-Good but not elite speed
-Needs to get better at shedding blocks
-Can get caught by play action and looking to make a play on the run
Projection: For weeks into the college football season, Caleb Downs was considered the top overall prospect in this year’s draft class. He possesses a very high football IQ, diagnoses plays quickly, and communicates well. Downs is a field general and a leader in the locker room. He also has return ability. Some reports have been made about health issues although I don’t recall hearing any of this before which makes me wonder if it is all draft smoke. Downs will definitely be drafted in the first round and should be the first at his position.
Dillon Thienemen, 6’0” 201lbs, Oregon
Strengths
-Production in High School and College speaks for itself
-Great range; can cover ground in a hurry
-Excellent cover safety; reads the quarterback’s eyes to get a jump on the ball
-Experience at free safety, strong safety, and nickel
-Obsessive preparation and film study
Weaknesses
-Agility and change of direction not as good as straight line speed
-Can have trouble with bigger bodied players
-Will get engulfed by big blockers
-At times will over-pursue and take a bad angle
Projection: Oh what a difference a combine makes! Dillon Thienemen was rated behind a couple of the other safety prospects to start the draft process but then ran a 4.35 40-yard dashed and things changed quickly. Initially I had hoped he would be a consideration for the Steelers in round 2, and now he may not make it to them in round 1! An easy way to describe Thienemen is he’s a workhorse. His preparation, film study, and effort on the field are what sets him apart.
AJ Haulcy, 6’0” 215lbs, LSU
Strengths
-Plays football in the air like a receiver
-Dense, well-muscled frame will help adjust to long season
-Is a punisher and hits like a truck
-Strong player that is adept to shedding blocks to keep pursuit
Weaknesses
-Due to size, not particularly shifty
-Lacks top end and recovery speed
-Will sometimes look for highlight hit instead of form tackle
-Nuanced route runners will give him problems
Projection: AJ Haulcy is an old school type of safety. He’s big, strong, and an enforcer over the middle. He definitely does not shy away from big collisions. He already has the build to hold up in the pros over a long season. Haulcy is not the type of safety to cover slot receivers, as smaller, quicker receivers will give him problems. When covering larger receivers, he plays the ball in the air and will come away with interceptions. He also has good instincts which masks some of his lack of elite speed.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, 6’4” 201lbs, Toledo
Strengths
-Rare size and length at the safety position at 6’4” and 32” arms
-Enforcer over the middle
-Tough in run support and fills gaps with bad intentions
-Looks to strip/punch ball when tackling to force fumbles
Weaknesses
-Not efficient in coverage against quick and polished wide receivers
-Did not perform as well at NFL Combine as expected
-Will have trouble with vertical speed
-Tall but lean frame enables blockers to gain leverage
Projection: McNeil-Warren is a physically gifted safety with rare size for the position. He is a hard hitter and is tough in run defense, looking to cause havoc in the backfield. He has good instincts and uses his size well. McNeil-Warren is best when used near the line of scrimmage. He matches up well with tight ends and in the run game, but there is concern with how he will hold up against NFL-caliber receivers as that is a huge jump in talent from what he saw at Toledo. Early to mid second round prospect.
Kamari Ramsey, 6’0” 202lbs USC
Strengths
-Great in coverage; ability to read and react to QB’s eyes
-Experience in free and strong safety as well as in nickel
-Processes routes quickly and gets to the ball
-Bats at the ball at catch point to disrupt focus
-Has special teams experience and can contribute immediately
Weaknesses
-Despite coverage ability does not play ball for INT
-Liability in run defense
-Not a great tackler in space
-Has an injury history
Projection: Kamari Ramsey is somewhat difficult to analyze from a draft perspective. He is good in coverage and had good instincts. He puts himself in a position to make plays, which should result in him having more interceptions than he does. Ramsey isn’t a great tackler and is somewhat of a liability in run support. It’s almost as if he has the instincts of a corner back but not the athletic ability. However in the right system and with the right coaching he could shine. I would not be shocked if he was drafted as high as the second round or as late as the fourth.
Other Safeties to consider: Genesis Smith, Zakee Wheatley, Bud Clark
