NFL Draft 2017 - The Safeties
To wrap up today's coverage, let's review this year's safety class. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, so please share analysis, commentary and gifs of your favorite prospects in the comments section.
Jets Needs: Safeties
Safety is a rare position where the starters and primary back-up from last year are all still on the Jets' roster. However, Marcus Gilchrist is coming off an injury, Calvin Pryor has mostly been a disappointment and Rontez Miles doesn't have much starting experience.
The Jets are presumably keen to get younger at the position, especially if Pryor might not be back for a fifth year. There's some potential difference makers at the top end and some good athletes that could be options later on.
First round prospects
LSU's Jamal Adams and OSU's Malik Hooker have been vying for the top spot in this year's safety rankings.
Adams seems to have secured his position as the top safety prospect in this year's draft, after running an unofficial 4.33 40-yard dash at this pro day. He's probably the most complete safety prospect in this year's class with good coverage skills and an ability to contribute against the run.
The Jets supposedly like Adams, but don't expect him to fall to them at six. Here he shows his coverage skills by making a play against Evan Engram:
After Adams, Hooker is widely regarded as the next best option. Hooker is a little raw and prone to missing tackles, so might be a risk if selected in the top 10. Some of the natural talent teams see in him is evident here though, as he zips around a lineman's block to make a play in the flat: Until recently, Michigan's Jabrill Peppers was also seen as a likely first round pick, but it remains to be seen what effect a dilute sample at the combine will have on his stock. Peppers is a great athlete without an obvious NFL position, but most agree that he's going to be some kind of hybrid safety/LB.Washington's Budda Baker has a chance to sneak into the first round and could be the best scheme fit for the Jets among the top prospects, except maybe for Adams. His ability to cover the slot and his excellent agility mean that he could thrive in a role similar to that which Tyrann Matheiu played for Todd Bowles in Arizona.
Non-first rounders
UConn's Obi Melifonwu is a big hitter who was productive against the run and put up some awesome numbers at the combine that had some teams speculating as to whether he could potentially play cornerback in the pros.
Other probable day two picks include Josh Jones from NC State, Florida's Marcus Maye and Utah's Marcus Williams.
Jones has seen his stock rise recently after having run a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine and can be an effective run defender in the box:
Williams and Maye both posted excellent coverage numbers and were consistent tacklers. Williams also had some good athletic numbers and shows good range on film.Justin Evans from Texas A&M has also seen his stock on the rise and should go in the middle rounds. He posted some nice numbers at his pro day with a 41.5" vertical and a 4.60 40-yard dash.
Alabama's Eddie Jackson could also have been a candidate to be a first down pick had he not been injured. He does a good job of diagnosing plays and staying disciplined: Late round sleepers
Lorenzo Jerome is a small-school prospect from Saint Francis (Pa.) who made a name for himself with four interceptions and a forced fumble in his two all-star game appearances at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and Senior Bowl. He then posted poor numbers at the combine, but with playmaking talent like that, will teams overlook his questionable measurables if he drops into the later rounds?
Two great names for the late rounds are Fish Smithson from Kansas and Weston Steelhammer from Air Force. Whether their play will live up to their name remains to be seen, but they were both productive leaders at their respective teams.
Finally, Ironhead Gallon is a player several teams, including the Jets, are reportedly interested in, because of his high character and explosiveness. He played as a linebacker at Georgia Southern despite being far too small, but was a highly productive tackler and team leader who can hit like a truck and has the athleticism to convert to safety:
Let's have your views in the comments! Who is overrated, who is underrated and who did we not mention that interests you?