2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Safeties
Safety: David Rodriguez
1. Vonn Bell – The Ohio State State senior Vonn Bell has had an elevated career as a Buckeye. Bell led the Big Ten with six interceptions as a sophomore and finished with just two his junior season. His speed is something NFL teams should take note of. Bell switched to free safety from cornerback where he was involved in more tackles, ninety two to be exact his sophomore year and with just sixty five his junior year. Bell has blown a few coverages at free safety but it’s nothing you can’t fix.
Vonn Bell is one of the better free safeties coming out of the top five projected players for his position for the draft. His team’s success throughout the years he played shows that he can defend the best. He matched up with Amari Cooper in the college football playoff during the 2014 – 2015 season. Vonn Bell will hopefully be one of the later picks in the first round or early second.
2. Karl Joseph – The most fearful defender in the college backfield before suffering a knee injury after just four games into the season. After a disappointing season he seeks to go early in the second round with his aggressive play style and gritty tackle tactics. Joseph, with his 4.57 forty yard dash speed while staying low and engaging contact, he demolishes the opposing offenders.
His aggressive play style could be a downfall for the Mountaineer senior. It has been said that Joseph lacks in open field tackling which could be a problem. No team wants a guy that can’t handle his own during one on one situations, and that could be crucial. Joseph’s landing in the draft will be based on how quickly he can recover from his knee injury.
3. KelVarae Russell – The questionable KelVarae Russell of the Fighting Irish has on and off battles with his football career through college. Being suspend the season of 2014 for academic dishonesty, Russell managed to return in 2015 and play a good season until the final two games where he broke his right leg. The Irish defensive back Russell has raw talent, his unreal athleticism and excellent hand eye coordination helps him squeeze on the ball mid air. Some cons with his play style are keying in on the quarterback too long and that’s where he loses the receiver. If Russell can to recover from his injury safely he can become something special in the NFL but he’ll have to stay focused and healthy. KelVarae Russell is projected to go third or fourth round in this years draft.
4. Keanu Neal – The six foot junior weighing in at two hundred pounds solid, Keanu Neal, hopes to go in the first round as stated by scouts. The Florida Gator whose physical defense has stood out at his time as a Gator. Neal could be the new addition and perfect fit to the Arizona Cardinals five star defensive backfield. Quick to the ball and with the ability of breaking up passes instantly, Neal has the authority to make a statement in the NFL. Don’t sleep on this guy.
5. Justin Simmons – Justin Simmons of Boston College didn’t miss a beat while playing center field for Boston College. Simmons played an outstanding fifty games while having his time spent on the field. Leading his team in tackles his final year with seventy-six, Simmons’ lengthy play style has made him someone to look out for. He has the ability to break up passes and jump routes. His toughness and ability to make open field tackles with no hesitation is a plus.
There aren’t many weaknesses of Simmons but his size could get to him with his lengthy-ness slowing him down during coverages in the open field.
