Category: Safeties

2020 NFL draft: Ashtyn Davis scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about California safety prospect Ashtyn Davis

Ashtyn Davis | Safety | California

Elevator Pitch

Ashtyn Davis has all the makings of a ballhawk at the next level, but unlike most of those types, he can punish you with his physicality. A player who can line up in a multitude of spots on the field. He will likely need to add 10-15 pounds but can make an immediate impact on a defense. His medical re-check will be key following his offseason surgery.

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 202

Class | Senior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

Speed for days. There is no question that Davis is fast. Had he ran at the combine, he would have challenged Javelin Guidry for the top speed among defensive backs. According to DraftScout.com, Davis high 40 time is 4.28 and low of 4.39 which would put him right at the top. When watching Davis roam the backfield, his speed shows up on film.

One aspect of his game that will help him at the next level is position flex, Davis was recruited to Cal as a cornerback that made the move to safety. Teams can ask him to play single-high or come up to cover a back, tight end or slot receiver. When needing to come up to make a play from the defensive backfield, shows off a quick trigger in getting downhill.

While Davis might be relatively green when it comes to playing the game, one trait you can’t teach is his ability to find the ball and make a play. It is one thing to get into place and another to come away with the ball. Davis is aggressive at the catch point which results in passed deflected or an interception. Can make the athletic play to snag balls before they hit the turf.

Weaknesses

While you love the physicality that Davis plays with, his game built on reckless abandonment can be troublesome. The Cal safety will need to focus on playing more under control and wrapping up his opponents. By flying to the ball, Davis can come in hot and off balance causing poor tackle attempts.

When playing near the LOS, Davis can take poor angles. This could very well be a byproduct of not playing football until his sophomore year of high school. As Ashtyn gets more familiar with film study and tendencies, that part of his game should improve.

Projection: Day 2

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2020 NFL draft: Isaiah Simmons scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons

Isaiah Simmons | LB/S | Clemson

Height | 6-4

Weight | 230

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for physical tools, you’ll find plenty of them with Simmons.

A lengthy defender with the height of an edge rusher, the speed of a defensive back and the physicality of a linebacker, Simmons is a mismatch wherever you put him on the field. He has fantastic straight-line speed for the linebacker position, as well as the fluidity in space to beat ball-carriers to the edge on outside-zone runs and excel in coverage. His sideline-to-sideline range as a tackler is arguably the best in the 2020 draft class, and when he plays at full speed, he’s essentially unstoppable.

NFL teams will love coming up with ways to utilize Simmons in their defensive scheme. Having taken significant snaps as a linebacker, deep safety, nickel cornerback and an edge rusher in Clemson’s defense, he has experience almost everywhere on the field. He can accelerate very well coming out of his breaks in coverage, and he has the deep speed to keep up with most offensive players when lined up in man. His size-speed combination will make him a tough player for opposing offenses to plan for in the pros.

Weaknesses

As athletic as Simmons is, there are times where he doesn’t get full use out of that athleticism because of developing processing abilities.

His instincts could use some improvement, as he can look lost when playing up on the line of scrimmage at times. He can also be a bit too aggressive on option plays, and he can be a split second too late on reading the quarterback’s eyes and making a jump on the ball in zone coverage.

Simmons can also get a little bit better at disengaging from blocks as a blitzer, and his form as a tackler can slip away from the acceptable norm at times. Otherwise, there aren’t many pressing needs in his skill set.

Bottom Line

An athletic freak of nature with unparalleled versatility and a sky-high ceiling, Simmons is a special prospect who differs from essentially every other top linebacker prospect to enter the draft in recent years. He should be one of the first defenders drafted come April.

Projection: Top 10

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2020 NFL draft: Antoine Winfield, Jr. scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield, Jr.

Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota

Height | 5-10

Weight | 205

College Bio

College Stats

Right now, all my focus is on Auburn, just for the bowl game. So, any decision that I will make will probably be after the bowl game.” -Winfield, Jr. to Twin Cities Pioneer Press on turning pro

Strengths

If the name Antoine Winfield sounds familiar to you, it should. Winfield, Jr. is the son of former Buffalo Bill and Minnesota Viking Antoine Winfield. It wasn’t that long ago that he was roaming the secondary on NFL fields. The son of the former Jim Thorpe Award winner however isn’t living off the legacy of his dad, he is quite the ballhawk himself.

The redshirt sophomore may be undersized in terms of what current front offices want but don’t let his stature confuse you, there is a lot of fight in Winfield. With his smaller compact frame, Winfield isn’t afraid to lay the wood on ball carriers where he can deliver ball separating hits. Very sound tackler at the collegiate level with over 80 combined tackles this season.

Ball skills. Ball skills. Ball skills. When you watch him roam the secondary there is no question that Winfield has all the traits you want at safety. He did secure a few balls on tip drills for interceptions but it was his ball tracking that really stands out. Uses his tracking skills to get in prime position to bring down the ball or force an incompletion. Even against taller receivers, Winfield will climb the ladder to make the play. Even when you don’t think he is anywhere near position to make a play he flies to the ball. His ability to click and close can’t be understated.

Weaknesses

There are really only two knocks to his game that I believe will hurt his draft stock. Winfield being a bit undersized might be a deterrent for some defensive coaches and schemes. With some teams deploying big slots (tight ends), he could struggle with the size and power.

Also the fact that he has been injured for two of his four seasons at Minnesota. That could be a red flag for some teams but the interview process will be key.

The other is the fact that Winfield really only has one season of big time production. This season he has been huge and teams should focus on the traits and less so about his production at the college level.

Bottom Line

Winfield could very well return to Minnesota in 2020 with two years of eligibility left due to being granted medical redshirts. Should he declare, he is the type of player that can make an impact.

Projection: Late Day 2

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2020 NFL Draft: Xavier McKinney Scouting Report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Alabama safety Xavier McKinney

Xavier McKinney | Safety | Alabama

Height | 6-1

Weight | 200

College Bio

Career Stats

Strengths

Big shocker of the day, the Alabama Crimson Tide have yet another safety that could be a top draft prospect in this year’s class.

McKinney is another safety that is often spoken of in the same breath as Grant Delpit. Both safeties will be highly coveted in this year’s class. McKinney is more of the cover safety, in fact he spent some time in the nickel corner role last season due to injury. He excels in coverage with two interceptions during his sophomore year and 10 passes defended. This year back in his more natural role, McKinney added three more picks, five passes defended and four forced fumbles.

McKinney has good reactions when playing in coverage. He can close quickly when coming downhill. He will be a solid tackler at the next level because he rarely whiffs on tackle attempts. He is very much a swiss army knife in that he does a little bit of everything. He can play coverage, blitz off the edge with success or be an extra body in the box in run defense. Well rounded and seems to do everything well.

Weaknesses

While Xavier McKinney does a lot of things well he isn’t a player you want to leave one on one in coverage too often. He can get burned by his over aggressiveness in coverage. Doesn’t have elite athleticism to play center fielder as a single high safety but does enough to get the job done.

There aren’t many things that McKinney needs to improve upon. He does need to be more refined in his tackling technique as he can come in too high at times.

Bottom Line

Xavier McKinney is a top two safety in this class with his ability to play all over the defense. Some have referred to him as a poor man’s Minkah Fitzpatrick. Maybe it is the crimson jersey that he wears on Saturdays, but definitely see that in his game.

Projection: Top 40

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2020 NFL draft: Grant Delpit scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about LSU safety Grant Delpit

Grant Delpit | S| LSU

Height | 6-3

Weight | 203

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Delpit wins getting off the bus. He has the size you want at safety with the ability to make an immediate impact.

With most defensive backs in the NFL being sub 6’1″, Delpit stands above that. He has the physical profile to make an impact at safety in the NFL. With some physical runners and pass catchers he won’t be a player who backs down in the defensive backfield.

To be a safety at the next level, you need to come downhill quickly. Delpit shows the ability to click and close from a variety of spots on the field. His quick reaction doesn’t allowing ball carriers the ability to make many explosive plays when he is patrolling the middle of the field. Range isn’t a question for Delpit.

He can rush the passer with great success on blitzes around the edge. He flies to the quarterback, as Delpit showed in the SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Despite the lower numbers than a season ago, Delpit can create turnovers with his ball skills.

Weaknesses

Delpit is one of the best all-around safeties in this class, but if there is one area above others that he needs to improve it is as a tackler. Delpit can get caught up trying to be an arm tackler instead of sizing up a ball carrier and exploding through him. He has the physical profile and needs to use that size and frame as an advantage.

Technique is where Delpit needs to focus at the next level. Not only with tackling but in coverage. He won’t have trouble picking up the ball in zone coverage but when trying to locate the ball in turn and run coverage, he at times can get beat.

He will need to work on disengaging from blocks as well at the next level. To be one of the top safeties at the next level, Delpit will need to get off his blocks at a more consistent rate.

Bottom Line

Grant Delpit will most likely be the first safety off the board come April. He didn’t have the best year following up his 2018 campaign that put him on the map. Hampered by injuries, his 2019 season alone shouldn’t be a reason to lower him on many draft boards.

Projection: Top 20

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