NFL Draft Safety Rankings 2021: From The College Perspective

Which safeties will matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?

2. Jevon Holland, Oregon

Size: 6-1, 207

The Good: Extremely fast and extremely producing, he made 108 tackles with nine interceptions in his first two years before opting out of the 2020 season.

It’s a good problem to have when you have NFL corner speed and skills despite being a safety. If absolutely needed, he could be moved to the outside, but that’s not going to be his job.

He knows how to get to the ball and will win more than his share of 50/50 battles, and even though he’s not a thumper, he’ll tackle. He’s good enough in the open field to make the play, even if he’s not bringing the hammer.

The Not-So-Good: Is he a tweener? He’s got sub-4.5 speed and the toughness to hold up against the run, but he doesn’t necessarily have an exact role if he’s not making things happen on the move. There isn’t going to be the pop you might want from a safety who’ll be expected to star.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Just stick him at free safety or in space in the middle of the field and let him go do what he does to get the ball. Find others to come up and bang against the run. In today’s NFL you want smart veterans who can cover and make things happen against the high-powered passing games. You want as many of him on the field as possible on third downs.

Projected Round: Second

NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Safety Rankings No. 1