Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Philadelphia Eagles address major needs in Mel Kiper, Todd McShay’s alternating 3-round mock draft for ESPN
Round one of the 2022 NFL Draft will kick off in nine days with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the clock and most experts unsure of who the pick will be.
Philadelphia has five picks in the first three rounds and the team will have an opportunity to add dynamic talent at several key positions.
With a little over one week of preparation remaining, ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay combined for an alternating three-round mock draft that had the Eagles addressing several major needs.
Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar concludes our positional rankings with the top 11 safeties in the 2022 NFL draft.
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What the NFL expects from its safeties has changed drastically over the last decade. There are multiple reasons for this.
Think about the need for a true shutdown post safety in predominantly single-high coverage. A decade ago, when Seattle’s Legion of Boom defense was the desired template, you were playing heavy press underneath with defined box and post safeties. The Seahawks were able to do this because they had a dominant press cornerback (Richard Sherman), a dominant box safety (Kam Chancellor), and the best post safety of his era (Earl Thomas).
That’s not an easy archetype to copy, because you obviously have to hit on multiple generational players at crucial positions that all teams desperately desire. Your hit rate is reduced by the scarcity of human beings who can do what Sherman, Chancellor, and Thomas could do, and it’s then exponentially reduced even more by the fact that so many teams are looking for those same types of players. Factor in the relative lack of scheme versatility in that particular instance, and all of a sudden, the structure for your hit rate goes from the ceiling to the basement.
Now, look at where the NFL has prioritized its defensive resources in the last few years. The Vic Fangio/Brandon Staley template of two-high coverage and lighter boxes works in today’s NFL for a lot of reasons. Teams are throwing more often. Teams are running the ball not only less, but in different ways and with different types of players. In 2021, offenses threw out of more quick-game concepts (zero to three step drops) at a 60% rate, and the ability of the quarterback to have second-reaction ability to keep things alive when the play breaks down is seen as more of a near-necessity than a prominent luxury.
So, that Earl Thomas/Ed Reed-level deep safety, while awesome if you can get him and if he even exists in any draft cycle? I mean, if you know the draft prospect can possibly be that level of player, you move heaven and earth to get him, because you’re talking about a once-in-a-decade player who can define your defense.
More likely, you’re getting safeties who do a lot of things — some very well, some with developmental issues, and some things they probably shouldn’t be doing at all. You’re going to want a guy who can play some free, some slot, some box, maybe even a few snaps of outside corner, and some reps as a blitzer along the defensive line. It’s why teams go less and less for the defined box and free safeties as they used to.
There are far more Tyrann Mathieus than Earl Thomases. And there are far more safeties who work well in two-high shells, whether they stay in two-high or spin to something else post-snap. Player value at the position has turned from athletic to schematic. It’s more about finding the player who works in the concepts you want to run, as opposed to waiting around for the guy who will fill in the nearly impossible blank.
Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, the consensus top safety in the 2022 draft class, had 1.440 defensive snaps over three collegiate seasons, per Pro Football Focus. Hamilton had 644 snaps at free safety, 437 in the slot, 313 in the box, 29 along the defensive line, and 15 at outside cornerback.
Hamilton’s specific value is not in his ability to play that many positions, because nearly every safety coming into the draft over the last few years has a somewhat similar position share. His specific value is in his ability to take the multi-position archetype that is the order of the day, and play those positions at a level that is disproportionately high in comparison to the other safeties in this class. Factor in his height/weight template, and that’s where Kyle Hamilton becomes a potentially generational prospect. It’s not at all that he does one thing very well. It’s entirely that he does 4-5 things, he’s NFL-ready at all of them, and he’s NFL-plus ready with this or that attribute in ways we haven’t seen from other players.
When you see the position snaps for the top 11 safety prospects on our list. you’ll see, over and over, how much the value guide for the position has flipped on its head.
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Here are Touchdown Wire’s top 11 safeties in the 2022 draft class.
(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated. All testing data comes from the 2022 scouting combine, with percentile per position, courtesy of MockDraftable.com. Certain biographical information was gleaned from Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” draft guide over at The Athletic, which is a must-read every year).
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 cornerbacks
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 linebackers
2022 NFL draft: The top 12 edge defenders
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 interior defensive linemen
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 interior offensive linemen
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 offensive tackles
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 tight ends
2022 NFL draft: The top 16 receivers
The Jags added some help to the secondary in free-agency, but that hasn’t stopped them from looking at options in the draft, too.
The Jacksonville Jaguars bolstered their secondary some in free agency with a value signing by picking up Jacksonville native and cornerback Darious Williams last month. After winning a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams, Williams was able to ink a three-year deal worth $30 million that guarantees $18 million.
However, the Jags may not be done adding pieces to their secondary with the draft coming up this month as they have 12 picks, which is tied for the most in the draft with Kansas City. That said, an opportunity could present itself to address a position that may not be a huge need now, but could be in the future.
One position that fits that category is safety. The team looks like they could trot Andre Cisco and Rayshawn Jenkins out as their two starters, but there is a chance for a potential out on the latter next season, who is one of the highest-paid players on the team. For that reason, safety can’t necessarily be ruled out and the team has shown interest in at least a couple in the draft.
Among them is Illinois safety Kerby Joseph, who Justin Melo of the Draft Network says will visit the Jags this week and is receiving a ton of interest around the league.
#Illinois S Kerby Joseph (6-1, 203) has completed Top 30 Visits with the #Vikings, #Bears, #Colts and #Bucs per source. He'll visit the #Jags and #Lions next.
A TON of interest in an ascending safety that took a big step forward while recording 5 INTs this past season.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 13, 2022
Joseph is entering the draft after spending four seasons with Illinois. During his time there, he was able to play in 39 games while racking up 57 total tackles, 11 pass breakups, and five picks, all of which came in 2021. His impressive senior season also propelled him into First-Team All-Big Ten honors last season.
According to NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein, Joseph is a player with good hips that moves fluidly and can lay a good hit on the ball carrier. However, he could work on his decisiveness, make more consistent angles, and work on keeping his eyes up while tackling.
Joseph is receiving a lot of third-round projections on the web. That could make him a potential option for pick No. 70, but the Jags could still have more pressing needs there like addressing the offensive line or maybe snagging a receiver.
“Touchdown Jaguars!” will be published weekly, giving Jags Wire readers a new go-to podcast to hear the latest in news, rumors, and more. To stay up to date, subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and feel free to rate and comment.
Joseph is a Day 2 safety who is an excellent scheme fit for Aaron Glenn’s defense
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One of the rising names in the 2022 NFL draft pantheon is heading to Detroit for a pre-draft visit in the coming days. Illinois safety Kerby Joseph is including the Lions in his ongoing tour of pre-draft visits.
Per Justin Melo of the Draft Network, Joseph will be in Detroit next week after stops in Chicago, Minnesota and Indianapolis this week. He also will meet with the Jaguars.
Joseph has been gaining momentum throughout the draft process, thanks in part to a strong week at the Senior Bowl, where he played against the Lions-coached American team. He’s also produced excellent athletic workout numbers, including a 38.5-inch vertical jump. The Lions met with Joseph during his pro day at Illinois. He is generally projected as a Day 2 pick and has some experience playing in a split-safety scheme like the Lions deploy under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
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The Houston Texans take DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and OT Charles Cross in the latest Touchdown Wire three-round mock draft.
The Houston Texans have an opportunity with five picks in the top-100 of the 2022 NFL draft to collect talent that can bolster the roster and get the AFC South club back to being competitive.
Mark Schofield from the Touchdown Wire released his latest three-round mock draft, and what the Texans do in his latest forecast is a rudimentary way to fix the team.
In the first round, Houston uses their No. 3 overall pick to take Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. With the addition of Thibodeaux, the Texans have a sure edge rusher who can get after the quarterback and star in Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme.
The Texans don’t neglect the other side of the trenches as they take tackle Charles Cross from Mississippi State. The addition of another first-round tackle adds an interesting twist as to what the club expects of Tytus Howard in the final year of his rookie deal.
Houston gives second-year quarterback Davis Mills another weapon with the selection of Western Michigan receiver Skyy Moore in the second round. Teaming up with Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins should allow the shifty slot receiver opportunities to get his targets.
The Texans also address the running game in a profound way for the first time since 2017 when they selected D’Onta Foreman from Texas in the third round as Houston nabs Iowa State running back Breece Hall with the 68th overall pick. Houston still has Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman on the roster, but Hall has the chance to become a key part of the run game.
With Houston’s final pick of the third round at No. 80 overall, they add a familiar face for Smith in Illinois safety Kerby Joseph. The former Smith understudy returns to his old coach — this time in the pros — and still playing the Tampa 2 scheme.
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The Cowboys have invested in the safety position this offseason, but a young star would really signify a dedication to the position. Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) sees if the Illini star is the one to grab.
What is one thing Dallas Cowboys fans have been begging for, for what seems like forever? Investing resources in a single-high safety, that’s what. The Cowboys took a flier on free agent Malik Hooker last year, and brought him back on a two-year deal this March. While he played well in his limited time; he has been plagued with injuries throughout his career and hasn’t yet returned to the promise of his time at Ohio State. A high-pedigree draft pick at the position still makes sense.
Illinois isn’t known as a football powerhouse but has produced some quality talent in the NFL. Safety Kerby Joseph may be the most talented to pass through Champaign in a long while. A rangy safety, Joseph is best utilized as a single-high who showcases impressive ball skills and good change-of-direction ability.
2022 NFL draft: Philadelphia Eagles add more talent on defense in full seven-round mock post blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Saints
The Eagles once again shook up the NFL draft boards after a blockbuster trade that saw general manager Howie Roseman trade pick No. 16, No. 19, and No. 194 to the Saints for pick No. 18, No. 101, No. 237, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-rounder as well.
Philadelphia now has two first-round picks in 2022, an extra third-round picks in 2022, along with pushing a first-round pick back to 2023 and also accumulating an extra second-round pick in 2022.
With the moves made, here’s an updated Eagles-only seven-round mock draft via Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, that’ll likely see the Birds still land players that were on their board.
Joseph played his way into middle-round status and has the workout numbers to back it up
The collegiate pro day circuit kicked off this week, a chance for NFL teams to work out prospects at colleges all over the country. One of the pro days where the Detroit Lions were confirmed by sources to be in attendance came on Friday at Illinois.
The Fighting Illini have a few budding prospects, but the most interesting from a Lions standpoint is safety Kerby Joseph. The 6-1, 203-pound Joseph blossomed as a prospect in 2021 with five INTs in the process of earning the highest Pro Football Focus coverage grade of any safety in college football. He posted an impressive 38.5″ vertical jump at the scouting combine recently. Joseph is generally projected in the 4th-6th rounds.
Offensive lineman Vederian Lowe and linebacker Jake Hansen are other Illini prospects who could intrigue the Lions. Both were at the NFL scouting combine and stand a chance to be drafted. QB Brandon Peters and DT Roderick Perry are among the other notables. Perry, a transfer from South Carolina State, did very well for himself during the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Illinois S Kerby Joseph is up next in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft for Packers Wire.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers have cornerstone pieces in place on the defensive side of the ball. Kenny Clark, Jaire Alexander, and Rashan Gary are all 26 years old or younger.
With those three pillars in place, Brian Gutekunst needs to continue to add supplemental pieces around them.
Who will be the starting safeties for the Packers in 2023? Adrian Amos is set to be a free agent following the 2022 season. Is Darnell Savage Jr in Green Bay’s long-term plans after a disappointing 2021 season?
With those two players possibly on their way out in the near future, it’s a safe bet Gutekunst seeks to find a replacement for one or both of them in the upcoming draft.
A player that Gutekunst could target on day two of the upcoming draft is Kerby Joseph. The Illinois safety checks in at No. 53 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Joseph was a three-star recruit that competed in track and played volleyball in high school. He played primarily on special teams prior to becoming a starter for Illinois this past season.
During his only year as a starter, Joseph recorded 57 tackles, one sack, and five interceptions. He was the only player in the country to record five interceptions and have three fumble recoveries. Joseph was PFF’s top-rated safety this past season.
From Anthony Treash of PFF:
Joseph was PFF’s highest-graded safety at the FBS level in 2021, as he was a high-level playmaker in coverage who accumulated five interceptions and four pass breakups while providing sound run defense and tackling. The Illinois safety has long limbs (33.25-inch arms) for his 6-foot, 200-pound frame. Between his length, ball skills and coverage skills, Joseph provided a lot to like entering the 2022 Senior Bowl, and he lived up to the hype with two interceptions and pass breakups during the one-on-ones and team drills at practice.
Joseph is a rangy, centerfield safety. He has outstanding play speed and covers a lot of ground with his quickness and hip fluidity. He’s a true field eraser. He has quick feet and takes good angles to make plays in coverage.
“I think we can talk about Kerby Joseph’s range as one of his best traits,” Ian Cummings, an NFL draft analyst for Pro Football Network, said. “As important as the safety position is nowadays, few have truly high-end range on the back end. I think Joseph can be one of the few. He’s an extremely impressive athlete with great explosiveness and closing speed in the open field. It helps that he generally positions himself well in zone coverage, but his explosiveness is what can make him an eraser clamping down on the sideline. It also helps that Joseph has arms over 33 inches long. He has a wide impact radius, and his explosive athleticism allows him to carry that all across the field.”
Joseph attacks the ball like a wide receiver. He tracks the ball well and didn’t have any “cheap” interceptions. Quarterbacks are taking a risk when they throw it into his zone. He has natural hands and does a good job of using his length to impact passing lanes.
“Predictably, Joseph’s ball skills are strong,” Cummings said. “At the root of it all, Joseph’s 33-inch arms enable him to disrupt passes that other defensive backs might not be able to reach. He has an extremely wide disruption window. On top of that, Joseph has great ball tracking ability and body control in the air, and he also has a good sense of timing. You won’t often find Joseph playing too tentative at the catch point. He relishes the chance to create turnovers, and he has the skill set to do it as well.”
Joseph is a reliable open-field tackler. He rarely gives up yards after the catch. However, he’s not a physical downfield striker (at least not consistently). He’s certainly willing, but he doesn’t have that “dog” mentality like other safeties in this class like Cincinnati’s Bryan Cook.
“Coverage is definitely the stronger part of Joseph’s game right now,” Cummings said. “The exciting part is, he’s shown flashes in run support. And being 6’1”, 200 pounds with 33-inch arms, he has the traits to be a capable player on early downs. But right now, he isn’t quite as consistent there. He has the wingspan to wrap up as a tackler, but he sometimes lets players slip away. He also hesitates at times when reading the play in close quarters, and he doesn’t always engage blocks with the necessary aggression. Joseph isn’t a liability here, of course. He can come downhill with a lot of heat, and he’s willing to make some big hits. He’s not afraid to be physical, but he may need a bit of a tune-up in run support against NFL competition.”
Joseph didn’t become a starter for Illinois until the 2021 season. He saw a lot of playing time early in his career on special teams and was a standout gunner for the Fighting Illini. It’s a role that could carry over for Joseph in the NFL.
“Joseph amassed a lot of special teams experience at Illinois, as he never became a full-time starter until his final season,” Cummings said. “He certainly has the traits to be good there. With his speed, he carries momentum downhill, and he can be a great gunner with his range, length, and willing physicality. If he doesn’t crack a starting lineup right away, that would be a good outlet to use his traits.”
Joseph is a single-high safety. With his range and ball skills, he can be a dynamic difference-maker in the backend at the next level.
The Packers could stand to upgrade the depth at the safety position behind Amos and Savage. Joseph would provide quality depth and a player that could provide an immediate impact on special teams.
In the long-term Joseph could be a future starter with Amos and Savage possibly on their way out in Green Bay.
In the short term, his presence could allow the Packers to deploy Savage in the Star/nickel position for Joe Barry while playing Joseph at safety.
“With his athletic makeup, there isn’t much Joseph can’t do on the back end,” Cummings said. “He has the explosiveness and long-strider speed to cover large areas, and he’s also fluid and instinctive enough to maintain his positioning in zone. That fluidity can translate to man, and with his length and ball skills, he’s a playmaking threat wherever he lines up. He’ll be best as a two-high or single-high player early on, but the traits provide a lot of eventual upside beyond that.”
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