lamberts-lost-tooth
02-09-2008, 01:18 PM
2008 NFL Draft Safety Rankings
Rival.com
This class is only a very average group of seniors that was improved with the addition of a few juniors. Junior safety Kenny Phillips is the only blue chip defender in this class and carries an early first round grade.
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POSITION GRADE C
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Several senior defenders like Jonathan Hefney, Marcus Griffin, Simeon Castille and Quintin Demps are considered NFL starting talent, though they need a strong performance at the NFL Combine to earn top 100 rankings.
This position will probably provide many middle round selections with most prospects more strong "In the box" defenders than free safety types.
Free Safeties Rankings
1. * Kenny Phillips, 6-1, 202, Miami
An athletic junior safety, Phillips is the premier defender in this class with the well-developed skills to be an early NFL starter.
2. Jonathan Hefney, 5-9, 185, Tennessee
Hefney has shown fine instincts in coverage and the tackling skills to finish plays.
3. Marcus Griffin, 5-11, 200, Texas
This rugged senior safety is another top Texas defensive back ready for the NFL game.
4. Simeon Castille, 6-0, 190, Alabama
Castille, a savvy defensive back who has fine instincts and ball skills, will get a look at both corner and safety.
5. Quintin Demps, 6-0, 205, UTEP
Demps displays a fine combination of speed, instincts and tackling ability.
6. Tom Zbikowski, 5-11, 210, Notre Dame
This safety/return specialist had a fine 2007 season and showcased his skills with a solid Senior Bowl performance.
7. Michael Grant, 5-11, 200, Arkansas
A fast, athletic safety, Grant has made a nice recovery from knee surgery and shows the well-developed skills to start as a pro.
8. Corey Lynch, 6-0, 205, Appalachian State
A tough, instinctive safety, Lynch makes plays against the run and pass and is a premier special teams performer.
9. Roger Williams, 6-0, 200, Florida State
10. D.J. Parker, 6-0, 190, Virginia Tech
11. Chris Horton, 6-0, 210, UCLA
12. Brian Bonner, 5-11, 200, TCU
13. Darien Williams, 5-11, 200, Oklahoma
14. Eric Wicks, 6-0, 205, West Virginia
15. Dennis Keyes, 6-2, 195, UCLA
Strong Safeties Rankings
1. Jamar Adams, 6-2, 210, Michigan
A huge, physical safety, Adams hits like a linebacker as an in-the-box defender. He is one of the fastest-rising prospects at this position.
2. Josh Barrett, 6-2, 225, Arizona State
This physical, in-the-box safety has been a force in the secondary when healthy and faces a critical NFL Combine to determine his final ranking.
3. * DaJuan Morgan, 6-1, 200, North Carolina State
Morgan must impress at the NFL Combine to move up among the premier prospects.
4. D.J. Wolfe, 5-11, 200, Oklahoma
Wolfe, an athletic defensive back, took a major step up this season when moved inside to safety.
5. Tyrell Johnson, 6-0, 200, Arkansas State
Johnson is tough and athletic and has been a dominant defender in the Sun Belt. A solid NFL prospect.
6. Thomas DeCoud, 6-1, 200, California
This big, mobile safety came on fast over his final season and had a solid week at the Senior Bowl.
7. Jamie Silva, 5-11, 205, Boston College
Silva was a consistent playmaker on both the base defense and special teams.
8. Craig Steltz, 6-1, 210, LSU
The savvy Steltz displays fine instincts to get to the ball and finish with strong tackles.
9. Dominique Barber, 6-0, 205, Minnesota
10. Nehemiah Warrick, 6-1, 200, Michigan State
11. Husain Abdullah, 6-0, 200, Washington State
12. Justin Scott, 6-0, 210, Purdue
13. Ryan Mundy, 6-1, 210, West Virginia
14. Nate Lyles, 5-11, 201, Virginia
15. Caleb Campbell, 6-1, 225, Army
Rival.com
This class is only a very average group of seniors that was improved with the addition of a few juniors. Junior safety Kenny Phillips is the only blue chip defender in this class and carries an early first round grade.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSITION GRADE C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several senior defenders like Jonathan Hefney, Marcus Griffin, Simeon Castille and Quintin Demps are considered NFL starting talent, though they need a strong performance at the NFL Combine to earn top 100 rankings.
This position will probably provide many middle round selections with most prospects more strong "In the box" defenders than free safety types.
Free Safeties Rankings
1. * Kenny Phillips, 6-1, 202, Miami
An athletic junior safety, Phillips is the premier defender in this class with the well-developed skills to be an early NFL starter.
2. Jonathan Hefney, 5-9, 185, Tennessee
Hefney has shown fine instincts in coverage and the tackling skills to finish plays.
3. Marcus Griffin, 5-11, 200, Texas
This rugged senior safety is another top Texas defensive back ready for the NFL game.
4. Simeon Castille, 6-0, 190, Alabama
Castille, a savvy defensive back who has fine instincts and ball skills, will get a look at both corner and safety.
5. Quintin Demps, 6-0, 205, UTEP
Demps displays a fine combination of speed, instincts and tackling ability.
6. Tom Zbikowski, 5-11, 210, Notre Dame
This safety/return specialist had a fine 2007 season and showcased his skills with a solid Senior Bowl performance.
7. Michael Grant, 5-11, 200, Arkansas
A fast, athletic safety, Grant has made a nice recovery from knee surgery and shows the well-developed skills to start as a pro.
8. Corey Lynch, 6-0, 205, Appalachian State
A tough, instinctive safety, Lynch makes plays against the run and pass and is a premier special teams performer.
9. Roger Williams, 6-0, 200, Florida State
10. D.J. Parker, 6-0, 190, Virginia Tech
11. Chris Horton, 6-0, 210, UCLA
12. Brian Bonner, 5-11, 200, TCU
13. Darien Williams, 5-11, 200, Oklahoma
14. Eric Wicks, 6-0, 205, West Virginia
15. Dennis Keyes, 6-2, 195, UCLA
Strong Safeties Rankings
1. Jamar Adams, 6-2, 210, Michigan
A huge, physical safety, Adams hits like a linebacker as an in-the-box defender. He is one of the fastest-rising prospects at this position.
2. Josh Barrett, 6-2, 225, Arizona State
This physical, in-the-box safety has been a force in the secondary when healthy and faces a critical NFL Combine to determine his final ranking.
3. * DaJuan Morgan, 6-1, 200, North Carolina State
Morgan must impress at the NFL Combine to move up among the premier prospects.
4. D.J. Wolfe, 5-11, 200, Oklahoma
Wolfe, an athletic defensive back, took a major step up this season when moved inside to safety.
5. Tyrell Johnson, 6-0, 200, Arkansas State
Johnson is tough and athletic and has been a dominant defender in the Sun Belt. A solid NFL prospect.
6. Thomas DeCoud, 6-1, 200, California
This big, mobile safety came on fast over his final season and had a solid week at the Senior Bowl.
7. Jamie Silva, 5-11, 205, Boston College
Silva was a consistent playmaker on both the base defense and special teams.
8. Craig Steltz, 6-1, 210, LSU
The savvy Steltz displays fine instincts to get to the ball and finish with strong tackles.
9. Dominique Barber, 6-0, 205, Minnesota
10. Nehemiah Warrick, 6-1, 200, Michigan State
11. Husain Abdullah, 6-0, 200, Washington State
12. Justin Scott, 6-0, 210, Purdue
13. Ryan Mundy, 6-1, 210, West Virginia
14. Nate Lyles, 5-11, 201, Virginia
15. Caleb Campbell, 6-1, 225, Army