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In this year’s draft class, the top two cornerback prospects are obvious picks. Patrick Peterson is, put simply, the best overall prospect in the draft and Prince Amukamara is a clear second best, character issues aside. However, as you look down…
The Cowboys’ third-year cornerback Orlando Scandrick may play a key role in the team’s pursuit of a top-notch free safety prospect in tomorrow’s draft.
Some may balk at the thought of getting rid of one of the team’s more talented young players, especially at a position where quality depth is often hard to come by.
The notion that many fans simply fail to comprehend is this: You’ve got to give something to get something.
Having considered that, a trade package including Scandrick is very plausible if the Cowboys plan on securing one of the draft’s better safety prospects (Earl Thomas or Eric Berry).
For the sake of reality, let’s not consider Berry, as he’ll likely be drafted in the first 10 spots.
Now let’s say former Texas Longhorn safety Earl Thomas drops to No. 17 (49ers) in the first round. A package of Orlando Scandrick, Dallas’ first-round pick, and perhaps a late-round pick may be enough to make the move up.
But why trade Scandrick?
Here are a few reasons why Scandrick may be involved in any draft day trade that would involve drafting a safety:
1) Scandrick is a commodity; he’s young, experienced, and is still playing out a relatively cheap rookie contract.
2) Cowboys’ secondary coach Dave Campo is a huge Alan Ball fan. Campo has said on record that Ball is an up-and-coming cornerback who might have shot himself in the foot because he’s able to play safety, saying that same versatility may have hurt Ball from seeing time exclusively at corner.
Trading Scandrick would allow Ball to move back to cornerback full time and assume the third corner role. Dallas would then grab its safety from the draft with the pick that they would trade for.
Similar scenarios can be imagined in the second round if the team wanted to move up and grab a player like Georgia Tech safety Morgan Burnett.
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It seems that teams are always searching for an enforcer in the defensive secondary.
They want a guy who’s a natural ball-hawk with elite speed and a high motor. Safeties have to be extremely rangy. They’re expected to do it all and cover plays in every direction, from deep bombs to coming up in the box for run support.
Here are the top five safety prospects that I’ve graded and placed in the draft based on their talents in both pass defense and rush defense.
The draft is coming quickly, but in the NFL, it’s still open season on free agents.
With a plethora of valuable draft picks, the Philadelphia Eagles are in a prime position to grab any of the elite safety prospects. They have the trade bait to move up into the top six and secure the top rated safety in the draft—Eric Berry from Tennessee.
They could also wait to see if Earl Thomas from Texas slips to 24th overall or trade up more frugally into the top 15 to secure his services.
If the Eagles miss or pass on Thomas, they should be able to lock-up Nate Allen from South Florida with the 37th overall selection.
Any of those three prospects would be expected to start in 2010.
But if the Eagles decide to draft one of the many talented safeties in the later rounds or take a project-player like Taylor Mays from USC, they could look to free agency for a stop-gap veteran presence.
And there are two outstanding safeties still on the market.
Both Darren Sharper and OJ Atogwe are basically free agents.
Although classified as a restricted free agent, the Rams only have the right to match Atogwe’s best offer (no further compensation is due). If Atogwe does not sign his tender (which he apparently will not do), he will officially become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
The Eagles are in a great situation to address their free safety needs.
I think as a matter of preference, the Eagles will look to the draft to acquire one of the premier free safety prospects. If they fall to draft temptation they may still target a safety in post-draft free agency.
For example, if the Eagles draft a cornerback in round one (CB – Kyle Wilson from Boise State perhaps) and then draft a player that slipped out of the first round with their 37th overall selection (like DE – Carlos Dunlap or C – Maurkice Pouncey from Florida), they could miss their opportunity to land one of the elite safety prospects.
If that were the case, I could see them targeting Darren Sharper or OJ Atogwe.
Still, we must consider the fact that the Eagles have three players competing for the free safety position already.
When Brian Dawkins left prior to the 2009 season, the Eagles brought in Rashad Baker from Oakland, Sean Jones from Cleveland, Reshard Langford from Vanderbilt and Macho Harris from Virginia Tech to compete with Quintin Demps for the job.
The job is still up for grabs and Macho Harris might be heading to the cornerback competition. Considering that, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Eagles added a proven veteran and a rookie before camp opens.
Marlin Jackson is interesting, but dispensable (ala Rashad Baker) and Demps’ opportunity may very well be over if the Eagles draft a safety with one of their highly valued draft pick. That makes him dispensable as well.
The Eagles could have two completely different names on the free safety depth chart in September.
The defensive makeover is just starting.
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With the 2010 NFL Draft just a month away, I will be highlighting the top players at each position in this year’s class.
These are my top safety prospects available in the 2010 NFL Draft.
1. Eric Berry, Tennessee
A three-time All-SEC selection during his final three seasons with the Volunteers, Berry racked up 245 tackles and 14 interceptions in 39 career games.
The undisputed top safety in this year’s class, Berry is a playmaker in the mold of Ed Reed and should come off the board sometime in this year’s top 10 picks.
2. Earl Thomas, Texas
Just a two-year starter for the Longhorns after redshirting in 2007, Thomas finished his career with 10 interceptions in 27 games, including an eight-interception performance in 2009.
A likely top-20 pick, Thomas has fantastic speed that could allow him to project at both cornerback or free safety at the next level.
3. Taylor Mays, Southern California
A four-year starter for some obviously talented USC squads, Mays racked up 276 tackles, five interceptions, and 21 pass breakups over four seasons for the Trojans.
A physical freak with 4.3 speed at 6’3″ and 230 pounds, Mays’ lack of big plays in college is a concern and I still question whether he has the cover skills to be a starting NFL safety.
Regardless, Mays’ upside is vast and he could project as a great linebacker in the right scheme if he doesn’t pan out in the secondary. He’s a likely first-round pick this April, but pinpointing a more specific spot is difficult due to his unique abilities.
4. Nate Allen, South Florida
A three-year starter for the Bulls, Allen finished his career with 226 tackles and nine interceptions, including two four-interceptions performances in 2007 and 2009.
Allen has an outside shot to go in the late first round if things play out the right way, but he will almost certainly be a second-round pick in this year’s draft.
5. Chad Jones, Louisiana State
A two-sport star at LSU, Jones was a pitcher and outfielder for the Tigers’ baseball team in addition to being a three-year safety in football.
A second-team All-SEC selection as a senior in 2009, Jones finished his career with 158 tackles and five interceptions in 40 games.
Jones has the size (6’2″, 220) and physicality of an NFL strong safety, but is a bit lacking in coverage. He could sneak into the draft’s first round, but is more likely a second-round pick.
Who are your top safety prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft? Share your thoughts on the forum here !
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