I'll ask again... are there any CBs in the upcoming draft that project well as FS in the NFL? I know it's not a perfect science but I wouldn't mind having a guy turn out like Jaryus Byrd back there...
He's been mostly playing safety this season, but Neiko Thorpe is one of my favorite mid-round prospects.
I know he's had a down year, but I still like Trumaine Johnson's talent and think he could be a starting FS in the NFL.
Thorpe is trash, can't fill a hole in run support and has little awareness in coverage. The only positive about him switching to Safety this year was he wouldn't get burnt at CB anymore...
Casey Hayward could move to Free Safety. Hayward sees the field very well and is a ballhawk. Doesn't have elite speed, just average or below and would struggle in man coverage in the NFL. Very intelligent player and could be the leader of an NFL defensive secondary. Has played well at CB but will have a tough time in the NFL if he stays at CB, just doesn't have the physical ablity to cover NFL receivers on the perimeter.
Six names for you: South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore Penn State's D'Anton Lynn Notre Dame's Robert Blanton Wyoming's Tashaun Gipson Cal Poly's Asa Jackson Furman's Ryan Steed The last two are small school standouts that are very good tacklers. The speed of the NFL may force a move to safety, although Asa Jackson track speed. Jackson will be a serious riser come draft time. He's a dangerous return man with very good ball skills.
He may be more of a strong safety, but Carolina's Antonio Allen has been a standout on a very good defense. Allen missed the Arkansas game due to injury and was greatly missed. Former Gamecock SPUR Darian Stewart is quietly having a good year with the Rams. Allen plays the same role.
I see your small school standouts, and I raise you Chris Greenwood from Albion. 6-2 190 4.3 40 39 inch vertical D3 freak who plays CB right now, but may have a better chance at sticking in the League as a Safety. Piss poor competition, but he's gifted with incredible athleticism and intangibles...
That's a pretty fair comparison. I don't know if Greenwood does returns, but he has compiled a lot of INT yardage on just a few picks this year. I don't think he goes nearly as high as he did though, although teams love size and speed. Being from an obscure school like Albion will hold him back, Indiana(PA) is at least on the radar because of D1 players transferring there...
Judging my by great barometer of talent: How cool and unique someone's name is.. the best player from that list will be Tashaun Gipson from Wyoming
He's just got to show consistency. Sometimes he looks All World(he had a nice PBU against Arkansas to save a TD), but other times he looks like just another CB.
I'm a VA Tech fan and Eddie Whitley is always impressing me. The guy started out as a corner but now plays rover. He is constantly making big tackles at the line of scrimage and is a ballhawk when the balls in the air.
Xavier Rhodes of Florida State is a redshirt sophmore CB who is draft eligible. He not only has the safety size (6-1 215 lbs), he also has the physicality. He plays well at the LOS providing run support and is a terror on blitzes. All that with great cover skills to boot. Not sure what his willingness is to switch positions but he seems like an ideal candidate. http://nflmocks.com/2011/11/19/xavier-rhodes-scouting-report-cb-florida-state-university/
How about drafting Zach Brown and converting him into a strong safety? He's been clocked as low as under 4.3. Looking at his highlights he looks and plays very much like a safety. Even his scouting report reads as though he would be better suited at the safety spot. I tell you one thing, Victor Cruz is not turning a 12 yard pass into a 99 TD catch and run with this guy on the field. Name: Zach Brown School: North Carolina Position: LB Height: 6'1" Weight: 236 lbs Career: Linebacker-running back who had a 29-0 record as a wrestler and won Class 3A state titles in the 100 meters (10.67 seconds) and 200 meters (21.52) as a Maryland prep. Spent 2007 at Hargrave Military Academy (Va.). As a reserve/special-teams player with the Tar Heels in ’08, was credited with six tackles, zero tackles for loss and zero sacks. Played all 13 games in ’09, starting the first six at weak-side linebacker (gave way to Kevin Reddick the second half of the season), and tallied 47-4-0 with one interception. Played all 13 games in ’10, starting five at the WLB spot in ’10, and posted 72-1 1/2-0 with three interceptions. Also competed for the UNC track team. Special-teams captain as a junior. Evaluation: An exceptionally gifted, undersized, finesse "Will" linebacker, Brown looks every bit the part and has rare speed with natural bend and safety-like ease of movement. Ranges sideline to sideline and is outstanding in coverage — drops effortlessly and is flexible, agile and sudden to shadow. Is a slam-dunk lottery selection on measurables and workout ability but does not exhibit an aggressive temperament and intensity leaves something to be desired. Is not physical at the point and too often relies on the cavalry to tackle. Has yet to adopt a professional approach to the game, has a fragile psyche and trust issues and the interview process might go a long way in determining his ultimate draft value.
