DRAFT PROSPECTS ANALYSIS: STRONG AND FREE SAFETIES AND P/K

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DRAFT PROSPECTS ANALYSIS: STRONG AND FREE SAFETIES AND P/K
STRONG SAFETIES

The strong safety draft class is extremely interesting. GMs will have to use a keen eye to make slick choices when evaluating this group.



While certainly no lock to be the first SS taken off the board, 21 year old Pitt Panther Jay Hudson seems as likely as any. He is not the youngest in the class and that could move him off the top spot but he is very good. Having Star Development, Hudson offers the top zone coverage number (75) entering the league while his speed (91), acceleration (92) ,and agility ratings all sit in the top four in his class. His 71 man coverage is pretty solid as well. Currently, there are only five PFL players who have a speed/acceleration ratio equal to or better than Hudson's. His zone/man coverage ratings are not very high in comparison to the PFL and he will need to improve quite a bit in both categories to jump into the upper echelon of the league. Still, Hudson is listed as a Big Hitter and is the lone SS rated as possessing a High Motor.

Georgia Bulldog Cyrus Levine could easily be the top SS taken. His age (20) and entry level OVR make him a superior choice to Hudson although he does lack the High Motor number and is not nearly as fast (89). He does have an excellent acceleartion number (94) that is best in class and he is the best man coverage rated player (74). His 87 hit power combined with his Big Hitter and 207 Lbs frame profiles as a head hunter over the middle but that 89 speed is worrisome in match and man schemes. Regardless, Levine is just 20 and should evolve into a top safety over time.

22 year old Tristan McCarthy (Wisconsin) and 21 year old Gabriel Francis (Mississippi) could go next or even higher. MCCarthy is the fastest SS in the class (92) but he is not quite as quick (90). Still, he can battle for the one-on-one balls with his outstanding 92 jump. At 22 years of age, Mccarthy may slide in the draft and his athletic numbers profile more as a straight line athlete rather than one that is fluid. His 79 COD and 89 agility rates limit his athleticism. Francis is a year younger (21) than McCarthy and his resume reads like an even less athletic player. His 89/88/87 speed/acceleration/agility numbers are not impressive and his 87 injury rate is a worry. Still, he is a Big Hitter and his 85 Hit Power rating means he can pop the ball loose if he gets to the play. Both are Star Development rated.

Ohio State Buckeye Jamie Daniels will probably slide down in this draft but he does offer good numbers. He is 21 years old, does not have Star Development, and is not a Big Hitter which will surely lower his value even more. 20 year old Travis Harmon will probably draw attention due to his size and Star Development numbers but he is slow (86) and does not accelerate quickly (85). When you combine those ratings with a 76 Hit Power and the lack of a Big Hitter designation one can see that Harmon is a young project that might not quite get to the levels hoped for.



PRE-DRAFT RATING: 1-Jay Hudson-Pittsburgh

2-Cyrus Levine-Georgia

3-Tristan McCarthy-Wisconsin

4-Gabriel Francis-Mississippi

5-Jamie Daniels-Ohio State

6-Travis Harmon-Ole Miss

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FREE SAFETIES

Top safeties seem to be coming out of Notre Dame these days. Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore) was a real gem taken at pick 11 in last year's draft and it seems another Irish player could go high in this year's draft...

6'3" 213 LBs Subhan Reyes (Notre Dame) will probably be the top free safety snagged this year. The 21 year old has all the tools to be a top tier player. His speed/athleticism ratings are very good. His 73 MCV/76 ZCV will need to improve but he is the only player in this class with a High Motor and just one of three with the Big Hitter designation. Add in his 91 jump number and you have the makings of a future stud.

Samson Daniels (LSU) could go next. Another 21 year old, Daniels is not quite up to the levels of Reyes but he solid nonetheless. His 93 speed is his big plus but he is not as big a jumper (85) as Reyes nor has the hitting power of Reyes (77). His overall profile is more of a coverage safety than a hitter back there but should still play well if he is in tandem with a big hitting SS.

22 year old Juan Newton (Penn State) could slip ahead of Daniels but probably not due to his age. He has good speed (91) and is the most agile (96) in this class. Newton has solid coverage ratings (74 MCV/71 ZCV), can hit (81), tackle (70), and can jump pretty well (87) making him a very good, across the board type FS. Newton is also one of three listed as a Big Hitter along with Daniels and Reyes.

A few other safeties warrent a long look as well. 23 year old Allen Sparks (UCLA) can play. His age is his major drawback and could see him drop as a result but he is Star Development rated and has enough skills to be seen, if nothing else, as a steady performer right away. He is not a Big Hitter but his 89 jump and 74 tackle ratings has him looking alot like a consistent defender. One can expect steady, but not elite, numbers out of him. Clemson's Maxim Ibarra is the fastest in the class (94) but his slower acceleration rate (89) and lower jump number (83) limit him some. He is a 70/70 zone/man guy but is not a Big Hitter, is not Star Development rated. and is just a 66 tackler. Ibarra can be a starter but he will not likely ever be much more than average. Hasan Alvarez (TCU) is 20 years old and might get taken earlier as a result. He has 90 speed and decent coverage numbers but he is not Star Development rated and seems to lack athleticism in a few key areas. Nonetheless, Alvarez' age will allow for growth and if he could somehow get to Star Development he could rise quickly. 22 year old Rio Vincent (Texas A&M) is the final Star Development player in this class. That might not be enough to have him rise much in this draft. His 89 speed and 88 acceleration numbers do not profile as an elite athlete and he lacks Big Hitter skills. Vincent could develop some and become a good contributor but probably will not get to elite levels.



PRE-DRAFT RATING: 1-Subhan Reyes-Notre Dame

2- Samson Daniels-LSU

3-Juan Newton-Penn State

4-Hasan Alvarez-TCU

5-Allen Sparks-UCLA

6-Maxim Ibarra-Clemson

7-Rio Vincent-Texas A&M

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Punters/Kickers

Many GMs overlook these two positions. But, upon further review, it is interesting that the champion Miami Dolphins have the top kicker in the game (Jason Samders) and the top five kickers were all on playoff teams! having an accurate kicker who has leg power is a valuable weapon to have.

Michigan State's Magnus Navarro is the lone Star Development booter in the draft class. His 92 power and 89 accuracy would probably have him in the middle of the PFL pack. The 92 power rating would not be top 20.



As far as punters go, Wake Forest's Musa Byrd is the only Star rated guy but he is 23 years old. The rst of the group mcould all be taken and probably do a decent job. Miami's Gerald Leach (91) and Georgia's Calum Gregory (90 ) have the most accuracy.
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