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2013 Draft
Free Safeties
This page will be a work in progress and updated frequently. Come back often and watch it develop.

12 Kenny Vaccaro FS 1 Texas Sr 6000 214 1

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Ran nearly 2-tenths of a second slower than his pre-combine est. Other combine results above average. Smart. Aggressive but has to play under control. Ball skills very good but not elite. Some off the field issues.

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.49. Combine - Forty: 4.63. Reps: 15. VJ: 38.0. BJ: 10-1. 20S: 4.06. 60S: DNP. 3C: 6.78.

Pro Day (Brandt) - Was limited at the pro day after tweaking a hip flexor during a private workout for an NFL team. Vaccaro won’t do the runs or jump, but did go through the position drills. Vaccaro is a projected first-round draft pick.

Based on NFLScouts.com - Prototypical size and build for the position. High-cut frame with good overall musculature. Very good straight-line speed, agility, balance and hip flexibility. His athleticism is enhanced by his vision and instincts. Quickly locates the ball and understands route-progression, rarely getting caught out of position. Often asked to drop down from FS  position to cover the slot, demonstrating a smooth backpedal, hip turn and the burst out of his breaks to stay in the hip pocket of his opponent. Hasn't generated a big number of interceptions, but has good ball skills and showed greater willingness to jump routes as a senior. Highly aggressive run defender. Flies to the line in run support, demonstrating a physical pop with generally reliable open-field tackling skills. Has the long, strong arms to drag-down ballcarriers, and has good pursuit, blitz and closing speed

Can get out of control flying to the LOS. Will duck his head to make the big hit and leave cut-back lanes wide open. Must do a better job of wrapping up, rather than leading with his shoulder. Lacks ballhawk consistency  considering his hype. Had a few run-ins with authorities. Compared to Eric Weddle -- Vaccaro has the athleticism and size to line up wherever his NFL team needs him most. but hasn't yet shown the same ball skills as Weddle (yet).

37 *Eric Reid FS 2 LSU Jr 5080 190 1-2

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - The hard hitting of a SS and the range and centerfield skill of a FS. Not a blazer. Needs to play smarter and with better technique and discipline. Didn't work out at combine.

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.59. Combine - Forty: DNP. Reps: 10. VJ: DNP. BJ: DNP. 20S: DNP . 60S: DNP. 3C: DNP.

Pro Day (Brandt) - Reid ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 and 4.52 seconds. He had an excellent workout and should be drafted near the top of the second round. Licht at LSU workout.

Based on NFLScouts.com – “Centerfielder" - a product of the LSU system, but a terrific prospect. Has the ideal build and athleticism for the position, with excellent instincts and is a scrappy, tenacious defender whose big hits and ball skills make him a legitimate weapon in the deep patrol. Scouts would like to see him wrap up a bit more securely (precisely the concern I had with Mark Barron (who frankly, struggled more with his open-field tackling than Reid has thus far) a year ago. Could go as high as #7 overall. Fantastic downhill athlete with quick read-and-react ability to attack the play with steam spurting from his ears. But his biggest strength is also his greatest weakness - he plays with nonstop aggressiveness and intensity, but he doesn't always control that hostility in a smart way. Throws his body around and might be the most violent striker in the SEC, but if he doesn't learn how to play smarter and harness his fierce playing style then he'll have a tough time making a living in the pros.

58 Phillip Thomas FS 3 Fresno State rSr 6004 208 2

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Nice skill-set but not very fast. Playmaker.Can jump thru the roof. Skipped agility drills. Durability a oncern (broken leg in 2011).

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.57. Combine - Forty: 4.65. Reps: 28. VJ: 40.5. BJ: 10-2. 20S: DNP. 60S: DNP. 3C: DNP.

Pro Day (Brandt) - — Thomas ran the 40 in 4.59 seconds on each attempt. He did the short shuttle in 4.15 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.78 seconds. Thomas stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine. Thomas was put through a strenuous workout by a scout from the New England Patriots in the positional drills and looked great.

Based on NFLScouts.com - Well proportioned athlete with good straight-line speed, agility and terrific closing speed. Very good anticipation skills. Reliable ball-skills. Tracks the ball well, with good leaping ability and soft hands. Physical hitter. Lowers his shoulder into the ball-carrier and wraps securely. Has light feet and surprisingly fluid hips to drop down and cover receivers out of the slot. Very good in the open-field  due to his agility, speed and vision to be a threat with the ball in his hands.

May not possess the top-end timed speed some teams are looking for in a true centerfielder.. Trusts his instincts and will occasionally get burned on play-action or double-moves. Missed the entire 2011 season with a broken left leg and dislocated left ankle. Compared to Michael Griffin  -- Like Griffin, Thomas boasts an impressive combination of size, athleticism and playmaking ability.

84 Bacarri Rambo FS 4 Georgia rSr 6010 211 3

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Smart and physical with good ball-skills. Riverboat gambler (makes plays but can also get burned). Can either play FS or SS. Lacks elite recovery speed. Didn't do combine drills. Off field issues. Could be an early mid-round consideration to back up Rashad Johnson should A-Dub not be back.

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.56. Combine - Forty: DNP. Reps: 17. VJ: DNP . BJ: DNP. 20S: DNP. 60S: DNP. 3C: DNP.

Pro Day (Braandt) - Rambo ran the 40 in 4.64 and 4.66 seconds. He had a 34-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-9 broad jump. He ran the short shuttle in 4.31 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.94 seconds.

PFW Audibles - "All (of his interceptions) come underneath but he's not a hitter. He's never been the same since he got put on a blackboard early in his career. He's not a true free or an ideal strong. Factor in the background issues and you're talking about a backup."

Based on NFLScouts.com - Looks the part…well-developed, evenly proportioned frame. Intuitive defender who reads the QB’s eyes well and gets a jump on the ball in coverage. Good burst to the ball due to average acceleration and straight-line speed. Times his leaps/contact with receivers nicely with good body control and hand-eye coordination to play physically without drawing the flag. Locates the ball and has very good ball skills. Has soft hands to pluck the ball away from this frame or track it over his shoulder. Highly aggressive tackler. Looks to lower the boom on unsuspecting receivers crossing the middle. Lowers his shoulder into ball-carriers, though he sees what he's hitting (i.e. avoidslowering his head and spearing the opponent - and drawing the flag). Generally takes good angles to the ball. Made Georgia's secondary calls for at least the last two seasons. Played FS but has the size and physicality to play SS as well.

Tends to lead with his shoulder rather than wrapping up fully as a tackler. Generally gauges pursuit angles well but can get caught up in the trash when he gets too aggressive, leading to some cut-back opportunities RB’s. Lacks the elite recovery speed that his 16 career interceptions might indicate and is, in fact, a bit of a gambler. Has twice failed drug tests ( suspended for the first four games of 2012). Compared to Dashon Goldson - Tends to make splashy plays as a pass thief and intimidating hitter but is prone to an occasional breakdown. If he can cleanup his game (and his off-field issues) Rambo has the talent to earn Pro Bowl consideration, just as Goldson has done for the 49ers.

90 *Tony Jefferson FS 5 Oklahoma Jr 5106 213 3

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Versatile playmaker who's a smidge faster than most other FS prospects but a trifle shorter. Hard hitter, aggressive blitzer but but sometimes plays out of control. Slow combine forty time. Didn't jump or do agility drills.

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.53. Combine - Forty: 4.75. Reps: 16. VJ: DNP. BJ: DNP. 20S: DNP . 60S: DNP. 3C: DNP.

Pro Day (Brandt) -  Jefferson ran a 4.18-second short shuttle and a 7.32-second three-cone drill, but was forced to the sidelines after pulling his right hamstring.

PFW Audibles - "...(he) can't run. He got exposed vs. West Virginia and Texas A&M. He didn't look good at the end of the year. He took a lot of bad angles. He's fine when he is rolled up, but I don't even know if he'll run a 4.6.  He's a box guy. I put him in the fifth (round)."

Based on NFLScouts.com -  Versatile performer who isn't restricted to a specific position. Doesn't shy from contact and enjoys blitzing and making plays in the backfield (22 tackles for loss in his three-year career). Has loose hips and a balanced center of gravity to quickly change directions and close in a flash on the play. Reliable tackler who plays with good awareness. Extensive experience.Lacks ideal bulk and strength for the position and must clean up his tackling technique. Tends to duck his head, lead with his shoulder (or worse, with his crown), so that ballcarriers bounce off to gain extra yardage. Comes in a bit out of control, lunging at ballcarriers and opening up cut-back lanes. Compared to Abram Elam

105 T.J. McDonald FS 6 Southern California Sr 6024 219 3-4

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Versatile. Nice size. Decent speed.  Elite jumping and good agility numbers. Can both hit and cover. Physical. But a bit stiff and not comfortable in Kiffin system. Did not impress during Senior Bowl Week.

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.52. Combine - Forty: 4.59. Reps: 19. VJ: 40.0. BJ: 10-11. 20S: 4.20. 60S: DNP. 3C: 6.89.

Pro Day (Brandt) - McDonald had a 10-foot-11 broad jump at USC’s pro day, and then stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine. T.J. is the son of Tim McDonald

PFW Audibles - "...was played all over the field this year. He rarely stayed on top. He's a better athletic tester than football player."

Based on NFLScouts.com - Looks the part - broad shoulders, a trim middle and impressive overall musculature. Versatile - Lined  up as a single centerfielder, a corner covering slot receivers, a blitzing linebacker up the middle or off the edge and in his more familiar two-deep package. Aggressive defender who attacks the LOS when he reads run. Physically takes on and shed blockers and is a lights-out hitter. Explodes through ballcarrier, yet wrapping his arms securely. Good straight-line speed with a burst to close and the length to make tackles seemingly out of his reach. Uses his height and physicality well to compete for jump balls. Good ball-skills. Dependable, no-nonsense player.

Long, lanky build that makes him a step slow in transitioning. Has to gather himself out of his cuts, giving receivers room to gain separation. Seemed confused in Kiffin's scheme. Too often drifted out of position attempting to read the quarterback's eyes. Underwhelming performance throughout Senior Bowl week and could be losing momentum as the draft approaches. Ankle surgery in 2010. Compared to Kam Chancellor -- While not quite as imposing as Chancellor, McDonald's size and physicality is sure to intrigue teams looking for an enforcer against the running game and one athletic enough to handle the bigger hybrid receivers now in vogue. McDonald's best fit in the NFL would be as an "in the box" type rather than playing over the top.

128 D.J. Swearinger FS 7 South Carolina Sr 5104 208 4

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Lethal hitter. Protected by surrounding cast, but a very physical player who improved as a tackler and pass defender as the season wore on. Kind of slow, but jumping and agility combine results were good. At top of my list of draft "sleepers."

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.56. Combine - Forty: 4.67. Reps: 17. VJ: 37.. BJ: 10-4. 20S: 4.11. 60S: DNP. 3C: 6.70.

Pro Day (Brandt) - He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 and 4.65 seconds and kept everything else from the combine. Swearinger had a very, very good workout

PFW Audibles - "...(he) will drop down in the box and hit you. He looks to take your head off. I love his intensity and approach. Every secondary needs a lightning rod like him. When you think a lot of the great ones - ther Ed Reeds and Brian Dawkins - they had that spark...He'll miss some tackles that he should make but he's a big time hitter."

Based on NFLScouts.com - With the pass rush he had in front of him, as well as stellar play from cornerback Stephon Gilmore, Swearinger served as more of a complementary piece last season than a true star on his own.

That said, he's a very physical defender who showed greater open-field tackling skills and dependability in coverage as the year wore on. At this point he looks like a mid-round selection. Considering his versatility and toughness, however, he could be on the verge of a strong jump up the board this season
152 Zeke Motta FS 8 Notre Dame Sr 6022 213 5

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Ran 3/10 of a second slower than pre-combine ests. High forty time could take him out of draft consideration. Good jumping and very good agility drill results.

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.54. Combine - Forty: 4.83. Reps: 11. VJ: 35.5. BJ: 10-6. 20S: 4.16. 60S: DNP. 3C: 6.75. Pro Day Forty: 4.71

Pro Day (Brandt) - After slipping on his first try, Motta ran 4.71 and 4.73. He did 16 strength reps and performed all right in position drills. Motta has good ball skills and figures to be a third- or fourth-round pick.

170 Josh Evans FS 9 Florida Sr 6011 207 5-6

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Aggressive and physical. Centerfielder skills.  Average speed, pretty good agility and explosion. Slender build. Inclined to favor making the safe play over "going for it."

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.54. Combine - Forty: 4.58. Reps: DNL. VJ: 34.5. BJ: 10-3. 20S: 4.10 . 60S: DNP. 3C: 6.64.

Pro Day (Brandt) - Evans ran the 40-yard dash in 4.60 and 4.62 seconds and recorded a 37 1/2-inch vertical jump

Based on NFLScouts.com - Lean, athletic build with very long arms. Attack mentality stands out on film. Not afraid to get physical and competes when the ball is in the air and after the catch. Attacks the LOS when he reads run or when allowed to blitz... Good balance and lateral agility to make the effective open-field tackle or when avoiding backs as a pass rusher. Good flexibility and overall speed in coverage. His ability to cover over the top allowed Elam to roam and make big plays. Improved ball skills in 2012. A bit lean for the position /may not be as fluid with additional weight. Needs to work on his reaction-quickness to trust what he sees. Will take the safe route of making sure he makes the tackle, rather than going for the interception or pass breakup. Compared to Reshad Jones

215 Bradley McDougald FS 10 Kansas Sr 6002 215 6-7

Big Red Sheet (Gollin) - Ran 2.5/10ths slower than pre-combine est. 4.75 forty is kind of on the cusp.. Not all that explosive or agile. Can play both FS and SS. Still a bit unproven.

Pre-Combine Forty - 4.50. Combine - Forty: 4.74. Reps: 19. VJ: 34.5 . BJ: 10-2. 20S: 4.44. 60S: DNP. 3C: 7.07.

Pro Day (Brandt) - McDougald — who was at the combine — ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds with the wind and 4.52 seconds against the wind. He did the short shuttle in 4.33 seconds. McDougald stood on his combine numbers in the broad jump, three-cone drill and bench press. McDougald had a good positional workout.

Based on NFLScouts.com - Versatile - has seen time at both FS and SS, playing near the LOS and also in the deep half of the field. Preferred to line up at wideout as an underclassman, but now believes safety is where he belongs. He just needs to continue to prove to scouts why he deserves a shot
237 Rashard Hall FS 11 Clemson rSr 6-1 213 7
Combine - Not Listed.

Pro Day (Brandt) - Not on list of participants.

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