Top 5 safeties in 2007 draft

[woodbuck27]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/10095914

Vic's picks: Top 5 safeties in draft


By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com


See also Carucci's top 5: QB | RB | WR | TE | FB | OT | C | G | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S

(March 29, 2007) -- One man's ranking of the top five safeties in the NFL draft:

1. LaRon Landry, LSU

Positives: Size (6-foot-plus, 213 pounds), speed, and athleticism. ... Excellent instincts. ... Able to cover tight ends one-on-one. ... Hard hitter. ... Shows superb anticipation and isn't easily fooled by play fakes or misdirection plays. ... Toughness. ... Competitiveness.

Negatives: Very few, although he will sometimes get too carried away with launching himself at an opponent and fail to make contact.

2. Reggie Nelson, Florida (Underclassman)

Positives: Size (5-11-plus, 198 pounds), speed, and athleticism. ... Can cover tight ends and slot receivers one-on-one. ... Hard hitter. ... Plays with aggressiveness, especially in run support. ... Shows excellent discipline; doesn't bite on play fakes. ... Does a nice job of reading the quarterback. ... Outstanding hands and often comes up with the tough interception.

Negatives: Not many, although he occasionally gets a bit too aggressive when attacking the line of scrimmage against the run.

3. Brandon Meriweather, Miami (Fla.)

At his size, (5-10 5/8, 195 pounds) Brandon Meriweather might be better suited to play cornerback.
Positives: Speed, athleticism. ... Able to cover receivers man-to-man. ... Tremendous instincts. ... Avoids biting on play fakes. ... Excellent hands; can make difficult interceptions. ... Plays with aggressiveness and does a nice job of attacking the line in run support.

Negatives: Doesn't have a great deal of bulk or strength, which limits the impact of his hits and can make him vulnerable against larger ball-carriers. ... Character questions.

4. Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech

Positives: Size (6-4, 223 pounds), speed, and athleticism. ... Outstanding instincts. ... Avoids being fooled by play fakes. ... Reads quarterbacks well. ... Superb hands. ... Uses height to his advantage in out-jumping receivers and knocking down passes. ...

Negatives: Sometimes his long legs cause him to take a misstep and he finds himself at a disadvantage in coverage.

5. Eric Weddle, Utah

Positives: Outstanding athlete. ... Intelligence. ... Shows excellent instincts and natural playmaking skills. ... Versatility; played cornerback as well as safety in college. ... Should make an immediate impact on special teams.

Negatives: Doesn't have ideal speed. ... Isn't a particularly hard hitter.

[oregonpackfan]

I've seen Weddle from Utah play. The word "instincts" really describes his play. He diagnoses and reacts to a play very quickly.

The word "tenacious" also describes him as well.

[Fritz]

Yes, but OregonPackFan, they describe him as "intelligent." I have found in NFL-speak that that is a cut-down most of the time. It means he isn't fast.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Thought Griffin would make that list for sure.

[red]

i like how he says merriweather is too small to play saftey at 5'10 and 5/8 and 195 pounds

but one of the positives for nelson is his size, at 5'11 198

i guess the difference between a good safety and a saftey that should be a corner is 3/8ths of an inch and three pounds

maybe brandon should wear thicker socks?

[cheesner]

Apparently the Griffin ommission was unintentional - the article has been updated


1. LaRon Landry, LSU

2. Reggie Nelson, Florida (Underclassman)

3. Michael Griffin, Texas

Positives: Size (5-11-plus, 201 pounds), strength, speed, and athleticism ... Excels in man-to-man coverage ... Tremendously hard hitter ... Able to hold up well against larger blockers at the line of scrimmage ... Toughness ... Competitiveness.

Negatives: Needs to develop better instincts to avoid being caught out of position ... Could stand to improve his tackling skills.

4. Brandon Meriweather, Miami (Fla.)

5. Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech

[MadtownPacker]

So would all these guys still be available at #16?

[Rastak]

So would all these guys still be available at #16?

Not #1........Landry will be long gone I think.....

[Green Bud Packer]

So would all these guys still be available at #16?

Not #1........Landry will be long gone I think.....

landry is my favorite guy in the draft. with trade down teddy he look's gone, but man, he would be sweet in green bay.

[Rastak]

So would all these guys still be available at #16?

Not #1........Landry will be long gone I think.....

landry is my favorite guy in the draft. with trade down teddy he look's gone, but man, he would be sweet in green bay.

I don't follow College Football outside Minnesota much so I haven't seen the guy play but he sure has been getting some good press in the pre-draft publications......

[Green Bud Packer]

i had thoughts of willie wood and leroy butler when i watched him play. i know the guy hasn't played a down in the n.f.l. but neither had wood or butler,