Combine Prep: Safeties In The Draft

The back end of the defense was the Achilles heel of the 2014 Eagles. Chip Kelly and company will be looking for upgrades, including at the safety position opposite Malcolm Jenkins.

With the Scouting Combine opening Wednesday, here’s a look at some of the top safeties that could be targeted in the 2015 draft. The projected rounds are courtesy of CBS Sports.

Landon Collins, Alabama
Height/weight: 6-0, 222
2014 Stats: 87 tackles, 3 INTs
Projected round: 1

Analysis (NFL.com): Collins is a tempo-setter who can energize a defense with his downhill, aggressive style. He is at his best when he can attack rather than sit back in coverage and process. Collins’ tackling, pursuit angles and speed to the sideline can help a defense shut down rushing attacks, but his inconsistencies in coverage will be tested by NFL offenses.

Anthony Harris, Virginia
Height/weight: 6-1, 190
2014 Stats: 109 tackles, 2 INTs
Projected round: 2-3

Analysis (NFL.com): Productive three-year starter with above-average instincts and football intelligence. Was an interchangeable safety, playing both deep and in run support, but lacks the bulk, physicality and sure tackling to make a living in the box in the NFL. Harris has some coverage limitations in man, but his skills will get him drafted and should also earn him a starting spot fairly quickly.

Derron Smith, Fresno St
Height/weight: 5-11, 197
2014 Stats: 82 tackles, 1 INT
Projected round: 3

Analysis (NFL.com): Lacks ideal size for the position, but checks off just about every other box teams will be looking for. Smith’s ability to match up in space against slot receivers and his willingness to get downhill and tackle will be coveted. Smith must learn to play under control as a tackler, but he should have a shot to come in and compete for a starting-safety or slot-corner job quickly.

Jaquiski Tartt, Samford
Height/weight: 6-1, 218
2014 Stats: 62 tackles, 1 INT
Projected round: 3

Analysis (NFL.com): Tartt has terrific size and is a physical tackler but he must show that he can handle coverage responsibilities. Despite playing 2-deep and single-high coverage, Tartt’s size and aggressiveness as a tackler might be best utilized around the line of scrimmage or in a “robber” scheme. Tartt has the size, athleticism and overall talent to be an NFL starter.

Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern
Height/weight: 5-11, 220
2014 Stats: 54 tackles, 3 INTs
Projected round: 3-4

Analysis (NFL.com): Box safety with some coverage traits that should help him stick with some of the athletic, matchup-based tight ends. He has shown improved consistency as a tackler and has a knack for creating turnovers. He could come in and earn a spot with special-teams play while he tries to develop his instincts over time.

Kurtis Drummond, Michigan St.
Height/weight: 6-1, 202
2014 Stats: 65 tackles, 4 INTs
Projected round: 4-5

Analysis (NFL.com): Drummond is a bag of mismatched parts. He has the ball skills and closing burst of a starting NFL free safety, but his instincts and tackling could scare teams away from viewing him as a single-high center fielder. He’s not physical enough to play around the line of scrimmage, so his draft position will ultimately rest on how teams weigh his ball skills against his instincts.

Clayton Geathers, UCF
Height/weight: 6-2, 208
2014 Stats: 52 tackles, 1 INT
Projected round: 4-5

Analysis (NFL.com): Active, physical safety with short-area coverage ability and a willingness to get his hands dirty near the line of scrimmage. Geathers has the talent to play in the league but he makes too many mistakes to be trusted just yet and might need a year or two of seasoning and development.

Adrian Amos, Penn State
Height/weight: 6-0, 209
2014 Stats: 42 tackles, 3 INT
Projected round: 5-6

Analysis (NFL.com): Amos checks all the boxes when it comes to strong football intelligence, a willingness to digest tape and cover skills. The biggest question is whether or not he can fit with a coordinator looking for playmakers and chance-takers. He must prove that he can play with greater overlap. Amos’ scheme versatility is a big plus, but I wouldn’t ask him to play inside the box very often.