Scouting Safeties - Robinson, Johnson, and Thorpe
I am doubtful that the Patriots will wait until the fourth round to grab a Safety. I think that the need at the position too big to wait that long. These three prospects project to either the third or fourth rounds, so they are on the fringes of my Patriots Safety radar, but with the combine approaching these are the guys I have my eye on most. If one or more of these Safeties can post impressive results, they could move up the draft boards and prove to be a valuable pick. Belichick is always looking for value in the draft, and it would not surprise me to see him taking a hard look at the fringes to find a diamond in the rough.
I will merely provide some short synopses for these guys because I am not considering their scouting reports complete. This is simply to get them on the radar. Before I am willing to fully judge them, I need to see some definite measurables. Nevertheless, the combine results will not tell us if a guy is having trouble tackling, covering, or reading defenses. This what we will be looking for here, fundamentals.
#39 Trenton Robinson, Michigan St. - 5'10" - 195lbs
PROS: extremely productive statistics in INTs and tackles, playmaker with nose for the ball, good quickness in and out of breaks, versatile, durable, will contribute on special teams
CONS: undersized, needs to find a true position (CB, SS, FS), not an elite athlete, but a good one.
OVERALL: his versatility and special teams contributions make him attractive, but his size is his major weakness. If he fails to move up the boards in the combine, he could be a great late round pick due to his ability to contribute all over the defensive backfield.
#2 Trumaine Johnson, Montana - 6'2" - 204lbs
PROS: has played at CB and FS, good man cover skills, good zone skills, reads QBs well, rangy size, good breaks on ball, good jumping ability while ball is in the air, best when keeping the play in front of him (projects to FS in NFL)
CONS: struggles in quick breaks, weak in press coverage, shows some stiff hips, sloppy backpedal, needs to get stronger, sometimes lets big WRs get physical and win, struggles when he turns his back on the play
OVERALL: great size for a FS, shows great cover skills, but often beat by physical WRs, struggles when turning his hips and back to the QB, needs to work on techniques as a safety, possesses tremendous athletic ability, but must play as big as he is.
#15 Neiko Thorpe, Auburn - 6'2" - 188lbs
PROS: played at CB and FS, good man cover skills, prototypical height for FS, good speed, very fluid in change of direction for a tall guy
CONS: needs to add some weight in upper body, loses speed when turning/opening hips, lacks experience at Safety, Auburn was often gashed in the pass game this year, tackles like a CB not a safety.
OVERALL: very little reliable tape on Thorpe at FS, a versatile athlete, good size, but needs to add strength to jam/tackle larger WRs, need to see his combine results, but certainly needs some time to develop techniques at safety.
I will merely provide some short synopses for these guys because I am not considering their scouting reports complete. This is simply to get them on the radar. Before I am willing to fully judge them, I need to see some definite measurables. Nevertheless, the combine results will not tell us if a guy is having trouble tackling, covering, or reading defenses. This what we will be looking for here, fundamentals.
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| great stats, small stature |
PROS: extremely productive statistics in INTs and tackles, playmaker with nose for the ball, good quickness in and out of breaks, versatile, durable, will contribute on special teams
CONS: undersized, needs to find a true position (CB, SS, FS), not an elite athlete, but a good one.
OVERALL: his versatility and special teams contributions make him attractive, but his size is his major weakness. If he fails to move up the boards in the combine, he could be a great late round pick due to his ability to contribute all over the defensive backfield.
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| needs to stop playing "soft" |
PROS: has played at CB and FS, good man cover skills, good zone skills, reads QBs well, rangy size, good breaks on ball, good jumping ability while ball is in the air, best when keeping the play in front of him (projects to FS in NFL)
CONS: struggles in quick breaks, weak in press coverage, shows some stiff hips, sloppy backpedal, needs to get stronger, sometimes lets big WRs get physical and win, struggles when he turns his back on the play
OVERALL: great size for a FS, shows great cover skills, but often beat by physical WRs, struggles when turning his hips and back to the QB, needs to work on techniques as a safety, possesses tremendous athletic ability, but must play as big as he is.
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| has the tools, but lacks experience |
PROS: played at CB and FS, good man cover skills, prototypical height for FS, good speed, very fluid in change of direction for a tall guy
CONS: needs to add some weight in upper body, loses speed when turning/opening hips, lacks experience at Safety, Auburn was often gashed in the pass game this year, tackles like a CB not a safety.
OVERALL: very little reliable tape on Thorpe at FS, a versatile athlete, good size, but needs to add strength to jam/tackle larger WRs, need to see his combine results, but certainly needs some time to develop techniques at safety.
I heard the pats are probably looking to get more corner help in the draft and hope that Dowling stays healthy so they can move McCourty to FS and have Arrington as a nickel corner. Not sure if its true but I think it makes sense. Probably easier to find a good corner in this draft.
ReplyDeleteIt is not clear whether the Pats like McCourty at FS full time, or if that was just an adjustment to avoid putting Sergio Brown on the field. I personally disagree with drafting a CB high in this draft. I would not put it by them to take a guy like Johnson or Thorpe in the 4th round to play CB/FS. I think that would be in addition to a second round FS. I think that Sterling Moore has great upside for an undrafted rookie at CB. I think that if they do add a CB, it will be a depth option that will have to compete for time on the field.
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