More information than you need about the 2012 NFL Draft: Safeties’ Edition

Numbers marked with an (*) are non-NFL Combine numbers.  Statistics released by NFL.com have been given precedence in all matters, although there seem to be significant discrepancies still.  This is an attempt to sort out a few of the numbers.

Safeties

NAME, School/University: Height & Weight – Arm, Hand Measure;

(Significant Notes).

Forty yard dash [Ten yard split], Three cone drill, Twenty yard shuttle, Sixty yard shuttle; Vertical jump, Broad jump; Bench press at 225 lbs.

Free Safeties

HARRISON SMITH, Notre Dame: 6’1 213 – 32.6″, 10.3″;

• (four year starter, senior captain)
• 4.57 [4.56*], 6.63, 4.12..; 34″, 122″; 19 reps

Impressive performance at the combine where he ‘moved like a cornerback’ bodes well for teams considering a cover safety.  Probably Harrison will be targeted in the late second/early third round.

JANZEN JACKSON, McNeese State: 5’11 193 – 31″, 9.4″;

• (transferred after starting two years at Tennessee)
• 4.64, 6.90, 4.15..; 36.5″, 125″; 9 reps

GEORGE ILOKA, Boise State: 6’3 (6’3.5*) 216 (226*) – 34.5″, 9.6″;

• 4.66 [4.59*], 7.03, 4.03, 11.75; 34.5″, 124″; 20 reps

Very long-armed, tall player who displayed some excellent movement abilities.

TRENTON (TRENT) ROBINSON, Michigan State: 5’10 197 – 31.5″,9.8″;

• 4.52 (4.43*) [4.42*], (7.08*),4.15 (4.28*)..; 35″, 125″; 15 reps

MARKELLE MARTIN, Oklahoma State: 6’0 202 – 32″, 9.3″;

• ….;..; 19 reps

JOHNNY THOMAS, Oklahoma State: 5’11 202 – 32.5″, 9.8″;

• (sat out a year for disciplinary reasons, good positional awareness)
• 4.63 (4.57*) [4.56*], 7.01, 4.25..; 35.5″, 123″; 20 reps

PHILLIP THOMAS, Syracuse: 5’11 192 – 32.1″, 10.5″;

• 4.74…; 33″, 122″; 14 reps

CHRISTIAN THOMPSON, South Carolina State: 6’0 213 – 31.5″, 8.4″;

• 4.50, 7.33, 4.13, 11.72; 31.5″, 122″; 18 reps

Strong Safeties

MARK BARRON, Alabama: 6’1 223 – 33.6″, 9.5″;

• (two time All American, three time All SEC)
• 4.55* [4.56*]…; [34.5″*], [122″*];

ANTONIO ALLEN, South Carolina: 6’2 202 – 32.5″, 9.4″;

• (box safety)
• 4.67 (4.61*) [4.58*], 7.02, 4.25, 11.59; 34″, 118″; 17 reps

DUKE IHENACHO, San Jose State: 6’0 203 – 32.8″, 9.3″;

• (good run defender)
• 4.68, 6.78, 4.22..; 35″, 122″; 20 reps

SEAN CATTOUSE, Cal: 6’3 218 – 33″, 9.5″;

• (good man cover safety)
• 4.74 (4.68*) [1.65*], 6.99 (6.91*), 4.15 (4.12*)..; 34″ (36″*), 114″ (124″*);

JERRON MCMILLIAN, Maine: 5’11 203 – 30.6″, 9.4″;

• (physical presence against the run best suited to play in the box)
• 4.56 [4.35*], 6.69, 4.22..; 36.5″ [39″*], 120″ [126″*]; 17 reps

CYHL QUARLES, Wake Forest: 6’1 208 – 32″, 9.4″;

• (three year starter)
• 4.62, 7.21, 4.32..; 32.5″, 119″; 19 reps

CHARLES MITCHELL, Mississippi State: 5’11 202 – 30.3″, 9.5″;

• (three year starter)
• 4.63 (4.55*) [4.52*], 6.93 (6.99*), 4.22 (4.32*), 11.78; 37″ (37.5*), 127″ (125″*); 19 reps

EDWARD (EDDIE) PLEASANT, Oregon: 5’10 211 – 31″, 9.3″;

• 4.63, 7.12, 4.28..; 33.5″, 116″; 22 reps

SEANDRE (SEAN) RICHARDSON, Vanderbilt: 6’2 216 – 32.6″, 9.1″;

• (despite measurables, was a box safety at Vandy who struggled in man coverage)
• 4.52 [4.47*], 7.01 (6.90*), 4.44 (4.19*)..; 38.5″, 128″; 22 reps

BRANDON TAYLOR, LSU: 5’11 202 – 31.3″, 9.5″;

• (three year starter, effective in the box; brother, Curtis, played on LSU’s national title team and was drafted by 49ers; wore #18)
• 4.58, 7.32, 4.37..; 33.5″, 118″;

DELANO HOWELL, Stanford: 6’2 (5’10.9*) 202 – 32.3″, 8.9″;

• (high school quarterback)
• 4.54 (4.51*) [4.50*], 7.00 (7.00*), 4.29 (4.20*), 11.56; 30.5″ (38.5″*), 122″ (121″*); 12 reps [21 reps*]

6’2 or 5’11?  I realize I’m probably alone on this, but I am at a serious loss as to how there can be such a large margin for error in what ought to be a very simple measurement.

On the important end, Gil Brandt states that he had a good workout and I at least believe that.

JUSTIN BETHEL, Presbyterian: 6’0 200 – 32.4″, 9.8″;

• (four year starter)
• 4.58, 6.79, 4.30..; 39.5″, 131″; 19 reps

WINSTON GUY, Kentucky: 6’1 218 – 33″, 9″;

• (converted from corner to safety to linebacker at Kentucky)
• 4.70…;..;

KELCIE MCCRAY, Arkansas State: 5’11 (6’1.8″*) 210 (196*) – 31.1″, 9.1″;

• 4.65 [4.47*], 6.97 (7.30*), 4.15 (4.33*)..; 33″ (33.5″*), 120″ (122″*); 21 reps

Seriously, NFL.com….How can he possibly be 5’11 at the combine, but Gil Brandt says he measures 6’1 3/4″?!  Oh, the simulated outrage quivering through my fingertips just now.

Not Invited to the NFL Combine

D.J. CAMPBELL, Cal: 6’0* 201*

• (Gil Brandt considers him a second round pick)
• 4.51* [1.65*], 7.08*, 4.22*..; 38″*, 127″*; 22 reps*

NEIKO THORPE, Auburn: 6’1.3* 198*

• 4.43*, 7.19*, 4.28*..; 38″*, 137″*; 4 reps*

AARON HENRY, Wisconsin: 6’0* 203*

• 4.52* [4.50*], 6.98, 4.31*..; 39.5″*, 116″*; 16 reps*

MATT MERLETTI, UNC: 5’10* 200* – [30″*]

• 4.59* [4.55*], 6.55*, 4.27*..; 31.5″*..; 31 reps*

JOSH BUSH, Wake Forest: 5’11* 208*

• 4.51* [4.50*], 7.02*, 4.45*..; 33.5″*, 115″*; 18 reps*

CHRISTIAN SCOTT, Texas: 6’0* 220*

• [4.60*]…;..;

MICHAEL THOMAS, Stanford:

• 4.56*…; 38″*..;

TRAVIS UALE, Brigham Young: 6’2* 208*

• 4.67* [4.65*], 6.89*, 4.18*..; 36″*, 121″*; 16 reps*

TREVOR COSTON, Maine: 5’10* 200*

• [4.41*]…; [43″*], [125″*]; [6 reps*]

TAVON WILSON, Illinois: 5’11* 205*

• [4.50*]…; [32″*], [124″*]; [17 reps*]

Safeties are generally more difficult to project.  After Mark Barron, Harrison Smith, and perhaps, D.J. Campbell, a few of these names should come off the board in the third round and more should follow as teams try to add depth in an attempt to counter the receiving tight end upsurge.  Brandon Taylor and Justin Bethel are likely to make the most of their situations.  I’d like to believe in Richardson almost solely because he enters by way of Vandy, but only time can tell.