Most To Prove

This is the player who has the most to prove away from the field, whether it's during the interview process, medical examinations, or even the weigh-ins.

Marquise Blair, Utah

I really enjoy watching Blair on film because he's one of the most violent defensive backs I've studied in the last couple of years. This guy LOVES to lay the wood. He is, however, extremely undersized. At the Senior Bowl, the two-year starter checked in at 6-1 1/2, which is a good height, but at just 180 pounds. For some context, no safety has been drafted in the last 10 years weighing fewer than 184 pounds. Ahmad Black (2011) and former Eagles draft pick Blake Countess (2016) both checked in at that weight pre-draft, but were both under 5-10. Can Blair add on more weight? Will he check in bigger in Indianapolis? How will he run and move with the extra weight, and will he be able to keep it on? I really like his film, but it's a question evaluators will ask.

Most Productive College Player

This is the player who produced at the highest level, either in his final year in college or throughout his entire career.

Juan Thornhill, Virginia

No safety at the Combine from the FBS level has more ball disruptions (interceptions and pass breakups) than Thornhill, one of my favorite safeties in this class. The senior began his career at corner and slowly made the transition to safety, where his ballhawking skills were put on full display in his final year on campus. Thornhill reminds me a lot of Chicago Bears star Eddie Jackson. The former Virginia star is instinctive, athletic, versatile, tough, and a great kid away from the field. He's about as "safe" as it gets, at least in my mind, when evaluating players making the transition to the NFL in this class.

Best Pro Comparison

Comparing draft prospects to NFL players is tough, but here's a player with the easiest picture to paint when looking at their NFL future through my eyes.

Amani Hooker, Iowa

I just studied Hooker for the first time Wednesday morning, and he's an intriguing player for sure. A two-year starter at strong safety, the junior actually spent half of his final season playing as a quasi-linebacker for the Hawkeyes. He's lined up all over the place for that defense. He's a very smart zone coverage player and someone who I believe will be able to do numerous things in different subpackages in the NFL. I do think, however, his best value comes in a middle-of-the-field role. For that reason, he reminds me a lot of former Eagles safety and current Patriots starter Patrick Chung. He's a bit undersized and a bit unassuming as an athlete, but he's smart, tough, versatile, and has a good feel for playing in coverage.

Best Story

Let's face it, all of these players have great stories to tell, but which guy has taken the most unbelievable journey to get to this point in their career? Here's the one that has caught my eyes (and ears) the most.

Sheldrick Redwine, Miami

A two-year starter at free safety for the Hurricanes, Redwine is another player with impressive eye discipline in zone coverage. He also has the range to play the post in the NFL. His teammate, Jaquan Johnson, was viewed by analysts as a potential first-round pick entering the season, but I had my eyes more set on Redwine. Fun fact, though. Johnson and Redwine weren't just a safety pair in college, as they both starred together in high school as well and were a part of the same recruiting class to The U. A career safety in South Beach, Redwine went to the Senior Bowl and proved his versatility, participating in the week of practice as a cornerback. He's an interesting name to keep a close eye on moving forward.

Small-School Standout

This is the player who comes from a lower level of competition (outside of the Power 5 conferences) but still has a very bright future in the NFL.

Andrew Wingard, Wyoming

No safety drafted in the last decade has recorded more tackles than Wingard, who posted 454 tackles in 50 starts for the Cowboys, an average of just over nine tackles a game! There will be some analysts who question his athleticism, and that's fair, but Wingard is a very instinctive player with high-level competitive traits and a strong ability to finish tackles one-on-one. He has the makings of an outstanding special teams player in the NFL.

Philly Connection

This is the player with a special tie to the City of Brotherly Love or to the Eagles who you should keep a close eye on in Indianapolis.

Nasir Adderley, Delaware

Wingard isn't the top small-school safety in this draft, however, as that moniker belongs to Adderley, the Philadelphia native who made the short drive south to Delaware to play his college ball. A four-year starter for the Blue Hens, Adderley began his career at corner but made the switch to safety going into his junior season. He's a strong athlete for the position, can play the ball really well in the air, plays every special teams unit, and offers versatility on the back end. The senior has gotten some first-round buzz, but keep a closer eye on him on the second day of the draft.

Mr. Average