A Closer Look at the 2016 Safety Class

Tyvis Powell vs Michigan State

Am1yWv_3wlk

~21 Snaps

1 @ Center Field FS
1 in the Box
Rest of plays were Half Field FS/Cover 2

Stats:
9 tackles
1 Tight coverage on TE 47s



Negatives:
o 3:01s over ran RB towards sideline, tried to reach back for arm tackle missed
o a couple plays where he couldn't get off blocks

Clips:
1:08 CF make up tackle on sideline after CB misses, brings arms to wrap
3:41 fills lane, fights through block from WR knocks RB back with contact uses arms to wrap


+15

I'll start with Kevin Byard....

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/04/04/draft-pff-scouting-report-kevin-byard-s-middle-tennessee/

Position fit:
Free safety in any scheme.

Stats to know:
Notched seven pass breakups and four interceptions, earning him the seventh-best coverage grade in the class.

What he does best:
• Looks to have the best range and ability in the deep middle of the field of any of the top safety prospects. Can be the elusive single-high free safety that many NFL defenses are looking for
• Has excellent ball skills and can pick the ball off, adjusting to it in flight. Has the school record with 19 interceptions, notching four of them this past season
• Takes good angles to the ball and the pass, and looks comfortable in space with more than enough athleticism to make plays
• Speed. Was able to run down Kenyan Drake in the open field to save a touchdown against Alabama

Biggest concern:
• Not a box safety. Came up quickly but would often take poor angles, miss tackles, or somehow conspire to avoid making the play. A sufficient tackler when he gets close enough to attempt one (only five misses in 2015), but can be beaten by a quick step easily.
• Questions about competition. Playing for Middle Tennessee State in Conference USA, there was a lack of high-level passing attacks on his schedule, and wasn’t a standout (either way) at the Senior Bowl
• More of a zone coverage player than one that can match up in man against receivers, even backs and tight ends. Will need to play off the line and cover space, not players

Player comparison: Reggie Nelson, free agent. Reggie Nelson has a similar size profile to Byard, though is giving up a significant amount of weight to the Middle Tennessee State product. Like Byard though, Nelson is at his best in coverage but has the ability to be solid against the run, and is not a player you want in man coverage against receivers down field. Byard has that kind of ability in a safety-starved league.

Bottom line: Kevin Byard might be one of the few players in this draft capable of playing the Earl Thomas role as a single-high deep-lying free safety. He may not have Earl Thomas range or ability, but neither does anybody else trying to occupy that space in NFL defenses right now. He does have a good nose for the ball and the ability to understand route concepts and passing threats from that alignment and influence the play in a way most can’t. In a league crying out for players to play in that position, Byard is one of the few in this draft class with the potential to pull it off.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2016/04/06/a-closer-look-at-karl-joseph-an-nfl-draft-prospect-the-redskins-could-select/

this guy is good. Pretty good scouting report on Karl Joseph...looks solid if healthy

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2016/04/07/a-closer-look-at-keanu-neal-an-nfl-draft-prospect-the-redskins-could-select/

Another scouting report from WP on the safety position. This time with Keanu Neal from Florida

I'll start with Kevin Byard:
+16/17

He kept his recently improved time under wraps and on Thursday, Byard clocked a a 4.49 and 4.5 in front of several NFL scouts.

MTSU's Kevin Byard improves 40 time on pro day (http://www.dnj.com/story/sports/college/mtsu/2016/03/31/mtsus-kevin-byard-quiets-critics-pro-day/82473152/)

I think Kev is going way earlier then people think

Safety:

Karl Joseph
Kevin Byard
Justin Simmons
Tyvis Powell
KJ Dillon
TJ Green
Sean Davis
Darian Thompson
Vonn Bell
Keanu Neal
Jeremy Cash
Jayron Kearse
Killebrew