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NEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE NFL DRAFT |
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2012 DRAFT PREVIEW: SafetiesOverview: Hard to believe that since
2005, twice as many safeties have been top 10 selections as CBs.
Granted its a small sample - 4 safeties versus just 2 corners - but
still somewhat surprising given the perception that the NFL values CBs
much more than their secondary counterparts. However, while it looks
like CB could be one of the strengths
of the 2012 draft, there could be almost as many questions as answers
at the safety position. Not that there isn't some legitimate top
prospects at safety including J.T. McDonald of Southern Cal, Miami's
Ray-Ray Armstrong and Alabama's Robert Lester, each of whom has at
least top 50 potetial, however, all three are juniors and none is
considered a certainty to enter the upcoming draft. In addition,
Miami's Armstrong is one of the Hurricanes facing a lengthy suspension
after being implicated as having received improper benefits from
incarcerated booster Neil Shapiro. There actually was a 4th junior
safety generally rated as a potential second rounder, but the immediate
football future of Tennessee's Janzen Jackson is in flux after he was
booted from the team, reportedly because of substance abuse issues.
Meanwhile, Kenny Tate of Maryland, arguably the top senior safety
prospect in the country, has a freakish size-speed combination, but the
220-pounder will play LB this fall and could end up being drafted at
that position rather the secondary.
There appears to be something of a drop-off to the next level of safeties, but there are a number of possible late second or early third day prospects at the position including Tony Dye of UCLA, Eddie Whitley of Virginia Tech, and Clemson junior Reshard Hall. For the most part, though, figure that safety is a position that most teams aren't likely going to be able to address until that later rounds. The good news, though, is that actually are a lot of veteran safeties around the country with decent size capable of being at least usefl players at the next level. Top 20 DB Prospects
If you have comments or suggestions, e-mail the Editor, Great Blue North Draft Report. The GBN can also be reached by phone at (613) 692-1088 or regular mail at 320 Shadehill Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2J 0L6.
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