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2013 DRAFT PREVIEW: Safeties

Overview: Safety is often thought of as one of the poor cousins on draft day, however, the truth of the matter is that since 2006 one more safety (5) has been a top 10 selection than the comparitive number for CBs (4). And it appears that the safety class for the upcoming draft will be relatively talented, but maybe not that deep. It may also be a stretch for anyone at the position to be a top 10 selection, although Southern Cal veteran T.J. McDonald and LSU junior Eric Reid may not be that far off as both should at least get some mid-first round consideration. McDonald, the son of former USC All-America safety Tim McDonald who went on to a productive 13-year NFL career, isn't going to blow away anyone with his measurables, but he is a solid two-way player with good enough size and speed as well as top-end football smarts and instincts. Same for Reid, who isn't a burner either, but is a physical player with excellent instincts and range.

There appears to be something of a drop-off to the next level of safeties, but there are a number of possible mid-to-late second day prospects at the position including Kenny Vaccaro of Texas, Baccari Rambo of Georgia, and Oklahoma junior Tony Jefferson, while Shawn Williams of Georgia, juniors C.J. Barnett of Ohio State and Matt Elam of Florida and John Boyett of Oregon have early third-day potential.

The upcoming safety class has also taken some hits of late. Former Miami FS Ray-Ray Armstrong, for example, has the physical tools to be a factor in the latter part of the opening round, but he'll be making his case at NAIA Faulkner after being kicked off the Miami team following a third incident involving potential improper benefits contact. Meanwhile, UGA's Rambo, who some have compared - at least physically - to former Alabama FS Mark Barron, the 7th player taken at the 2012 draft, will sit out the first 4 games of the upcoming season for violating the school’s drug policy, although he claims its all a misunderstanding that resulted when he inadvertently ate a brownie with pot in it. Whatever, there'll be some further explanation required at pre-draft team interviews.
Top 20 DB Prospects

#	Player	H/W	School	CL	#	Player	H/W	School	CL
1	T.J. McDonald	6-2, 205	Southern California	SR	11	John Boyett	5-10, 205	Oregon	SR
2	Eric Reid	6-2, 210	LSU	JR	12	D. J. Swearinger	6-0, 210	South Carolina	SR
3	Kenny Vaccaro	6-1, 215	Texas	SR	13	Jarred Holley	5-10, 190	Pittsburgh	SR`
4	Robert Lester	6-2, 210	LSU	SR	14	Prentiss Waggner	6-1, 180	Tennessee	SR
5	Baccari Rambo	6-0, 220	Georgia	SR	15	Jahleel Addae	5-10, 195	Central Michigan	SR
6	Tony Jefferson	5-10, 210	Oklahoma	JR	16	NBrandon Bishop	6-10, 210	North Carolina State	SR
7	Ray-Ray Armstrong	6-3, 215	Faulkner	JR	17	Drew Frey	6-2, 210	Cincinnati	SR
8	Shawn Williams	6-0, 220	Georgia	SR	18	Malcolm Bronson	5-11, 195	McNeese State	SR
9	C.J. Barnett	6-0, 205	Ohio State	JR	19	Vaughn Telemaque	6-2, 210	Miami	SR
10	Matt Elam	5-11, 215	Florida	JR	20	Daimion Stafford	6-1, 210	Nebraska	SR

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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