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2014 NFL Draft Prospects: Safeties

The top 2014 safety prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft. * - denotes 2015 prospect. ** - denotes 2016 prospect.

This page was last updated Sept. 19, 2012. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

2012 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | NT | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2013 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | NT | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2014 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | 3-4 DE | NT | 3-4 OLB | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma
Height: 5-10. Weight: 212.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2014): 1.
9/19/12: Jefferson has been a play-maker and leader of the Sooners' defense since he arrived in Norman. Jefferson was the Big XII Freshman of the Year in 2010. He started nine games and recorded 65 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions and seven passes broken up.

Jefferson was even better last year as a sophomore. He had 74 tackles with four interceptions, 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for a loss, three passes broken up and one forced fumble.

Jefferson is an excellent pass-defender who covers a lot of ground in the deep part of the field. He does a good job of picking up receivers running deep and has the athletic ability to play man coverage on tight ends.

Jefferson is solid in run support. The athletic and instinctive safety has a high ceiling and could be in store for another big season or two for the Sooners. Jefferson is a difference-maker and a regular generator of splash plays. He has added some bulk this offseason and that should appeal to NFL evaluators.

Eric Reid, S, LSU
Height: 6-2. Weight: 212.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.
9/19/12: Reid had a breakout 2011 season. He was part of phenomenal secondary with safety Brandon Taylor and cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu. Reid and Mathieu tied for the team lead with 76 tackles each. Reid also had two interceptions, two tackles for a loss, three passes broken up and two forced fumbles. He was a Second-Team All-SEC pick last year.

Reid stepped up and played his best football against the best competition. He had a huge game in the first contest against Alabama and was the SEC Defensive Player of the Week as he recorded six tackles with an interception and forced fumble. The sophomore safety had 11 tackles in the rematch.

Reid had 32 tackles and two interceptions as a freshman. He is a good athlete and instinctive. Additionally, Reid has good size and is a hard hitter. His job won't be easier in 2012 as Taylor and Claiborne have moved on to the NFL while Mathieu got kicked off the team. Other safeties have been exposed in similar situations, but Reid has the talent to step up.

Matt Elam, S, Florida
Height: 5-10. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2014): 1-3.
9/19/12: Elam is an underrated college football player. When watching the Gators, he really stands out as a big-time presence who is all over the field. Elam was the top recruit in the state of Florida coming out of high school, and he has been validating that standing through his tenure as a Gator.

Elam earned his first playing time as a true freshman and earned even more as the year progressed. Eventually, he started in place of disappointing junior Will Hill. Elam recorded 22 tackles in 2010 with a sack and a pass broken up. He improved in 2011 and was the best player on Florida's defense. The sophomore recorded 78 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, seven passes broken up and two forced fumbles.

Elam is a fast, instinctive playmaker defending the pass in the deep part of the field. He also operates well near the line of scrimmage and is a physical run-defender. Elam has a high ceiling and could turn into a highly-touted prospect in 2013 or 2014.

Tyrann Mathieu*, CB/S, LSU
Height: 5-9. Weight: 175.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2014): 2-4.
9/19/12: Mathieu is sitting out football this season. LSU kicked him off the team and he decided to check into a rehab facility for substance abuse issues rather than transferring down a level to play this season. Mathieu may seek to return to the Tigers for the 2013 season.

Mathieu was one of the best defensive players in college football during the 2011 season. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and had a massive impact for LSU. Mathieu plays much bigger than his measurements, and anyone who watched the team the past two seasons can't help but see that he is a pure football player with off-the-charts instinct.

Mathieu led LSU in tackles with 76 last year. The sophomore also had 7.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two interceptions and nine passes broken up. The Tigers lined him up as an outside corner, slot corner and safety. He was very dangerous in the slot. Additionally, Mathieu served as a punt returner in 2011, averaging 16 yards per return with two brought back for touchdowns.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder was been a dynamic playmaker for LSU since Day 1. Mathieu compiled 57 tackles with 8.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, seven passes broken up and two interceptions as a freshman.

Hakeem Smith, S, Louisville
Height: 6-1. Weight: 187.
Projected 40 Time: 4.56.
Projected Round (2014): 3-4.
9/19/12: Smith is a good tackler and run-defender. He was a First-Team All-Big East selection last season as a sophomore. The second-year starter had a big impact for Louisville's defense, totaling 84 tackles with nine passes broken up, three forced fumbles and one interception.

Smith broke into the lineup in 2010 and was named the Big East Rookie of the Year. He recorded 88 tackles (62 solo), six tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble.

Smith would be higher if he showed more ball skills and ability to pick off passes. Considering how potentially loaded the 2013 safety class is, he may be better off entering the 2014 NFL Draft.

Isaiah Johnson, S, Georgia Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2014): 3-4.
9/19/12: Johnson has some quickness to go along with size and physicality. He had his second straight quality season in a row for Georgia Tech in 2011. Johnson was consistent throughout his sophomore season with 78 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for a loss, one sack and three passes broken up. He had 46 tackles and three tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one sack as a true freshman.

Johnson is still developing and has some real upside heading into his junior year.

C.J. Barnett, S, Ohio State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 202.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2014): 3-5.
9/19/12: Barnett made 75 tackles with two interceptions and six passes broken up in 2011. He was solid, but unspectacular, during his first full season starting. Barnett could make strides as a junior.

Isaiah Lewis, S, Michigan State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
9/19/12: Lewis entered the starting lineup last year and had a quality season for the Spartans. The sophomore was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media. He totaled 74 tackles with four interceptions, three passes broken up and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Lewis formed a nice duo with Trenton Robinson. Lewis will have to step up on his own in 2012 now that Robinson is in the league.

Nickoe Whitley, S, Mississippi State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2014): 5-6.
9/19/12: Whitley had only 34 tackles in 2011, but he showed off some ball skills with four interceptions. The sophomore missed four games late in the season, so his production could have been even better had he stayed healthy; Whitley ruptured his Achilles' tendon against Alabama. If the junior can come back healthy in 2012 and resume his ballhawking ways, he could rise up the rankings.

Lamarcus Joyner, S, Florida State
Height: 5-8. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2014): 7-FA.
9/19/12: Joyner is an undersized safety, but was an All-ACC second-team pick in 2011. The sophomore had 54 tackles with four interceptions. The junior currently looks like a backup and special teams player at the next level.

Andy 03-14-2013 11:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.213 (total posts: 1)

Jerry(BooBoo) Gates from Bowling Green should go 5-7. He is a great cover safety and a solid run stopper. He's a ballhawk safety who every wide receiver has to watch for. He is also a great PR and has taken it to the house quite a bit with his explosive speed. Very underrated

Allen Iverson 12-14-2012 11:52 am xxx.xxx.xxx15.9 (total posts: 1)

You watch my boi Karl Joseph from WVU play? Know that defense is weak, but if they do have a strong point it is that Freshman safety keep an eye on him.. He hits hard makes stepping in front of a semi sound more appetizing than going over the middle on him.

Vince 11-12-2012 06:02 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.99 (total posts: 1)

Nat Berhe out of San Diego State should be noted as well, as a possible later round pick. He's a little undersized at 5-10 190, but will get a little bigger next year and plays huge anyway. He plays the same position that Brian Urlacher played at UNM (under coach Rocky Long).

Berhe runs about a 4.50, so he's got the speed to be a strong safety in the NFL. He has two interceptions and three pass breakups, but most impressively has 84 tackles and 2 TFL for the Mountain West leading Aztecs defense. He plays a huge role for the defense along with future third-rounder Leon McFadden. Watch out for Berhe in the 2014 Draft.

Vee-haka 10-14-2012 10:34 am xxx.xxx.xxx.181 (total posts: 1)

Where is Vinnie Sunseri on this list? He should definatly be on there no doubt

Pages: 1

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2014 NFL Draft Prospects: Safeties

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