2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kenny Vaccaro
 |
By Charlie Campbell
Strengths:
Instinctive
Quickness
Man-coverage ability on tight ends and slot receivers
Fluid; can flip his hips and run
Covers a lot of ground
Always around the ball
Solid run-defender
Natural playing in the box
Good height and length
Should be able to play quickly
Experienced & successful against good college talent
Good blitzer
Versatile
Athletic
Weaknesses: Rarely lined up deep
Lacks elite speed
Could be a solid pro, but not a special player
Not a physical enforcer
Summary: Safety is one of the strongest positions in the 2013 NFL Draft. There are a number of good safety prospects who could be had on the second day of the draft with some potential for depth into the third day. Considering that there are a lot of good safety prospects, it is saying something for Vaccaro to be considered the best of the class.
Vaccaro broke into the starting lineup as a junior and made his presence felt. He had 67 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, seven passes broken up and two interceptions. Vaccaro was an All-Big XII First-Team pick in 2011.
Vaccaro was even better in 2012 as he totaled 92 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, five passes defensed, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He also had some nice pass rushes on blitzes while leading Texas in tackles. The intelligent play-maker had a very strong season in which he displayed good instincts and range.
One of Vaccaro's most intriguing assets for the NFL is his ability to cover tight ends and slot receivers. Offenses have had a lot of success moving the ball and generating points with play-makers out of those positions, so he has a big appeal to a number of teams.
One prominent talent evaluator told WalterFootball.com that they don't see Vaccaro's play matching the hype he's received. That evaluator prefers some of the second-day safeties over Vaccaro. The source also said they think Vaccaro is a good player, but don't see anything truly special with him.
A big concern to some scouts is Vaccaro rarely played deep. Texas kept him in or near the tackle box. Many teams want their safeties to be interchangeable with the ability to play deep or near the line of scrimmage.
Despite those concerns, Vaccaro is still the consensus top safety in the 2013 NFL Draft and likely to be selected in the top 20. His skills to cover tight ends and slot receivers in man coverage trumps the other negatives. That ability is in serious demand in the NFL.
Vaccaro should be able to start quickly if not immediately at the next level. He will probably start out handling responsibilities that are considered to be more of a strong safety. Over time, Vaccaro should have the speed and athletic ability to become a quality defender in the deep part of the field. He should turn into a solid pro who has the upside to potentially be a pro bowler.
Player Comparison: Eric Weddle. There is a key similarity between Vaccaro and Weddle. Like Weddle, Vaccaro has the ability to cover slot receivers and tight ends. Neither Weddle or Vaccaro is overly physical laying the lumber on receivers downfield. However, both can be impact players in pass coverage.
Weddle has been selected as an All-Pro three times and has gone to the Pro Bowl. Weddle (5-11, 200) is slightly smaller than Vaccaro, and Weddle was a second-round pick in 2007, while Vaccaro figures to be a first-round pick. Plus, Vaccaro rarely lined up deep while Weddle does that often for San Diego. In the NFL, Vaccaro could turn into a player comparable to Weddle.
NFL Matches: Carolina, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Cincinnati, New England
There are lot of teams in the first round that are in need of safety help. The highest that Vaccaro could probably hope to go is to the Panthers at the 14th pick. Carolina had some of the worst safety play in the NFL in 2012. Salary-cap restrictions have kept the Panthers from bringing anything other than bargain-basement players in to compete at safety. In this deep safety draft, Carolina is more likely to address a different need early and take a safety later on.
The Rams need to improve their safety play and could consider drafting Vaccaro at pick No. 15 or pick No. 22. St. Louis could get a nice value by landing the top-rated safety in the middle of the first round.
The Steelers could use some talent at safety next to the oft-injured Troy Polamalu. A player like Vaccaro would help Pittsburgh's defense stay more consistent when Polamalu is out of the lineup.
Dallas has had safety issues for years. The team needs reliable and effective safeties to make Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 system work, but in previous years, Kiffin always used mid-round safeties in his defense.
Many believe that Vaccaro won't fall past the Bengals at pick No. 21. Cincinnati needs a safety to pair with Reggie Nelson. Vaccaro would be a good scheme fit.
If Vaccaro falls to the end of the first round, New England would make sense. The Patriots need safety help and have made it a habit to target defensive backs in the first and second round.
RELATED LINKS:
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 16
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
Weaknesses:
Summary: Safety is one of the strongest positions in the 2013 NFL Draft. There are a number of good safety prospects who could be had on the second day of the draft with some potential for depth into the third day. Considering that there are a lot of good safety prospects, it is saying something for Vaccaro to be considered the best of the class.
Vaccaro broke into the starting lineup as a junior and made his presence felt. He had 67 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, seven passes broken up and two interceptions. Vaccaro was an All-Big XII First-Team pick in 2011.
Vaccaro was even better in 2012 as he totaled 92 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, five passes defensed, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He also had some nice pass rushes on blitzes while leading Texas in tackles. The intelligent play-maker had a very strong season in which he displayed good instincts and range.
One of Vaccaro's most intriguing assets for the NFL is his ability to cover tight ends and slot receivers. Offenses have had a lot of success moving the ball and generating points with play-makers out of those positions, so he has a big appeal to a number of teams.
One prominent talent evaluator told WalterFootball.com that they don't see Vaccaro's play matching the hype he's received. That evaluator prefers some of the second-day safeties over Vaccaro. The source also said they think Vaccaro is a good player, but don't see anything truly special with him.
A big concern to some scouts is Vaccaro rarely played deep. Texas kept him in or near the tackle box. Many teams want their safeties to be interchangeable with the ability to play deep or near the line of scrimmage.
Despite those concerns, Vaccaro is still the consensus top safety in the 2013 NFL Draft and likely to be selected in the top 20. His skills to cover tight ends and slot receivers in man coverage trumps the other negatives. That ability is in serious demand in the NFL.
Vaccaro should be able to start quickly if not immediately at the next level. He will probably start out handling responsibilities that are considered to be more of a strong safety. Over time, Vaccaro should have the speed and athletic ability to become a quality defender in the deep part of the field. He should turn into a solid pro who has the upside to potentially be a pro bowler.
Player Comparison: Eric Weddle. There is a key similarity between Vaccaro and Weddle. Like Weddle, Vaccaro has the ability to cover slot receivers and tight ends. Neither Weddle or Vaccaro is overly physical laying the lumber on receivers downfield. However, both can be impact players in pass coverage.
Weddle has been selected as an All-Pro three times and has gone to the Pro Bowl. Weddle (5-11, 200) is slightly smaller than Vaccaro, and Weddle was a second-round pick in 2007, while Vaccaro figures to be a first-round pick. Plus, Vaccaro rarely lined up deep while Weddle does that often for San Diego. In the NFL, Vaccaro could turn into a player comparable to Weddle.
NFL Matches: Carolina, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Cincinnati, New England
There are lot of teams in the first round that are in need of safety help. The highest that Vaccaro could probably hope to go is to the Panthers at the 14th pick. Carolina had some of the worst safety play in the NFL in 2012. Salary-cap restrictions have kept the Panthers from bringing anything other than bargain-basement players in to compete at safety. In this deep safety draft, Carolina is more likely to address a different need early and take a safety later on.
The Rams need to improve their safety play and could consider drafting Vaccaro at pick No. 15 or pick No. 22. St. Louis could get a nice value by landing the top-rated safety in the middle of the first round.
The Steelers could use some talent at safety next to the oft-injured Troy Polamalu. A player like Vaccaro would help Pittsburgh's defense stay more consistent when Polamalu is out of the lineup.
Dallas has had safety issues for years. The team needs reliable and effective safeties to make Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 system work, but in previous years, Kiffin always used mid-round safeties in his defense.
Many believe that Vaccaro won't fall past the Bengals at pick No. 21. Cincinnati needs a safety to pair with Reggie Nelson. Vaccaro would be a good scheme fit.
If Vaccaro falls to the end of the first round, New England would make sense. The Patriots need safety help and have made it a habit to target defensive backs in the first and second round.
|
Tyler
03-26-2013
03:27 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.112
(total posts: 1)
 8
 23
Elite front 7 ha... ok fine elite Front 7? 4-3 Scheme MLB Patrick Willis ROLB Demarcus ware LOLB Aldon Smith RE Haloti Ngata DT1 Geno atkins (13.5 sacks..... WOW) DT2 Henrie melton (Bears DT) LE Julius peppers (These is the most elite 4-3 scheme i could come up wit even though The linebackers play in the 3-4) Ok so youd rather have This front seven compared to say This secondary FS:Eric Weddle SS:Dashan Goldson CB1:Darrel Revis (when healthy) CB2: Antonio cromatie (Hey he was in the 2nd ranked pass defense WITHOUT revis so ya....hes good) Id rather have the secondary. Its a passing league my friend..... Although im pretty sure i just came up with the best defense ever. (well from the past 2 seasons) Richard sherman is an overrated dude who has 3 pro bowlers around him. Revis Obviously had talent around him.... (2nd pass ranked defense Yes im sure its the jets) But revis is better anyway You want the secondary over an ELITE 4-3 front seven. Oh and heres my dream offense since im here QB:Rodgers RB:Peterson WR1: Calvin johnson WR2:A.J Green WR:3 Vincent Jackson TE1: Rob gronkowski.... LT:Joe thomas LG: Carl Nicks C:Mangold RG:Yanda RT:Andre smith
Ya Johnson,peterson,rodgers..... 3 best players on the same team.... Rodgers would torch you and peterson would run for 2,000 yards becuase rodgers destroyed secondarys with johnson and green.... Id just forfeit the game.... This offense and defense would be unstoppable....
Micah
03-25-2013
09:53 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.80
(total posts: 1)
8
8
I have been saying this about Montes scheme for months, he doesnt need 1st rounders at safety he would rather have a elite front 7
dick
03-11-2013
09:09 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.254
(total posts: 1)
9
9
*/*/*
03-10-2013
02:22 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8
)'"(
03-10-2013
02:22 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
54
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
9
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8
gui9a2f8f
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
9
8
ghilnru42
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8
gui9a2f8f
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8
03-10-2013
02:10 am
xxx.xxx.xxx9.43
(total posts: 12)
8
8 |
RELATED LINKS:
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 16
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2013 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9
Leave a comment