2017 NFL Draft Prospects: Safeties

By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.

The top 2017 Safety prospects available for the 2017 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2018 prospect. ** – denotes 2019 prospect.

This page was last updated April 26, 2017. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Malik Hooker**, S, Ohio State
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 206. Arm: 33.25.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
   Projected Round (2017): Top-16 Pick.
   4/26/17: WalterFootball.com was first to report that Hooker would be out 4-6 months after surgeries to repair a hernia and labrum injury. That could cause Hooker to slide some in the first round and maybe not be the first safety selected. The injury kept Hooker from working out at the combine. The injury and 1-year of starting experience are the only factors weighing down Hooker’s draft stock.
   
   Hooker was one of the breakout draft prospects in 2016. He totaled 74 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, .5 sacks, four passes broken up and seven interceptions with three returned for touchdowns on the season.
   
   The evaluators who love Hooker feel he is a safety who can do it all. In coverage, he is fast and athletic with the skills to defend the deep part of the field. Sources also say Hooker has the length and strength to play in the tackle box. They also like how Hooker drives down on the ball. They feel he is a fast, rangy defender with good ball skills. He is a true single-high center fielder to make big plays in the deep part of the field.
   
   Two top national scouts from NFC teams said that Hooker’s skill set is the best they’ve seen from a safety since Eric Berry. They like Hooker more than Jamal Adams or Jabrill Peppers. One scout said, in his opinion, Hooker is an elite safety prospect comparable to Ed Reed or the late Sean Taylor. Many in the scouting community feel that Taylor was the best of the best in terms of safety prospects this century. Multiple teams graded Hooker as a top-10 pick, and others have him as a top-20 selection.
   
   Numerous teams have Hooker as their their top-rated safety for the 2017 NFL Draft. However, he may not be the first safety off the board because of his injury.



2. Jamal Adams*, S, LSU
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 214. Arm: 33.38.
   40 Time: 4.56.
   Projected Round (2017): Top-16 Pick.
   4/26/17: Adams is a natural strong safety who also has the speed and athleticism to cover. He could help defend against tight ends and receivers in the middle of the field. With his range, strength and instincts, Adams could be an impact-maker for his defense. He is very good at being the eighth man in the box and shutting down running games. Most teams prefer Malik Hooker over Adams, but Hooker’s surgeries could lead to Adams being the first safety drafted and a top-10 pick.
   
   Adams had 76 tackles with four passes broken and one interception in 2016. Early on, the junior made some nice plays, but wasn’t as big of a presence as in 2015. That changed around mid-season as Adams turned in superb games against Ole Miss and Alabama. He helped shut down Rebels receiving tight end Evan Engram and was all over the field against Alabama with an interception, clutch tackles and big plays on special teams.
   
   8/20/16: In 2015, Adams had 67 tackles with six passes broken up and four interceptions. As a freshman, he had 66 tackles with five pass breakups. Adams has versatile size and brings a real presence to the Tigers’ defense. He is an instinctive defender who always seems to be around the ball.
   
   In pass coverage, Adams is extremely instinctive. He is very good at covering a lot of ground and helping his cornerbacks over the top. The junior is a reliable last line of defense. Adams is adept at reading a quarterback’s eyes and breaking on the ball. By being around the ball so much, Adams puts himself in position to make a lot of big plays. He has good hands and ball skills to create interceptions, particularly. In zone coverage, Adams is very dangerous as he uses his instincts and intelligence to get in position to affect passing routes.
   
   In run defense, Adams is a reliable tackler who flies around the field. He will come downhill and pop running backs in the tackle box or on the perimeter. Adams is a reliable tackler and doesn’t miss a lot of plays because he is going for knockout blows.
   
   I think Adams will be a dangerous weapon in the NFL and could be a potential Pro Bowl safety. He has the versatility to play in all parts of the field. With his pass-coverage skills, speed, athleticism and instincts, Adams could be a difference-maker.





3. Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 219. Arm: 32.63. Hand: 8.75.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
   Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
   4/26/17: Every year, there are some size/speed freaks who rise up draft boards, and Melifonwu is one of those prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft. He has great size and also is a fast defender. Melifonwu was superb at the Senior Bowl as he showed real coverage skills in the passing game and looked good being the deep free safety. He is not tight and has the ability to contribute in man coverage while also having the size to be the eighth man in the tackle box. Melifonwu created a real buzz and could go off the board late in the first round.
   
   Some teams think Melifonwu can play cornerback, and some even had him work outs at cornerback. They feel Melifonwu is a great option to defend big receivers like Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin because Melifonwu is as big as they are but is faster and more athletic. He has the size and strength to be the eight man in the box with the speed and ball skills to be a deep free safety. He also can play man coverage on tight ends. Thus because of his size, speed and athleticism, teams view Melifonwu as a mismatch neutralizer.
   
   Melifonwu totaled 118 tackles with three passes broken up and four interceptions in 2016. As a junior in 2015, he had 88 tackles with two interceptions and five passes broken up.



4. Jabrill Peppers*, S, Michigan
   Height: 5-11. Weight: 213. Arm: 30.75.
   40 Time: 4.46.
   Projected Round (2017): 1-2.
   4/26/17: Peppers had a good 2016 season for Michigan with 72 tackles, 16 for a loss, four sacks and one forced fumble. He was phenomenal on punt returns. Peppers also contributed on offense with 17 carries for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
   
   The media has been busy overhyping Peppers to a degree. In speaking to NFL evaluators, they think Peppers is a great athlete who has some deficiencies in pass coverage. That is evidenced by his one interception during his entire career. Sources say they are projecting Peppers to be a hybrid dime linebacker and safety, similar to Arizona’s Deone Bucannon. Peppers could go in the middle to late portion of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but slipping to Round 2 is possible.
   
   8/20/16: Some scouts tell WalterFootball.com that their early impression of Peppers is that he is a better athlete than Jalen Ramsey, the fifth-overall pick to the Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft. Peppers mainly played strong safety for Michigan in 2015, totaling 45 tackles with 10 passes broken up. On offense, he was a gadget player with 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. Peppers also had eight receptions for 79 yards. He averaged 11.4 yards per punt return as well.
   
   I feel that Peppers, as a defensive back, is a better fit as a safety than a corner. He has some instincts and is quick to diagnosis rushing plays. Peppers is also a physical tackler and doesn’t hesitate to run into the scrum to make a tackle. In pass coverage, he has played a variety of techniques. Peppers has played some press-man cornerback on the outside, some off-man coverage over slot receivers, some off-man coverage against tight ends, and some zone coverage in the middle of the field. Michigan hasn’t lined him up deep as a free safety, however. As a press-man corner, Peppers has the skills to battle big possession receivers. He looks a little slow to react in off-man coverage to flip his hips and run, so he can be caught flat-footed. There have been times when slot receivers and tight ends achieved some separation because of that.
   
   I think Peppers is more of a safety for the NFL as well. With some development, I think he could be a nice weapon to be a strong safety who also contributes to playing man coverage against pass-receiving tight ends. Peppers is a good tackler and willing run defender, so playing in or around the tackle box shouldn’t be a problem for him.





5. Budda Baker*, S, Washington
   Height: 5-10. Weight: 195. Arm: 30.63.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
   Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
   4/26/17: In 2016, Baker had 71 tackles with two interceptions and six passes broken up. He needs to get stronger to tackle in the NFL, but he is a fast safety who flies around the field. Baker has the ability to help in pass coverage and is a willing tackler in the ground game. He is a physical defender who throws his body around and also could play some cornerback on slot receivers. Baker ran well at the combine, and teams really like Baker as a player, but they have concerns about his size and ability to hold up in the NFL. Thus, there are a lot of comparisons to Baker being the next Bob Sanders.
   
   8/20/16: In 2015, Baker recorded 49 tackles with seven passes broken up and two interceptions. He had 80 tackles, six pass breakups and an interception as a freshman.



6. Marcus Maye, S, Florida
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 210. Arm: 32.5.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
   Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
   4/26/17: In 2016, Maye recorded 50 tackles with one interception and six passes broken up. His season ended early due to a broken left arm.
   
   In many games over his career, Maye made a lot of impressive plays, but also would bust here or there and hurt his team with a huge play. He was often the last line of defense, so when he had a bust, it led to points for the offense. Maye also made a number of touchdown-saving tackles.
   
   Sources say they like Maye, but that he frustrates them with his tendency to give up some plays he shouldn’t allow to happen. They say he is athletic with decent range, good in coverage underneath in the short area, and a nice fit in the box against the run. His off-man coverage against tight ends, on the other hand, they label as not great. Too much space for Maye is a bad thing as he struggles going backward. He is at his best coming forward in the short area. Multiple teams have said they graded Maye in the second round.
   
   8/20/16: Maye totaled 82 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions in 2015. He was a solid free safety for Florida and generally a good deep center fielder, but he had an ugly performance against Alabama in the SEC Championship and didn’t finish well against Michigan in the bowl game. Sources say Maye has good free safety pass-coverage potential for the NFL, but has some kinks to work out.
   
   After a rough start to 2014, Maye showed some improvement as a starter over the course of the year. He was put in some man situations in Will Muschamp’s defense and didn’t perform all that well, but he finished the year well. Maye recorded 62 tackles with an interception and five passes broken up that season.



7. Josh Jones*, S, N.C. State
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 220. Arm: 32.
   40 Time: 4.41.
   Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
   4/26/17: Jones was a solid player for the Wolfpack during the past three seasons. He is a strong safety type for the NFL and plays with an aggressive and relentless nature. Jones ran fast times at the combine, and some safety-needy teams are considering Jones as an option on Day 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft. Team sources believe hJonese could go in the second round and won’t fall out of the third.
   
   Jones collected 109 tackles with eight passes batted and three interceptions as a junior before deciding to skip his senior year. He had 63 tackles as a sophomore and 56 stops in 2014. Jones snagged four interceptions as a redshirt freshman.





8. Marcus Williams, S, Utah
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 202. Arm: 32.5.
   40 Time: 4.56.
   Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
   4/26/17: Williams had a quality 2016 season with 64 tackles, three passes broken up, five interceptions and two forced fumbles. He put together a tremendous 2015 season for the Utes with five interceptions, five passes broken up and 66 tackles. It was a breakout season for the sophomore after he recorded 59 tackles with an interception as a freshman.
   
   Williams could use more strength and weight to tackle in the NFL. Teams like his skills as a free safety and a player who can cover; however, some team sources feel that Williams is soft.



9. Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 199. Arm: 30.88. Hand: 9.75.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
   Projected Round (2017): 2-4.
   4/26/17: Evans is a strong safety type who is a good run defender and a strong eighth man in the box. He has some coverage skills, but is more of a strong safety for the NFL.
   
   In 2016, the senior recorded 85 tackles with six passes broken up and four interceptions. Evans created a real buzz with his Week 1 game against UCLA, and there was talk that he could be a first-round pick. In the season opener, Evans made eight tackles and two interceptions.
   
   Evans has good size and is a good tackler in the tackle box. He totaled 78 tackles with three pass breakups and one interception in 2015.



10. Montae Nicholson*, S, Michigan State
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 219. Arm: 33.63.
    40 Time: 4.42.
    Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
    4/26/17: Sources have said they really like Nicholson’s skill set. He was a surprise early entry into the 2017 NFL Draft, and some teams feel that he has staring potential quickly in the NFL. As a junior, Nicholson recorded 89 tackles with two passes broken up and one interception. He had a quality sophomore season with 83 tackles, two passes broken up and three interceptions.
    
    Nicholson has a serious combination of size and speed, but needs to improve his instincts. Teams feel that Nicholson has the skill set to start quickly in the NFL.



11. Lorenzo Jerome, S, St. Francis
    Height: 5-10. Weight: 202. Arm: 30.5. Hand: 8.63.
    40 Time: 4.70.
    Projected Round (2017): 3-5.
    4/26/17: Jerome is an intriguing player who has created a buzz in scouting circles. He was a productive player with a tremendous display of ball skills in college. Jerome had interception totals of six, three, three and six over the past four seasons with pass breakup totals of five, seven, 13 and four. He also had 59 tackles as a senior.
    
    Jerome impressed at the East-West Shrine and in the Senior Bowl. He could be a find in the mid-rounds, but Jerome hurt his stock with a very slow 40 at the combine.



12. Johnathan ‘Rudy’ Ford, S, Auburn
    Height: 5-11. Weight: 205. Arm: 30.25. Hand: 9.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
    Projected Round (2017): 3-5.
    4/26/17: Ford had 59 tackles with seven passes broken up in 2016. He was a solid, but unspectacular, defender for Auburn who can contribute in pass coverage and run defense. Ford had a quality week of practice at the Senior Bowl.
    
    8/20/16: Ford has been a solid defender for Auburn the past few seasons. In 2015, he totaled 118 tackles with one sack, two passes broken up and two interceptions, plus showed that he is a threat as a kick returner. As a sophomore, Ford had 93 tackles with three interceptions.



13. Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 201. Arm: 32.25.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
    Projected Round (2017): 3-5.
    4/26/17: Jackson was solid for Alabama in 2016 as its deep free safety. On the year, he totaled 24 tackles with two passes broken up, one interception that was returned 55 yards for a touchdown, and two punts returned for touchdowns. His season ended after eight games due to a broken leg.
    
    8/20/16: Jackson (6-0, 194) massively improved after a move to safety from cornerback for 2015. He had six interceptions, 46 tackles and two passes broken up there in the new position last season. Jackson has looked natural as a coverage free safety who can cover in man and play the deep centerfield. As a sophomore, Jackson was a corner who totaled 41 tackles with six passes broken up and one interception. He had 19 tackles with two passes broken up and a pick in 2013.
    
    Jackson needs to continue to add weight to tackle in the NFL.





14. Fish Smithson, S, Kansas
    Height: 5-10. Weight: 200.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    4/26/17: On the season, Smithson totaled 93 tackles with seven passes broken up, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. He played really well in pass coverage and run defense. At the East-West Shrine, Smithson measured in much smaller than he was billed by Kansas. He didn’t impress in that week of practice in St. Petersburg either.
    
    Smithson is a sleeper prospect with good instincts. Teams say Smithson would be drafted higher if he were bigger.
    
    8/20/16: In 2015 on an 0-12 team, Smithson led the nation with 7.9 solo tackles per game on 87 solo tackles. He totaled 111 stops with two interceptions, five passes broken up and one forced fumble on the year. One general manager told WalterFootball.com that in studying pre-draft tape, Smithson has really jumped out at them and they’re excited to watch him this fall.



15. Orion Stewart, S, Baylor
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 205.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    4/26/17: Stewart recorded 76 tackles with five interceptions and six passes broken up in 2016. He played well for Baylor and came up with some clutch turnovers. Stewart had a quality week of practice at the East-West Shrine.
    
    8/20/16: Stewart had a mixed 2015 season. He flashed on the field at times but also missed some action with an injury and had a suspension. The junior had 64 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and three passes broken up on the year. Stewart had a better season as a sophomore with 82 tackles, four interceptions and three passes batted.



16. Nate Gerry, S, Nebraska
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 214. Hand: 30.75. Hand: 9.13.
    40 Time: 4.58.
    Projected Round (2016): 4-6.
    4/26/17: In 2016, Gerry racked up 74 tackles with eight passes broken up and four interceptions. He had a decent week at the Senior Bowl. Gerry projects as more of a strong safety for the NFL.
    
    8/20/16: Gerry played really well for Nebraska in 2015. He had 79 tackles with four interceptions and seven passes broken up on the year. Gerry has put together a number of good games and clutch plays for Nebraska; however, he is a smart, gritty player who could be short on the physical skills for the NFL.
    
    Gerry was a productive player for Nebraska as a sophomore in 2014. That season, he totaled 88 tackles with five interceptions, two forced fumbles and four passes broken up. If Gerry can maintain, or build on, that production, it could do a lot to mitigate concerns about his size and speed for the NFL.



17. Tedric Thomson, S, Colorado
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 200. Arm: 31.5.
    40 Time: 4.60.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    4/26/17: In 2016, Thompson collected 63 tackles with 16 passes broken up and seven interceptions. It was a decent season for Thompson that earned him an invite to the East-West Shrine, where he had an okay week. He has some athletic limitations, but had a good career at Colorado. Thomson totaled 63 tackles with five breakups and three interceptions as a junior.



18. Jordan Sterns, S, Oklahoma State
    Height: 5-10. Weight: 196. Arm: 31.38. Hand: 8.88.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    4/26/17: Sterns is a good run defender with instincts that put him in position to make a lot of tackles. Over the past three seasons, he totaled 101, 108 and 103 tackles. Sterns had three interceptions and five breakups as a senior, showing improved coverage skills. He also impressed at the Senior Bowl, displaying some versatility to defend the run and play deep in pass coverage. Sterns is a sleeper prospect who could be a nice mid-round value.



19. Josh Harvey-Clemons, S, Louisville
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 217. Arm: 35.63.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    4/26/17: Harvey-Clemons recorded 61 tackles with two passes broken up in 2016. He has a good physical skill set, but he never really played or produced up to it. Harvey-Clemons accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, but an injury kept him from participating.
    
    8/20/16: Harvey-Clemons played well for Louisville to start the 2015 season and did well against Auburn, but had some quiet games otherwise. He totaled 80 tackles with two interceptions and three passes broken up on the year.
    
    Harvey-Clemons didn’t play in the 2014 season after being dismissed from Georgia in February 2014 over multiple off-the-field issues. For the Bulldogs, he broke into the starting lineup in 2013 and totaled 66 tackles with one interception, five passes broken up and two forced fumbles.



20. Rayshawn Jenkins, S, Miami
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 220. Arm: 31.5. Hand: 9.5.
    40 Time: 4.51.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    4/26/17: Jenkins put together a strong senior season to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he had a decent week. In 2016, he totaled 76 tackles with seven passes broken up and two interceptions. Jenkins would fit best in the NFL as a strong safety.
    
    Jenkins missed a lot of his junior year with an injury. As a sophomore, he had 46 tackles with three interceptions and five passes broken up.



21. John Johnson, S, Boston College
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 202. Arm: 31.5. Hand: 9.5.
    40 Time: 4.61.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    4/26/17: Sources say that Johnson is grading out as a fourth- or fifth-round pick. The 6-foot-1, 202-pounder has a nice skill set and displayed some ball skills over the past two seasons. In 2016, the senior totaled 77 tackles with nine passes broken up and three interceptions. He had three interceptions, three passes broken up and 63 tackles in 2015. Johnson hasn’t gotten much media acclaim, but he has made a good enough impression on NFL evaluators to earn a grade in the early portion of Day 3 during the 2017 NFL Draft.





22. Jadar Johnson, S, Clemson
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 206. Arm: 32.
    40 Time: 4.60.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    4/26/17: Johnson played well for Clemson in 2016, making a lot of plays on the ball. The senior totaled 53 tackles with seven passes broken up and five interceptions on the year. He isn’t the best athlete, but he makes up for it with instincts. As a junior, he had 15 tackles and two interceptions while serving as a backup.



23. Randall Goforth, S, UCLA
    Height: 5-10. Weight: 190.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
    Projected Round (2017): 5-7.
    4/26/17: In 2016, Goforth totaled four interceptions, nine passes broken up and 57 tackles. He was solid for the Bruins and did well at the East-West Shrine.
    
    8/20/16: Goforth was a solid defender for the Bruins last year with two interceptions, six breakups, and 70 tackles. It was a respectable return to the field after missing almost all of the 2014 season after needing surgeries on both shoulders. As a sophomore in 2013, he had his best season with 78 tackles, two interceptions and six passes broken up.



24. Demetrious Cox, S, Michigan State
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 198.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
    Projected Round (2017): 5-7.
    4/26/17: For the season, Cox recorded 55 tackles with five passes broken up and one interception returned 30 yards for a touchdown. He was a solid defender for the Spartans. His run defense is ahead of his pass coverage.
    
    9/3/16: Cox was a tough corner for the Spartans in 2015 and was productive in the ground game as well as being reliable in pass coverage. On the year, he had three interceptions, seven passes broken up and 79 tackles. It was Cox’s first season as a starter, so he could be better now that he has a year of experience.



25. Ahmad Thomas, S, Oklahoma
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 215.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
    Projected Round (2017): 5-7.
    4/26/17: Thomas had 64 tackles with two for a loss, two passes broken up and one sack on the year. He was a hard hitter for Oklahoma.
    
    8/20/16: In 2015, Thomas totaled 75 tackles with three interceptions and three passes broken up. He had 75 tackles and a pick the year before. Thomas is a solid run defender who could rise with a big season in pass coverage.





26. Kai Nacua, S, BYU
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 215.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
    Projected Round (2017): 6-FA.
    4/26/17: Nacua had a fabulous start to his senior season with some big games in terms of creating turnovers. In 2016, he totaled six interceptions, 48 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and two passes broken up. Nacua’s statline wasn’t an anomaly as he showed excellent instincts as a junior. He was a ballhawk in 2015 with six interceptions.
    
    Nacua is a sleeper prospect who could be a steal. Teams graded him as a late-rounder because they doubt he has the speed to play in the NFL.



27. Tony Conner, S, Ole Miss
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 217.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
    Projected Round (2017): 6-FA.
    4/26/17: Conner wasn’t the same player after his knee injury. He didn’t look as fast or explosive in 2016. For the year, Conner totaled 41 tackles, five passes broken up and zero interceptions.
    
    5/4/16: Conner had 17 tackles in 2015, but only played in five games. He tore his meniscus against Alabama and missed the majority of the season. The Rebels really missed him in a number of games. Even though he has played some nickel corner, Conner would fit best as a coverage safety in the middle of the field and not as a cover corner in the NFL. Ole Miss lines him up all over the place from slot corner, outside corner, in-the-box safety, outside linebacker and even as an edge rusher. For the NFL, strong safety is probably his best fit.
    
    Conner totaled 69 tackles with nine tackles for a loss, an interception and two passes broken up in 2014. As a freshman, he totaled 66 tackles with five tackles for a loss, one sack, one interception and seven passes broken up.



28. Quincy Mauger, S, Georgia
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 200.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.61.
    Projected Round (2017): 7-FA.
    4/26/17: Mauger recorded 21 tackles with two passes broken up and two interceptions in 2016.
    
    8/20/16: Last season, Mauger racked up 58 tackles and five passes broken up, but zero interceptions. He had some lapses in coverage and is more of a strong safety. Mauger was able to work his way on to the field as a freshman in 2013 and contributed 57 tackles with an interception for the Bulldogs. As a sophomore, he showed improved pass-coverage ability as he recorded four interceptions and four passes broken up while making 51 tackles.



29. Leon McQuay III, S, USC
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 185.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.66.
    Projected Round (2017): 7-FA.
    4/26/17: McQuay totaled 43 tackles with four passes broken up and one interception in 2016.
    
    8/20/16: In 2015, McQuay had 18 tackles with three passes broken up. He was USC’s starting strong safety for the majority of 2014 and totaled 36 tackles, four passes broken up, two interceptions and a forced fumble.



30. Max Redfield, S, Notre Dame
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 198.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
    Projected Round (2017): FA.
    4/26/17: Redfield was arrested in August 2016 and kicked off the Notre Dame football team.
    
    8/20/16: Redfield has talent, but dealt his draft stock a blow when he landed a suspension to conclude the 2015 season. Redfield had 64 tackles with two passes broken up and an interception in 2015. He recorded 68 tackles, one interception, and two passes broken up in his first season as a starter.



31. Nate Andrews, S, Florida State
    Height: 5-11. Weight: 210.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
    Projected Round (2017): FA.
    4/26/17: Andrews went out for the season after tearing a pectoral muscle. He totaled 18 tackles with an interception as a rotational player with Derwin James out.
    
    8/20/16: In 2015, Andrews recorded 25 tackles and three passes broken up. He didn’t look anything like the player he was in 2014 and lost his starting spot to Lemarcus Brutus.
    
    Andrews was very good for Florida State in 2014. He racked up 93 tackles with three interceptions and five passes broken up on the year. As a freshman, Andrews totaled four interceptions, forced three fumbles, eight passes broken up and 35 tackles.

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