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2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaquan Brisker
Jaquan Brisker, 6-1/199
Safety
Penn State
Jaquan Brisker Scouting Report By Charlie Campbell
Strengths:
Can play free or strong safety; versatile
Physical
Instinctive
Speed; flies around the field
Hard hitter
Tough in run support
Capable as eighth man in the box
Very good in zone coverage
Can prevent separation in man
Can function in pass coverage in the deep part of the field
Reads a quarterback's eyes
Covers a lot of ground in the middle of the field
Athletic
Can execute strong and free safety responsibilities
Can play zone or man schemes
Capable of covering tight ends and running backs
Reliable as the last line of defense
Keeps plays in front of him
Could contribute on special teams
Should be able to play quickly
Weaknesses:
A little underweight
Gets banged up
Could have durability issues in the NFL
Could stand to improve angles he takes
Summary: Safety play is critical to the modern passing-driven pro game even though the position has been devalued in NFL drafts to an extent. Teams need safeties who can help cover receiving tight ends, playmaking receivers, and stop the run. Brisker is a talented, versatile safety who is rather ideal for the current style of play in the NFL.
Over the past three seasons, Brisker was a solid defender for Penn State. In 2019, he totaled 31 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. Brisker then flashed at times for the Nittany Lions in 2020 while recording 57 tackles, four passes defended and an interception. He was then all over the field in 2021, providing a bigger presence than the stats indicate while he collected 43 tackles, two interceptions and four passes broken up.
Brisker was a tough run defender in 2021. He shows excellent closing speed and comes downhill quickly to make tackles in run support. Brisker is able to get off blocks and shows impressive tackling technique, laying hard hits and showing a talent for wrapping up. With his toughness and tackling skills, Brisker can function as the eighth man in the box. He is a confident and instinctive defender who has a big presence for his pro team.
In pass coverage, Brisker shows a lot of ability. He covers a lot of ground and can handle playing deep free safety or as a zone strong safety in the intermediate portion. Brisker reads plays and routes well while staying in good position to cover up receivers. With his speed and athleticism, Brisker has the ability to play man coverage on tight ends. Brisker shows range, instincts, and some ball skills for deep free safety.
Brisker could fit in the NFL in a defense that alternates their free and strong safety pre-snap. Such flexibility makes it a lot harder for quarterbacks to diagnosis where coverage will be. Brisker has the speed and athleticism to cover in the deep part of the field and the strength to function as a strong safety. He also could serve as a strong safety 100 percent of the time.
After some development and experience, Brisker also has the potential to be a free safety. He shows the ability to run with receivers and other targets and prevent separation. In zone coverage, Brisker is very good and has impressive diagnosis skills and instincts
Some NFL teams have given Brisker second-day grades for the 2022 NFL Draft and believe he will go in the second or third round. A few media members, however, project Brisker to end up as a first-rounder, so perhaps he will sneak into the opening night of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Player Comparison: Justin Simmons. Brisker's versatility and well-rounded play at Penn State reminds me of Simmons with the Broncos. Simmons was a third-round pick in 2016, and Brisker could go in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Brisker is similar size to the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder Simmons, and both are instinctive defenders. If Brisker pans out in the NFL, his style of play could be similar to Simmons.