Why Undrafted?: Dion Bailey

2014 NFL Draft Why Undrafteds? - Choose Player 2014 Why Undrafteds - Home Dion Bailey, S, USC Kapri Bibbs, RB, Colorado State Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State Morgan Breslin, OLB, USC Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina Cody Hoffman, WR, BYU Adrian Hubbard, OLB, Alabama Gabe Ikard, C, Oklahoma Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU Christian Jones, LB, Florida State Kenny Ladler, S, Vanderbilt Craig Loston, S, LSU James Morris, LB, Iowa Stephen Morris, QB, Miami Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina Rashaad Reynolds, CB, Oregon State Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford Brett Smith, QB, Wyoming Anthony Steen, G, Alabama James Wilder, RB, Florida State

Why Undrafted?: Dion Bailey, S, USC
By Charlie Campbell, @draftcampbell

One of the most surprising prospects to slip through the 2014 NFL Draft was USC safety Dion Bailey. Over the the past three seasons, he was a steady contributor for USC. In 2011 and 2012, Bailey was a starting Will linebacker in Monte Kiffin’s Tampa 2 defense. He did well in that role before moving to his natural safety position for 2013. Following his third strong season for the Trojans, Bailey decided to skip his senior season.

During the draft process, one team with a huge hole at safety told WalterFootball.com that Bailey was an option for them on the second day of the 2014 NFL Draft. However later in the process, that team ruled Bailey because he ran slowly at the Combine and in workouts. This team felt that Bailey didn’t have the speed to run with NFL receivers and could get burned in the deep part of the field. The 6-foot, 201-pounder also doesn’t have the size or strength to be a thumper safety in the tackle box. Thus, he’s viewed as a tweener free/strong safety. That status led this source’s team to target other safeties instead; other franchises obviously felt the same.



Another issue some teams said could have hurt Bailey was seeing him passed over by the Cowboys. Dallas needed some help at safety, so it said something to the rest of the league when the Cowboys were passing over a player who Kiffin knew so well.

Bailey signed with the Seattle Seahawks after going undrafted. On the surface, one wouldn’t think that was a wise decision as Seattle is set with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor as its starters. However, the Seahawks could be a great fit for Bailey. Perhaps more than any team in the league, Seattle is open to late-round picks or undrafted free agents earning playing time and starting spots. The Seahawks don’t have much depth behind their star veterans, and a lot of teams count on playing three safeties consistently. If Bailey plays well on special teams, he could be a nice backup safety for Seattle. Don’t be surprised if Bailey ends up being another astute signing by the defending champions.

2014 NFL Draft Why Undrafteds? - Choose Player 2014 Why Undrafteds - Home Dion Bailey, S, USC Kapri Bibbs, RB, Colorado State Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State Morgan Breslin, OLB, USC Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina Cody Hoffman, WR, BYU Adrian Hubbard, OLB, Alabama Gabe Ikard, C, Oklahoma Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU Christian Jones, LB, Florida State Kenny Ladler, S, Vanderbilt Craig Loston, S, LSU James Morris, LB, Iowa Stephen Morris, QB, Miami Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina Rashaad Reynolds, CB, Oregon State Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford Brett Smith, QB, Wyoming Anthony Steen, G, Alabama James Wilder, RB, Florida State

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