DRAFT TRACKER 2016

Fiercely competitive with immense football character. Different teams may have differing opinions of how best to utilize him, but Joseph has proven he can make plays in man coverage or play disciplined enough to be trusted on the back. His average size and subsequent durability will concern some teams due to his aggressive, attacking demeanor; however, Joseph is talented enough to become an early starter and high­-impact safety down the road if the medicals check out.

Looks the part and has enough production to warrant a close look, but that close look shows a player with below average man cover skills and a lack of awareness in zone coverage. An even greater concern is that too many big plays were allowed because he busted coverage or failed or to execute. Thompson does his best work near the line of scrimmage and has the frame and demeanor to become a box safety in the league, but it might take time.

Odds are that Kearse will test well and with his length and ability, he very well may go much higher than the grade I have on him. To play safety, there needs to be a sense of urgency and consistency because that position is the last line of defense and Kearse doesn’t show those traits nearly enough at this time. If the light comes on and he gets more dog in him, then we are talking about a substantially better NFL player.

Bush’s diagnostic skills are very much a work in progress and his 2015 tape will be enough to concern general managers and secondary coaches. Bush has the size and measurables that will appeal to traits-based defenses and his special teams ability could earn him a spot on the coverage teams right off the bat. However, his stiffness in space and issues with change of direction projects him as a special teams specialist with only box safety potential.

Athletic safety who flashes enough ability high and low to believe that he won’t be pigeon­holed as one type of safety or another. Dillon has the athleticism and ball skills to help in man coverage and enough awareness from the high safety spot to handle his duties. Dillon has allowed entirely too many missed or broken tackles over the last couple of seasons, but that can be improved with more muscle on his frame and a more technique-­driven approach. Intriguing prospect with developmental traits.

Byard is a four­-year starter whose ball skills and high interception total has garnered him attention since his freshman season. While he has the looks of a player who could excel near the box, he lacks the consistent physicality needed and he does his best work as a deep safety. Scouts are all over the place on Byard and his draft stock will head in one direction or the other starting with his week at the Senior Bowl.

Box safety who was asked to play a more diverse safety spot for the Irish, but who lacks the instincts and athleticism to play in space on the next level. His size should get him a look, but he needs to improve his consistency as a tackler and show that he has cover value on kickoffs to help him make a roster.

Very tough with the mindset teams are looking for from box safeties. Unfortunately, box safeties are being replaced by safeties with better cover talent and athleticism and that may be an issue for Fejedelem. He will need to ball out as a special-teamer and find a fit with a team who still employs box workers at safety.

Heady with productive tackle numbers, Simone is a high­-effort box safety who doesn’t have NFL speed or athleticism. While his tackle numbers over the last two years are nice, his missed tackle count is alarming. With his inability to cover, Simone would have to be a lights out tackler in the box and he is not sure­fire enough.