DRAFT TRACKER 2017
2017
DRAFT TRACKER
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PLAYER
DRAFTED BY
New York Jets
Round 1 • Pick 6
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Interchangeable safety with a sheriff's mentality. Adams is a physical tone-setter who should thrive near the line of scrimmage or in a robber role. Should be a commanding presence in the locker room early on and his do-as-I-do play demeanor could be the catalyst for turning a struggling defense around quickly.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 • Pick 15
PLAYER ANALYSIS
He's the ultimate lurker. His instincts are always bringing him to the football and when he gets there he has the ball skills to take it away. His lack of game experience and issues with tackle consistency will likely show themselves early in his career, but his ability to flip the field is worthy of an aggressive projection. He has the talent to be a high-impact starter for years in the NFL.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Arizona Cardinals
Round 2 • Pick 4
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Undersized free safety with the heart of a linebacker. Baker plays with a competitive desire that leaps off the field when you watch him thanks to elite football character and above-average explosiveness. While he is undersized, he makes up for it with his football instincts and plus play speed. Baker has the talent to become a play-making safety with Pro Bowl potential if he can sustain his health.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Green Bay Packers
Round 2 • Pick 29
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Jones is a height-weight-speed prospect to be sure, but he's not just a traits-based safety. Jones has the appetite for hitting that teams will want around the box and he has the speed and ball skills to range and help against vertical threats from a deep safety spot. The big area of concern will be Jones' ability to play with better discipline in coverage and as a tackler. He has the ability to become a good, long-time starter in the league.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 2 • Pick 18
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Soft-spoken but carries a walloping stick. Plays the game with an elevated sense of urgency and excitement. He is a little undersized, but has plus speed, is an extremely physical hitter and can play deep or near the line of scrimmage. Athleticism and ball skills might lead a team to test him out as a slot corner. Regardless of where he plays, he has the talent to become a plus NFL starter and a potential Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) draft selection.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
New York Jets
Round 2 • Pick 7
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Interchangeable safety with the instincts of a free safety and the physicality of a box player. Thrives as a downhill player and has the instincts and speed to operate effectively from both single-high and two-deep looks. Has the physical attributes and intelligence to step into a starter's role early on and will be a strong contributor on special teams.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
New Orleans Saints
Round 2 • Pick 10
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Ball-hawking free safety who has outstanding ball skills and has shown a propensity for causing turnovers. He can play from a high centerfield spot and utilizes his instincts to swoop down and challenge throws. He's able to get running backs down, but he’s not physical enough to be a combination safety. NFL teams love defensive backs with athletic traits, instincts and ball skills. If he works out well before the draft, he should move up team boards.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 5 • Pick 7
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Lack of size and speed combined with his ball skills, instincts, and competitiveness all point to a transition to safety. While he can improve as a tackler, he's got the toughness and mentality to take on run-support duties. Can cover in man when asked and has the ball-tracking skills and anticipation that should allow him to thrive in two-deep and single-high situations. A likely second-day (Rounds 2-3) selection and could be targeted as a zone corner or a safety with early starting potential.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Los Angeles Rams
Round 3 • Pick 27
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Ascending defender with the experience, athleticism and ball skills to play as a high safety or in man coverage. Johnson is well above average as a ball-tracker and has the soft hands to finish at the catch-point against receivers. He has decent size but won't be a banger as a tackler, however, his ability in coverage has NFL personnel men buzzing as a potential early starter in the league.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 2 • Pick 24
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Big and athletic, he may lack the coverage qualities and instincts needed to work as a "last line of defense" player in a pass-happy division. Melifonwu is an effective downhill tackler who has the ability to match up against tight ends and make a living near the line of scrimmage. His football instincts aren't up to par, but the size and traits will be extremely enticing for teams who covet traits first.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Washington Commanders
Round 7 • Pick 12
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Former five-star recruit with an alpha mentality who roams the field with swagger and undeniable intent as a tackler. Has elite size, length and athletic traits, and is a rangy tackler with the ability to cover and blitz. He could be considered by teams as a box safety or hybrid linebacker.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 5'10 1/2"
- Weight
- 204 lbs
- Arm
- 30 5/8"
- Hand
- 8 5/8"
- Wing
- 73 1/4"
Production
54.65
Athleticism
51
Total Score
105.65
PLAYER ANALYSIS
While he's not the biggest or fastest safety, he does not back down from the physicality of the position and he has a second gear when he's chasing after the ball. NFL teams love instinctive safeties who take the ball away and Jerome is working on a Master's Degree in both categories. Teams will have to decide how he best fits inside their defense, but Jerome's ability to return kicks and his ability to take the ball away should help him find the field fairly quickly.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Chicago Bears
Round 4 • Pick 5
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Former cornerback-turned-safety with decent instincts and good ball skills but a finesse mentality as a tackler relative to those around him. Jackson's background in man coverage and his ability to return punts should create some additional value for him, but he'll be pressed into much more difficult situations in the league. Jackson is an average NFL backup with immediate punt return possibilities.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'0 3/8"
- Weight
- 206 lbs
- Arm
- 32"
- Hand
- 9 1/4"
- Wing
- 77 3/8"
Production
68.51
Athleticism
67.25
Total Score
135.76
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Explosive height, weight, speed prospect with terrific ball skills but an inconsistent approach in run support. Johnson's ball production, despite just one season as a starter, will likely give a team confidence that he will continue to shine in that area on the next level. Johnson has starting NFL potential and a strong workout could push him up the draft board. However, he must improve his run support to be a long-time starter in the league.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 4 • Pick 6
PLAYER ANALYSIS
A commanding, aggressive presence on the back-end, Jenkins loves being part of "The U" and attempts to honor the history of the safety position at that school every time he steps on the field. His instincts and closing burst to the ball are just average and he will have to earn his way up the depth chart to get a shot as a two-deep safety with some box ability.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'0 7/8"
- Weight
- 206 lbs
- Arm
- 31 3/4"
- Hand
- 9"
- Wing
- 78 1/8"
Production
62.55
Athleticism
54.86
Total Score
117.41
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Travis is a box safety who has the size and play demeanor to handle the rigors of the position, but will need to improve the consistency of his tackling. Travis may have enough cover skills to match up against in-line tight ends and handle zone responsibilities, but routes that force him to handle coverage down the field could become a challenge. Travis' size and special teams potential gives him a roster advantage over some of the other, later Day 3 safeties in this draft.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Philadelphia Eagles
Round 5 • Pick 40
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Rocked-up strong safety type who can play near the line of scrimmage and operate in zone coverage. Gerry's lack of reactive agility will limit him in man coverage and create inconsistencies as a tackler, but he's very instinctive and will get to more plays than he should. Gerry has the urgent play demeanor needed to become a consistent contributor on special teams and fit into a fourth or fifth safety spot.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 5'11"
- Weight
- 190 lbs
- Arm
- Hand
- Wing
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Smithson is a little smaller and a little slower than teams might like at the safety spot, but his instincts and overall football intelligence make up for some of his physical limitations. With six interceptions over the last two seasons, Smithson has shown that he has the ball skills to pair with his instinctive nature, but his issues finishing tackles will not be taken lightly by NFL teams. Smithson has NFL backup potential.
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'0 7/8"
- Weight
- 218 lbs
- Arm
- 31"
- Hand
- 9 3/8"
- Wing
- 74"
Production
59.26
Athleticism
65.79
Total Score
125.05
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Carter is a classic height, weight, speed player who is more project than prospect at this point. Teams typically draft defenders with these types of physical and athletic attributes and attempt to mold them or turn them into special teams specialists. Carter's lack of meaningful production speaks to his instincts and how Miami used him. Single-high safety might not be the best fit for him, but he could find new life on the NFL level if a team can fit him into the right scheme.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Arizona Cardinals
Round 6 • Pick 24
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Ford has been a solid starter and productive tackler as a three-year starter in the SEC, but his tight hips and lack of instant acceleration could limit what teams are able to ask from him in coverage. He will likely have to add some weight and try to prove himself as a backup box safety who can make plays on special teams.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Dallas Cowboys
Round 6 • Pick 7
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Woods' career stat sheet at Louisiana Tech is loaded with play after play, but that has to be balanced out with his occasional lack of discipline that can cost his defense on the back end. Woods has outstanding instincts and ball skills, but will need to play with the game in front of him due to potential athletic limitations in space. Woods is a tough competitor and his penchant for finding the ball is likely to win a team over in the later rounds.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Seattle Seahawks
Round 6 • Pick 3
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Plays with pretty good football instincts and is competitive challenging the run, but his inconsistencies in deep coverage could cause teams to shy away from using him anywhere but near the line of scrimmage. Tyson has average safety skills and could benefit with more weight work if he has to become a full-time box safety with tight end coverage ability.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'
- Weight
- 217 lbs
- Arm
- Hand
- Wing
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Thomas has the experience and success as a special teams player that will give him an advantage when trying to secure a roster spot, but he can't hang his hat on being a box safety or a cover specialist and his lack of deep speed is a concern. Thomas could find himself on the undrafted free agent list with a need to excel on special teams in limited camp reps to have a shot at making a roster.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Washington Commanders
Round 4 • Pick 16
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Nicholson has outstanding size and could test well at the combine and his pro day, but his tape is blah and no amount of workouts in shorts and t-shirts will change that. Nicholson's lack of playmaking production combined with his unsure tackling make him a traits-only prospect who could have a hard time sticking in the league unless he finds more confidence and aggression.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 7 • Pick 3
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Luani has the ball production and enough flashes on tape that scouts will be forced to keep him alive in their draft meetings. While Luani showed some improvement as a tackler, Washington State was forced to protect him by playing him in more underneath zone where he was able to cover and not worry about being the last line of defense. Luani likely needs to get his start as a special teams cover man, but without fundamental tackling, that could be a challenge.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
Go to Player Page
PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'2"
- Weight
- 199 lbs
- Arm
- Hand
- Wing
PLAYER ANALYSIS
On the surface, he has experience at both safety and cornerback which will count as a roster plus in his favor. However, he lacks the size and physicality to handle safety duties and he doesn't have enough speed for man coverage as a cornerback. He created disruption with his passes defensed but didn't turn enough of them into interceptions to make his mark as a productive defender.
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DRAFTED BY
Kansas City Chiefs
Round 6 • Pick 34
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'2"
- Weight
- 185 lbs
- Arm
- Hand
- Wing
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 5'10"
- Weight
- 190 lbs
- Arm
- Hand
- Wing
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