The 2008 NFL Draft was relatively weak in terms of safeties. Teams look for the next Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu when drafting safeties, but there likely are no safeties that will end up being the playmakers that Reed or Polamalu are. However, the first safety drafted, Miami's Kenny Phillips, continued a 14 year trend of a Miami Hurricane being drafted in the first round.Phillip's drafted by the New York Giants with the final pick in the first round, does have very good ability as a safety. Phillips is talented, and shows excellent ball skills. He has excellent range, instincts, and awareness, plus he comes from a long line of dominant Miami safeties (Reed, Sean Taylor, Brandan Merriweather). Phillips has the tendency to get beat deep too often, but his tremendous skill set could help him fix that at the NFL level. Phillips could turn out to be a dynamic starting safety for the Giants, and he was an excellent pick at 31.
The Minnesota Vikings took the only safety in the second round, Arkansas S
tate's Tyrell Johnson. Johnson is a very good athlete, which helps him excell in run support. While he does not possess great ball skills, Johnson has enough to be a starter in the NFL. However, in order to reach his starting potential, Johnson needs to stop getting beat deep, and he needs to develop more instincts and awareness, which are necessities at the safety position. At worst, Johnson should be an outstanding NFL backup.
tate's Tyrell Johnson. Johnson is a very good athlete, which helps him excell in run support. While he does not possess great ball skills, Johnson has enough to be a starter in the NFL. However, in order to reach his starting potential, Johnson needs to stop getting beat deep, and he needs to develop more instincts and awareness, which are necessities at the safety position. At worst, Johnson should be an outstanding NFL backup.With the 82nd pick in the draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected NC State's DaJuan Morgan. Because he was only a one year starter for the Wolfpack, Morgan somewhat lacks the experience and awareness needed to be a starting safety at the NFL level. However, Morgan does have decent upside, thanks to his great athleticism, and good ball skills. At worst, Morgan will be a very good backup for Kansas City.
The Baltimore Ravens took Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski with the 86th p
ick in the draft. Zbikowski is not the typical safeties height and does lack some speed. However, he might be the toughest player in the draft and he is very strong, powerful, and fiery. Zbikowski excels in the running game, as his strength and quickness allow him to close gaps against the running back. Zbikowski can also be an alternative in the punt return game, as he did have experience returning punts at Notre Dame. At worst, Zbikowski becomes an extremely good backup, but if he improves his coverage skills, he could be an NFL starter.
ick in the draft. Zbikowski is not the typical safeties height and does lack some speed. However, he might be the toughest player in the draft and he is very strong, powerful, and fiery. Zbikowski excels in the running game, as his strength and quickness allow him to close gaps against the running back. Zbikowski can also be an alternative in the punt return game, as he did have experience returning punts at Notre Dame. At worst, Zbikowski becomes an extremely good backup, but if he improves his coverage skills, he could be an NFL starter.The 2008 safety class was very weak and thin. There were only 2 safeties taken on the first day of the draft. Only Miami's Kenny Phillips is a surefire NFL starter. The rest of the safeties taken borderline on backups, and occasional starters. This class was the weakest in years for safeties, but it should figure to get stronger again for next year's draft.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment