Scouting Combine Wrap-Up: the Free Safeties

After reviewing the footage of the safeties I think I actually have to agree with Mike Mayock, this years crop of safeties is much weaker than last years. Only one, Miami’s Kenny Phillips warrants a first round grade and only a couple others grade out in the 2nd or 3rd round. Since the Panthers just locked up SS Chris Harris I’m going to assume SS is not a priority position early in the draft. However there are a couple free safeties that could be available in the later rounds that may be good additions to the Panthers special teams.

As much as I want the Panthers to upgrade the free safety position it may not happen via this draft. The Panthers will have to spend a 2nd or 3rd round pick just to get someone who will still need time to develop. Fox and Hurney obviously don’t value the position high to warrant such a high pick.

Regardless, here are notes on specific free safeties the Panthers may consider drafting:

Kenny Phillips (Miami) Phillips ran a 4.55 in the 40, not bad but slower than expected. Also, when he ran he ran with his head down, which was kind of weird. That’s not a good habit I think the scouts wanted to see. Though Phillips will probably be there at #13 I don’t see the Panthers taking him. They have bigger needs.

DeJuan Morgan (NC State) Morgan has good size and showed himself well at the combine. He is a play maker who had 117 tackles last season.

Quentin Demps (UTEP) Demps improved his 40 time and may have moved into the late 2nd round. If he is there at the Panthers first 3rd rounder he may be the pick. You may recall Demps had an INT in the Senior Bowl and I thought he looked good out there.

Thomas DeCloud (Cal) Injury history will drop him past the 3rd round. Measurables and combine results were good though.

Marcus Griffin (Texas) Slow 40 time will drop him into the 5th round. His twin brother is good so I think this guy is a sleeper.

Johnathan Hefney (Tenn) I was a big fan of his until he measured in at 5’7". He plays bigger than that but I see him dropping to the 6 or 7th round. I’d use our 7th rounder on him easy.

DJ Parker (VT) His 40 time was good and his measurables are acceptable. Didn’t show anything special at the combine.

Corey Lynch (App St) He’s a special teams warrior who had 6 blocks in his career. Just the kind of guy the Panthers need.

After watching the various drills that included back-peddling, cutting back and forth and catching the football, there wasn’t anyone I thought looked head and shoulders above the others. Stating the obvious, I’m not a pro at evaluating NFL talent. I’m sure something stood out in the drills for them to talk about. I think what makes the safety position so hard to evaluate is the intangibles. A safety has to have good anticipation, closing speed and fantastic depth perception to start in the NFL. You can’t judge that running simulation drills, in the weight room or running 40 yard dashes.

NFL safeties are born with the intangibles that make them special. It’s up to NFL personnel scouts to determine who has it and who doesn’t.