NFL Draft: Top five safeties heading into Combine
Here is a pre-NFL Combine breakdown of our top five safeties heading into Indianapolis, the final of a nine-day series.
MORE PRE-COMBINE POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR/TE | OL | DT | DE | LB | CB
Recruiting: Fitzpatrick committed to Alabama in the spring before his senior season but leading up to National Signing Day there was a rumor he was torn between the Crimson Tide and Florida State. Shortly before National Signing Day, Fitzpatrick announced he was sticking with Alabama.
Career stats: In three seasons at Alabama, Fitzpatrick finished with 171 tackles including 16.5 for loss and five sacks. He added nine interceptions, including six in his sophomore year, and 24 pass deflections. Alabama went 41-3 and won two national titles during Fitzpatrick's three years starting in the defensive backfield.
Buzz: Teams seem to love Fitzpatrick because of his versatility and ability to play corner, safety or nickel.
Farrell’s take: I've watched Fitzpatrick since he was a freshman in high school. He has always been a five-star talent, but scouting him so much might have led to expectations that were too high. It's why we moved him from cornerback to safety in the end because he struggled in solo coverage against elite wide receivers. So much for that, huh? Fitzpatrick's instant impact as a freshman on the Alabama defense was amazing and he took it to the next level the last two seasons, and has shown he can play corner or safety at a high level. Now we are projecting him to safety all over again? When will we learn? The NFL will love his ability to play corner, safety but also come off the edge as a blitzer.
Recruiting: During a junior day visit to Florida State during his freshman year, James committed to the Seminoles. He called FSU his dream school. Auburn, Clemson, Miami, Ohio State and others had also offered.
Career stats: The former five-star had 91 tackles as a freshman and 84 this past season, missing nearly all of his sophomore year due to injury. He compiled three interceptions, 15 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries during his career as well.
Buzz: Comparisons are being made to Jamal Adams, especially since James could change the culture of a struggling franchise in part because of his enthusiasm.
Farrell’s take: I’ve said it before and I will say it again — James is the most athletic and dynamic safety I have ever scouted out of high school. And, after an average start to his freshman year, he came on and became a dominant defensive back as expected. His sophomore season was a washout due to injury, but he had a very solid junior season. He can blitz, he can tackle in space, support the run and cover a ton of ground in the passing game. And this is only the beginning as he will be an absolute star in the NFL. Everything you see James doing now is what he did in high school. He was just a high motor kid with amazing athleticism.
Recruiting: An early North Carolina commitment, Harrison decommitted and pledged to Alabama in July leading up to his senior season. He visited Georgia numerous times and the Bulldogs were a legitimate contender, but the four-star stuck with the Crimson Tide.
Career stats: Harrison finished with 174 tackles during three seasons at Alabama and he also added seven interceptions and 17 pass deflections.
Buzz: Harrison has size and athleticism but can sometimes struggle in man coverage and he overpursues so being a fringe first- or second-round pick makes sense.
Farrell’s take: Harrison was a tall and filled-out safety prospect who could also play corner and had very good ball skills. He wasn’t a burner, which is what held him back from being a Rivals100 prospect, but he had good hips, excellent instincts and could catch anything. When Nick Saban covets you as a defensive back, and he wanted Harrison badly, then you know you’re likely looking at a playmaker. Harrison was perhaps a bit undervalued.
Recruiting: Elliott declared Baylor his leader shortly after receiving an offer, but Texas moved to the top after a junior day visit. The Longhorns beat out Texas A&M and others in March of his junior season. Oklahoma, TCU and others were also seriously involved.
Career stats: Elliott totaled 105 tackles (11.5 for loss) along with nine interceptions, 13 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in three seasons at Texas. He had six interceptions last season.
Buzz: Elliott is a playmaker but he does lack elite athleticism so there has been some talk about people being surprised he came out early.
Farrell’s Take: Elliott really stepped up his game this season not only with his ball skills but with his ability to support the run. A four-star player outside the Rivals250, Elliott was a talented kid who never really broke out in any setting to push higher in the rankings. We saw him in camps, we saw him in games and we saw him at Under Armour week. We felt he was good but we weren’t sure he was elite. In fact, he added his fourth star after Under Armour, where he showed better coverage skills than he had before and started to show off those ball skills. Now he could land in round two.
Recruiting: Stanford did not offer Reid until late in his senior season, but the Cardinal immediately became a contender and beat out LSU, Notre Dame and others. Oklahoma and Texas Tech were also involved in his recruitment. His brother, Eric, still plays for the San Francisco 49ers and that helped with Reid’s choice.
Career stats: In three seasons at Stanford, Reid compiled 170 tackles including 10.5 for loss. He added six interceptions (five this past season) and 14 pass deflections.
Buzz: There is some talk that if Reid tests well at the combine then he can move up, possibly into the late part of the first round.
Farrell’s Take: Reid has been very effective in run support, has shown he can be a big hitter and his ball skills have improved, so scouts are taking notice. Out of high school, he was a mid-level three-star because he had great size but didn’t move that well. He had a frame where he could have grown into a linebacker if needed but he improved his quickness and footwork greatly in college and has emerged as one of the best strong safeties.
