2016 NFL Draft: Doc’s Thoughts on the Top Ten Safeties in this Draft. 

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1. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State, 6-1 209 (FS): Ramsey is the best player in this draft and can play corner or free safety. Ramsey plays with great anticipation and has tremendous ball skills. He does a great job of anticipating a play, diagnosing it and breaking on the ball. He is a terrific tackler. He can play as both a box safety or support the run from depth. Ramsey is a terrific prospect and he will pay immediate dividends where ever he ends up. 

2. Karl Joseph, West Virginia, 5-10 205: Joseph is an active player who can play over the top as a coverage safety and screw down and play as a box safety. I really his athleticism and his ability to close. He does a great job diagnosing plays, driving to the ball and finishing plays. He has had knee problems but if you go back and watch his tape from two years ago, Joseph looks and plays like a first round pick. 

3. Vonn Bell, Ohio State, 5-10 1/2 199 (FS): I really like Bell’s recognition skills and his closing speed. He does a great job of diagnosing plays, breaking at the right angle and finishing the play. Bell is active around the line of scrimmage. He can play as the eighth man in the box and he willing to attack a blocker, stack him and shed him. Bell is a bit undersized and he struggles in jump ball situations but I think he has first round talent.

4.  Keanu Neal Florida 6-0 1/2 211 (SS): When I think of Neal, physical is the first thing that comes to mind. He loves to hit. He can be a bit undisciplined and he takes bad angles in coverage at times, especially over the top in Cover 2. Despite that, I think has the potential to be a three down player because you can use him as a box safety and he can cover a slot or a displaced tight end. He has some holes in his game but there is no doubt that Neal is a physical presence who can be used in a variety of ways. 

5.  Jeremy Cash Duke 6-0 1/2 212 (SS): I like Cash’s size and his versatility. Duke moved him around a lot in their defense. Cash is a three down player who can be used in a variety of ways, especially in sub packages. He can be a bit stiff in his backpedal and he takes flat angles on his breaks. Cash plays with good instincts and does a great job reading the quarterback and feeling routes. I think Cash would be a solid day two, early day three pick. 

6. Sean Davis Maryland 6-1 201 (SS) Davis is a former cornerback who is converting to safety. He is physical and a good tackler who finishes on contact but he really struggled at times in coverage. Davis didn’t always play at a high level. He was awful when I watched him against Bowling Green. Davis can be a liability in coverage, especially man coverage. The tools are there but he needs fundamental work. 

7. Miles Killebrew Southern Utah 6-1 1/2 220 (SS): Killebrew and defensive end James Howser  are both prospects from Southern Utah. Killebrew is big. He’s tall and tight hipped in his drop. Struggles to flip his hips and get vertical in over the top coverage. Physical. Killebrew can play as a box safety and he is a sure tackle. Reminds a lot of Jaquiski Tartt of the 49ers. 

8. Darien Thompson Boise State 6-1 1/2 208 (FS): Thompson is raw but he’s long and athletic. He can flip his hips and accelerate over the top in coverage. He’s not always physical in run support but there’s a lot to like about Thompson’s skill set. 

9.  DeAndre Houston-Carson William & Mary 6-1 200 (FS): Carson played at the FCS level so the level of competition effects his status. There is no doubt Carson has the athleticism and ball skills to be a potential starter in the NFL. He has picked off seven passes in the last two years and has been highly productive in all phases of the position. 

10. Justin Simmons Boston College 6-2 1/2 202 (FS) Simmons is a tall, rangy free safety who covers a lot of ground over the top in coverage and has good ball skills. He has shown a willingness to run the alley in run support and is a sure tackler. A key cog in the one of the best defenses in the country the last two years.