ChiefsPlanet - NFL Draft Call Your Shot: Who’s the Chiefs first selection in the 2020 Draft

Here's the DB from Bob McGinn. It doesn't sound great for Delpit.

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Florida’s C.J. Henderson and LSU’s Grant Delpit are regarded by personnel men as the second-best players in the draft at their positions, a pair of third-year juniors who shared berths on the first team All-Southeastern Conference squad last season.

They share something else, too, and it’s not the least bit pleasing to those decision-makers who will decide their landing spots beginning Thursday night. Put simply, Henderson was a poor tackler from his cornerback position and Delpit was an even worse one as a safety. For all the emphasis on speed and scoring and space, the core of defensive football remains toughness, intimidation and getting people down.

When players, especially highly-rated ones such as Henderson and Delpit, fail in college to live up to the physical standards of a future NFL player, the NFL scouting fraternity reacts with equal parts disgust and dismay.

“Henderson can cover,” said one executive in personnel. “He also signed a non-aggression pact with the enemy. He doesn’t even make a minimum effort to tackle. I don’t know how a guy can sit in there on Sunday afternoon and watch film with his teammates. He’s got more talent in his little finger than most of us do in our whole body. Against the run, he gets out of the way. The guy doesn’t force anything.”

The size and workout numbers of Henderson and cornerback Justin Gilbert, the eighth player picked in 2014, were remarkably similar. Henderson (6-0 ½, 204, 4.37) had a 37 ½-vertical jump, a 10-7 broad jump and 20 reps on the bench press. Gilbert (6-0, 200, 4.36) had a vert of 35 ½, a broad jump of 10-6 and 20 reps on the bench.

Gilbert, from Oklahoma State, lasted two seasons with Cleveland and another with Pittsburgh. His three career stars mark him as an all-time bust. Like Henderson, he was soft against the run.

“He’s probably the most talented guy in the (cornerback) group but he doesn’t play hard,” said another scout. “He could be the kid from Oklahoma State that went to Cleveland if he messes around … He misses a lot of tackles. He’s everything you want. He just doesn’t compete. He doesn’t tackle. Everybody you talk to at Florida says he’s a great kid — he’s this, he’s that, loves football. Put the film on and you just don’t see it.”

Can a soft collegian be shamed into becoming a more rugged player in the pros?

“If you get the right type of locker room,” one scout replied. “The film doesn’t lie. In the NFL, guys call out guys more than they do in college. Right now, he’s the big dog in college. I don’t care how good he is, when he comes up here he’s not going to be the best player in the room, so guys will call him out. Even offensive players will call defensive players out. He’s shown enough on film that he’s not a coward. I just don’t think they necessarily made him do it.”

With resignation heavy in his voice, an AFC scout said, “I’m a C.J. Henderson guy, as ugly as it gets.” An executive in personnel for another AFC team said Henderson “wasn’t a coward” before adding, “The first game he turned it (contact) down. They (Florida coaches) had a little conversation with him and he improved drastically.”

Said a third AFC scout: “…He’s not going to take the ball away, but he’s a good cover guy. Shit, he’s 6-1 and ran 4.3 something.”

At the combine, Henderson pointed out that an ankle injury affected him. “Coming off of it Week 3 I was dealing with it the rest of the season,” he said. “But I still went out and played and competed. I have a passion for the game, and I’m a good tackler as well. That’s not being said a lot.”

Henderson injured his left ankle in Game 2, sat out the next three games, played seven more and then elected to sit out the Orange Bowl.

“He turns things down,” said an NFL scout under the age of 35. “I think he was playing not to get hurt this year, honestly. Guys do that more than you think. Nowadays, kids are soft.”

Like Henderson, Delpit was a a four-star recruit, and he moved into the lineup as a freshman at a safety position left vacant by the departure of Jamal Adams. The Jets used the sixth pick of the 2017 draft on Adams (5-11 ½, 213, 4.45), and he’s already made the Pro Bowl twice as a wicked force in and around the line of scrimmage.

“But Delpit is a totally different player than Jamal Adams,” one executive said. “Adams was an excellent box guy but couldn’t cover. He was physical. This guy can cover but he has a tackling problem.”

Last season, Delpit won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. An AFC personnel man remains mystified that he did.

“Jim Thorpe rolled over in his grave in Pennsylvania when Delpit won that award,” the scout said. “Forty-four missed tackles in three years. The name of the position comes because you’re the safety net. You’re the one that has to save the touchdown … and they pump him up in Baton Rouge. They sing his praise. He’s kind of like a movie star, he’s got such a presence. He’s in for a rude awakening.”

How could a player with his size (6-2 ½, 213) and reputation manage to miss that many tackles?

“He’s not an athlete so he can’t break down,” an executive said. “That’s why he misses. It’s not because he’s so aggressive. I’m sure his coaches get on him. He just can’t do it. I know he’s got the hype, I know he’s at LSU. It’s a confusing one for me. I haven’t seen a guy miss so many tackles as this guy.”

Two personnel people pointed out that Delpit did tackle better in 2018 than in 2019. “I think too many people were in his ear,” said an AFC personnel man. “He missed tackles a bunch. He’ll be a good player because he’s smart, tough. But I wouldn’t take him in the first (round) and he’s not going in the first, either.”

After calling Delpit “the most overrated guy in the draft,” an executive paused to reconsider and then said, “Yeah, OK. I don’t think he’ll be a bust. I just don’t think he’s special.”

Delpit hurt an ankle in Game 8 but kept playing until the decision was made to keep him out of Game 11. He returned the next week, started through the national championship run and then opted not to go at the combine.

“I played the whole season or pretty much half the season with a high-ankle sprain,” Delpit said in Indianapolis. “The ankle had a lot to do with it (poor tackling). I got it fixed toward the end of the season. It’s all about the approach and not trying to do too much. Just get them on the ground. It’s part of football, and I know I can do it. I’ve been doing it my whole life.”

Undoubtedly, Delpit has been asked by dozens of NFL personnel to explain why his tackling was abominable. The injury card usually doesn’t carry much in the pro game.

“Nobody gives a shit,” said one scout. “If you take your ass out there you’ve got to play. That’s just what it is.”

My poll of 17 personnel people asked them to rank the top six cornerbacks and the top five safeties. A first-place vote was worth either 6 points (for corners) or 5 points (for safeties), and so on.

Jeff Okudah led the way at cornerback with 99 points and 14 first-place votes. He was followed by Henderson (81, two), Trevon Diggs (34), Jaylon Johnson (30), Kristian Fulton (29), Jeff Gladney (23), A.J. Terrell (22), Noah Igbinoghene (13 ½), Damon Arnette (12 ½), Reggie Robinson (six, one), Bryce Hall (five) and Javaris Davis (two).

“There’s no Jalen Ramsey or Darrelle Revis in this group,” one executive said. “But there’s starting-caliber players. There’s six or seven.”

Xavier McKinney was the leading vote-getter at safety with 64 points and nine firsts. He was followed by Delpit (51, three), Antoine Winfield (36), Kyle Dugger (27, two), Ashtyn Davis (22, one), Jeremy Chinn (21, one), Julian Blackmon (11), Brandon Jones (six), K’Von Wallace (six), Daniel Thomas (five, one), Jordan Fuller (two), J.R. Reed (two), Antoine Brooks (one) and Chris Miller (one).

“It’s not good overall,” one personnel man said of the safety class. “McKinney could go, and then it could be a long time before another one goes.”

RANKING THE DEFENSIVE BACKS

“This guy’s better than Denzel Ward,” one scout said about Jeff Okudah. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
CORNERBACKS

1. JEFF OKUDAH, Ohio State (6-1, 205, 4.47, 1): Okudah played sparingly in 2017, served as the No. 3 CB in ’18 and started at LC in ’19. “His feet for a guy that big are insanely good,” said one scout. “This guy’s better than Denzel Ward. He’s bigger. That’s the big key. He’s not as flat-out fast as Denzel but he plays faster than what he ran. If you’re going to nitpick he hasn’t taken the ball away a ton. If I’m going to defend him I’ll say he hasn’t been challenged enough to have big interception numbers. The character is awesome. This kid has the swagger and awesome mental toughness to play corner. You’ve got to have some asshole in you to play corner just in believing in yourself to the point of arrogance almost. I don’t think this kid is arrogant but he has the necessary level of self-confidence to be a great corner. I don’t like to use the term ‘can’t miss’ because there’s way too many variables, but he’s pretty can’t miss.” Okudah finished with 88 tackles, three picks and 21 passes defensed. “He’s just efficient,” another scout said. “He’ll come up and hit you in run support. There’s really not any holes in his game. He has Pro Bowl talent.” Had the best vertical jump (41 inches), broad jump (11-3), wingspan (78 5/8) and percentage of body fat (4.3%) among the top 15 corners. Also scored 30 on the 12-minute, 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test. “He’s a Joe Haden-type player but with more length,” said a third scout. “He’s going to get drafted higher than his true talent. He’ll be a 10-year player. He doesn’t have a lot of ball production and he is a high penalty guy for his career. There is a little bit of a balance issue that sort of gives me pause. He plays hard.” Okudah is from Grand Prairie, Texas. “Yeah, he jumped out of the gym, but he didn’t run (as fast) as people said he would,” a fourth scout said. “He’s extremely duck-footed. He’s kind of stiff in that regard. He’s a tick off in instincts. He’s a little bit wide-based in his transition if you’re going to start nitpicking. I don’t see him in that (great) realm. (Marshon) Lattimore’s a better player. He’s got one year starting. He doesn’t have a lot of experience.”

2. C.J. HENDERSON, Florida (6-0 ½, 204, 4.37, 1): Henderson started 27 of 33 games over three seasons. “You talk about extremely explosive, extremely fast, change of direction, ball skills,” said one scout. “Just an excellent athlete. Has some lapses when he’s in man coverage, but when he’s dialed in in man, he’s super talented. The one thing I questioned was ball-skill finish. But he has rare closing speed.” He failed to intercept a pass in 2019 after picking six in 2017-’18. “Probably a better athlete and he’s faster than Okudah,” said a second scout. “The dropoff between him and Okudah is physicality. He has the size to match up. He can play press, he can play from depth. He’s not stressed by any kind of vertical routes. He’s not a great tackler.” He finished with 93 tackles (eight for loss) and 28 passes defensed. “You couldn’t create a better-looking guy, but he gets beat every tape down the field,” said a third scout. “He leaves you talking to yourself.” Henderson posted a Wonderlic score of 23 and is from Miami. “Just in pure coverage Henderson is better than everybody in the draft,” said a fourth scout. “Talent-wise, height-weight-speed, strength, he’s everything you want. He’s smart. He just doesn’t compete to the film.”

3. JAYLON JOHNSON, Utah (6-0, 193, 4.51, 1-2): Johnson is a third-year junior, two-year starter at LC. “Good man press corner,” said one scout. “Little bit less effective in off. Has size and length. Needs to get a little bit stronger. He’s a little bit lean. He had a shoulder earlier in the year so his tackling was off. I think he’s faster than he ran. I could see him at the end of the first.” Johnson underwent surgery in March for a torn labrum after being injured in September. It was his third shoulder operation. “Other than the shoulder, he’s clean,” a second scout said. “His game’s not strength. It’s his coverage. I think the dude can really cover. He doesn’t show lack of willingness or any inconsistency as a tackler.” He finished with 102 tackles, seven picks and 28 passes defensed. “He’s a stiff player that tends to play high,” a third scout said. “He’s out of balance at the top of routes. When he’s playing off he has dirty eyes. Average to below tackler. He does not hunt the ball. He lacks change of direction when playing off. Good ball production. Does a nice job when matched up with large receivers. He’ll go in the first or second. Would I take him there? No.” Johnson posted a Wonderlic of 21 and is from Fresno, Calif.

4. TREVON DIGGS, Alabama (6-1 ½, 205, no 40, 1-2): Returned for his senior season after missing the last nine games of 2018 because of foot surgery. ”He’s a prototype man-press corner,” said one scout. “He has things you can’t teach: size, length (position-best 32 ¾ arms) and he can run. Right away he helps you getting his hands on guys early in the down in like a Seattle kind of scheme. You want him in the receiver’s face getting his hands on him early. He has a lot of upside.” Other scouts aren’t so sure his speed is adequate. He chose not to run at the combine. “Some people say he’s a 4.55 guy, but I think he’s a 4.65 guy,” a second scout said. “This kid has great, great ball skills. Great body control. Things that worry me, you don’t have a verified speed and you see him grabbing when he doesn’t need to grab.” His body fat of 10.2% was the second-highest of the top 10 corners. “I don’t think he’s lifted a finger since he’s been there,” said a third scout. “It shows up on the field. He plays really lazy and loose. Gives up a lot of big plays because he doesn’t focus. … I think he’s had his foot in the NFL since his brother (Stefon) got in.” Diggs started 19 of 46 games, finishing with 68 tackles, four picks and 21 passes defensed. “Run support? You can forget it,” a fourth scout said. “He’s one of those guys who finds every way out to get out of a tackle. He gets beat up on blocks. Weak tackler. In off cover, you don’t see any quick twitch. No mirror (ability). He didn’t run well. He was consistently beat.” Diggs posted a Wonderlic score of 15 and is from Gaithersburg, Md.

A.J. Terrell is “young and he’s big and he’s fast so somebody will take a chance on him,” a scout says. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
5. A.J. TERRELL, Clemson (6-1, 194, 4.40, 1-2): A third-year junior, Terrell “looks the part,” said one scout. “You’re OK with him until the LSU game. I thought that game, in and of itself, would have kept him in school. He got twisted and turned and lost. For a good player, it was an embarrassing performance. But he’s young and he’s big and he’s fast, so somebody will take a chance on him.” His 40 time ranked second behind Henderson among the top 15 corners. “I don’t mind him,” said another scout. “He lacks body control. He’s always on the ground, always struggling. He falls down a lot.” He appeared to be the guilty party on TD passes to LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase covering 52, 56 and 14 yards. “It’s not the LSU game that killed it for me,” said a third scout. “That No. 1 from LSU (Chase) kicked everybody’s ass. He’s probably the second most talented guy behind Henderson but doesn’t play hard and misses tackles. At the same time, you see a guy that’s big and fast and can cover. As good of an athlete as he is, he does have some stiffness and he plays a little too high at times.” Terrell posted a Wonderlic of 10 and is from Atlanta.

6. JEFF GLADNEY, TCU (5-10, 191, 4.48, 1-2): Gladney is the shortest of the top 12 players at the position, “but he does have length (31 7/8 arms),” one scout said. “He’s really good. Feisty. He’ll come up in run support. What holds me back is you do see the lack of height show up against bigger targets. Second round.” Gladney blew out his knee in the playoffs of his senior high school season in New Boston, Texas. He underwent meniscus surgery in March not long after the combine. “I do like him,” said a second scout. “He’s 5102 (5-10 ¼). That’s big enough in today’s football. He’s better than (Damon) Arnette. He’s got explosion, quickness, ball skills. You’d like to see more interceptions. His movement skills are pretty good.” Gladney posted a Wonderlic of 16 and started 42 of 50 games, finishing with 146 tackles, five picks and 43 passes defensed. “He’s little, but he’s a starting nickel,” a third scout said. Added a fourth scout: “There’s a lot of stuff that he’s not but he’s a good football player. His ceiling is not as high as Henderson or Okudah, but his floor is higher than Henderson’s. Not great speed.”

7. KRISTIAN FULTON, LSU (5-11 ½, 197, 4.47, 1-2): Fulton was suspended for the 2017 season by the NCAA for using another person’s urine for a drug test. Following a 19-month battle, he was reinstated shortly before the ’18 season and went on to start two seasons at LC. “Good, solid player,” said one scout. “Is he great? Absolutely not. He’s got 30-inch (30 5/8) arms. He panics a little bit. He’s got more penalties than interceptions. He makes some plays downfield but he gives up some, too.” Finished with 65 tackles, two picks and 25 passes defensed. “Before the season started people talked about him as a top-15 pick,” said another scout. “I don’t see it. Good man cover guy. The issue is physicality, tackling. He’s similar to Henderson there. They’re both not good. I would say Henderson is better but neither is a good tackler.” Fulton posted a Wonderlic of 15 and is from New Orleans. “May not have the top top-end (speed) but he knows how to play,” said a third scout. “Crafty. Competitive.”

8. NOAH IGBINOGHENE, Auburn (5-10 ½, 197, 4.51, 1-2): Igbinoghene is a third-year junior, and a two-year starter at RC. “I really like Noah,” said one scout. “He’s going to get beat up a little bit because he’s not natural judging the ball in the air, but that kid can tackle and he can play some man to man. But with the ball in the air he’s a little shaky. He showed up in the Bama game. He’s not your lead guy. He’s a No. 2 corner.” He posted a 40-inch vertical jump. “I’m not sure he couldn’t play corner or safety and do both well,” a second scout said. “He’s fast. He’s strong. He’s tough. He’s mean. He didn’t run as fast as we thought he was going to. He ran 4.5, which isn’t terrible. He’s not a takeaway guy, but he’s a pretty neat package. At worst, second round.” He finished with 92 tackles, one pick and 19 passes defensed. He posted a Wonderlic of 22 and was a backup WR until spring ball in 2018. “He has upside because he has limited time at corner,” a third scout said. “He got better as the season went on. He’s willing in run support, which is surprising as a former receiver. Great kid. He played against top-level guys. You’re just betting on the come.” He’s from Trussville, Ala.

9. DAMON ARNETTE, Ohio State (5-11 ½, 195, 4.51, 2): A three-year starter at RC after playing extensively as a redshirt freshman in 2016, Arnette “can play on the perimeter and in the slot,” said one scout. “He is very physical. Maybe not as fast and athletically gifted as some other guys. Instinctive and tough. Man or zone fit. The concern with him is some off-the-field stuff.” An extremely emotional player with what one scout described as a “knucklehead mentality.” Said a third scout: “He’s as good of a leader as they have on the team. He’s an edge guy. If I’m going to a junkyard I want this guy with me. His program character is outstanding. His off-field stuff is a concern.” Arnette finished with 140 tackles, five picks and 27 passes defensed. “If you’re taking character out of it, I would love to have him in the third,” another scout said. “He’s a nickel. He’s twitchy. His short-area quickness and being able to stick his foot in the ground and close on routes is what makes him special. He’s long speed’s not great to play outside. Inside, he’s everything you want as a nickel.” From Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

10. BRYCE HALL, Virginia (6-1, 202, no 40, 2-3): Hall arrived in Charlottesville as a WR but was quickly switched to CB. He started 39 of 44 games over four years. “I think he’ll be a super value pick,” said one scout. “You get him in the third or fourth and he’s a potential starter outside. He’s not a shutdown No. 1 but I trusted his game more than Gladney, Terrell and Diggs. He’s coming off a broken ankle.” Hall underwent surgery after suffering the major injury in Game 6. “Kind of a wild card,” a second scout said. “You liked his junior tape. He got his hands on a ton of balls. Might have to be a safety.” He finished with 154 tackles (9 ½ for loss), five picks and 44 passes defensed and posted a Wonderlic of 27. “I don’t know how he’s going to come back from that injury, but he does have starter traits,” a third scout said. “I thought his speed was average. You like how big he is. If the smarts check out I could see him being a safety. Against little quick, fast dudes, I thought he struggled. He can match up against big, physical receivers, but I don’t think he’s very loose.” Hall is from Harrisburg, Pa.

11. REGGIE ROBINSON, Tulsa (6-1, 202, 4.49, 3): Robinson blossomed as a senior. “He’s big-time,” said one scout. “He’s the entire package. They played Oklahoma State, and Tylan Wallace will be a first-rounder next year. This guy covered him. I saw him play Memphis, which could have a first-rounder next year in (Damonte) Coxie and SMU, which had (good) receivers. He always is in the right spot at the right time, in zone and man. To me, this is what you want in a corner. He comes up and he hits people.” He led the position on the Wonderlic with 32 and tied for the lead in the bench press (22). He had a vertical jump of 36, broad jump of 11-0. “He’s just scratching the surface,” another scout said. “He had a really good week at the Senior Bowl. I don’t know if I want to draft him and start him next year but Year 2 you could really have something.” A four-year starter, he finished with 132 tackles, four picks and 38 passes defensed. “He’s probably draftable – but by another team,” an unimpressed scout said. Robinson is from Cleburne, Texas.

12. CAMERON DANTZLER, Mississippi State (6-2, 188, 4.60, 3): Dantzler is the tallest and slowest prospect among the top 25 corners. “I liked him a lot but he ran terrible,” one scout said. “On tape, really good instincts, short-area quickness, loose athlete, ball skills. Competes for the ball. Good in run support.” A fourth-year junior, Dantzler redshirted in 2016 before starting 22 of 35 games. “Top of the second round before he ran,” another scout said. “He’s gone from there. Probably middle of the third day now. Although wasn’t Richard Sherman a fifth-rounder? With his height, you don’t have to run as fast as some of the others. You still have coverage.” Two other problems: short arms (30 5/8) and 11.4% body fat, the highest among the top 12 corners. He was removed from one team’s draft board because of makeup concerns. “He’s a good player,” said a third scout. “My biggest problem with him is his body type. He’s really skinny so he’ll have durability issues. I’m worried about the body more than anything.” Dantzler is from Hammond, La.

OTHERS, in order: Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech; Troy Pride, Notre Dame; Javaris Davis, Auburn; Michael Ojemudia, Iowa; John Reid, Penn State; L’Jarius Sneed, Louisiana Tech; Kindle Vildor, Georgia Southern; Darnay Holmes, UCLA; Josiah Scott, Michigan State; Bopete Keyes, Tulane; Dane Jackson, Pitt; Madre Harper, Southern Illinois; Nevelle Clark, Central Florida; Harrison Hand, Temple; Lavert Hill, Michigan; Essang Bassey, Wake Forest; Zane Lewis, Air Force; A.J. Green, Oklahoma State; Lamar Jackson, Nebraska.

SAFETIES

“If you can play safety and run the show for (Nick) Saban, you’re a damn good football player. Xavier McKinney was asked to do a lot.”(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
1. XAVIER McKINNEY, Alabama (6-0 ½, 201, 4.65, 1-2): McKinney is possibly the most polarizing player in the secondary. “He didn’t run a great 40, but he’s a good football player, man,” said one scout. “If he can play safety and run the show for (Nick) Saban, you’re a damn good football player. He was asked to do a lot.” McKinney is a third-year junior and two-year starter. “Everybody says how smart he is,” said another scout. “He didn’t do a great job on the interview. Everybody says he calls it, he runs the show for them on the back end. To me, it looks like he’s looking at No. 21 (Jared Mayden) asking him what he’s supposed to do. He’s looking to other people … I do think he plays faster than he timed. Great players make plays. This kid doesn’t.” In addition to the poor 40, he posted average testing numbers. “There’s no bust there,” a third scout said. “He’s a really good player. He’s a winner. He’s a leader. He can be versatile. I don’t think he has an elite trait except probably his instincts.” He scored 11 on the Wonderlic and finished with 176 tackles (13 for loss), six sacks, five forced fumbles, five picks and 20 passes defenses. “That’s all he is is a starter,” said a fourth scout. “He’ll be exposed. He won’t be able to run. Nice kid. Looks like he’s got pretty good hands. He’ll be in a good position, but speed will be his Achilles.” He’s from Roswell, Ga. “Late in the year he missed a hell of a lot more tackles than he made,” a fifth scout said. “This guy is not a first-round player. I don’t see a ballhawk. I don’t see a hammer. I don’t see a guy who can cover the field. He’s a good cover guy against tight ends and backs, not great. But I don’t think he can cover wide receivers.” Added a sixth scout: “They’ve had some other guys come out of there but he’s probably the most complete package compared to Ha Ha (Clinton-Dix), Ronnie Harrison, Landon Collins. He’s better than all those guys. He’s more well-rounded. I’ll take that one to court.”

2. KYLE DUGGER, Lenoir-Rhyne (6-1, 217, 4.48, 2): Dugger didn’t start until his senior year in high school. His only offer was from NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, which is located in Hickory, N.C. “That’s in-between App State and Charlotte,” said one scout. “I like him. He’s tough and he can tackle. Technique-wise, he’s got a long ways to go because of where he played.” Started 42 games over six years, redshirting in 2014 and receiving a medical redshirt (meniscus) in ’16. “He has everything athletically that you want,” another scout said. “At the Senior Bowl, against very good competition, he showed up. For a small-school kid he knew exactly what they were doing. He’s just a great kid. I’d take him in the first round. He does miss tackles but it’s not because of a lack of want-to.” Dugger finished with 237 tackles (6 ½ for loss), 10 picks and 36 passes defensed. “He’s like (Isaiah) Simmons and (Jeremy) Chinn,” a third scout said. “Can play a lot of different spots. He can really run. It’s going to be a little bit of a transition coming from Division II, but he’s got all the tools.” He led the safeties in vertical jump (42), wingspan (78 ½), arm length (32 7/8), hand size (10 3/8) and body fat (4.0%) and scored 23 on the Wonderlic. “He’s real,” a fourth scout said. “He’s a fearless tackler. He’s got range. Makes plays all over the field. Man-to-man coverage skills. He may go in the second.” Dugger is from Decatur, Ga.

3. ANTOINE WINFIELD, Minnesota (5-9, 203, 4.44. 2-3): His father, Antoine, was voted to one Pro Bowl (2008) as a 14-year CB for the Bills and Vikings. “Love him – he’s just little,” said one scout. “He’s a starter. His interview … you talk about knock it out of the park. Omigosh. He might be one of the best interviews ever. The dad was a great player, and I don’t use great very often. He’s a hitter, too.” Winfield was limited to four games in 2017 because of a hamstring injury and four games in ’18 because of a Lisfranc tear. The medical is a concern for some teams. “That (manning the slot) is what makes him such a good player,” another scout said. “He’s so versatile. He ran well. You didn’t see a lot of elite burst and explosion but he was always there because he’s so heady. He’s a really good tackler. He’s not a very big guy and he’s got shorter arms (30 1/8). But he had such a good feel when he needed to cut guys, when he needed to wrap. Instinctive guys like that are hard to find. I just wanted to keep watching more of him.” He finished with 177 tackles (seven for loss), four sacks, nine picks (seven in ’19) and 15 passes defensed. He posted a Wonderlic of 20. “I wanted to kill him, but I can’t,” a third scout said. “He just earns your trust. This kid hits hard. Not as hard (as his father), but pretty close. Second round.” From Houston.

4. GRANT DELPIT , LSU (6-2 ½, 213, no 40, 2-3): Delpit declared a year early after starting all three seasons. “He’s probably the best (safety),” said one scout. “This guy is too big and fast, and has too good cover skills. He can be a tight-end eraser, which everybody’s looking for. He’s first-round worthy.” His best season was 2018, and he finished his career with 199 total tackles (17 ½ for loss), seven sacks, eight interceptions and 32 passes defensed. “I do like him,” a second scout said. “I wish Delpit played more effectively tackling the ball carrier this year. I’ve seen him do it better in past years. I think he’s a gifted guy athletically. I think he’s going to be a starter early.” He posted 27 on the Wonderlic. “I think he can cover tight ends,” a third scout said. “He’s a big guy. He can do a lot of good things, but I’m not a big fan. He played free safety most of the time, but I wouldn’t play him at free because he can’t tackle. He made all the tackles where the guy is coming to him. Anyone can make those. But when he had to tackle people in space he had a hard time. I think he has good coaches. They have good (defensive backs) come out every year. I don’t think it’s coaching. The kid has to do it. Does he have a skill set to do it? Yes, but I don’t know if he will.” Delpit is from Houston.

“I thought he was the second-best safety,” a scout said about Cal’s Ashtyn Davis. “He can frigging run if you watch the film.” (Photo by Matt Cohen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
5. ASHTYN DAVIS, California (6-1, 202, no 40, 3): A three-year starter at FS with a unique story. “He was on the (Cal) track team (as a hurdler) and had played football in high school,” one scout said. “Showed up at the football office and walked on. He said, ‘I can do this.’ This dude is legit fast, tough. I thought he was the second-best safety. He can frigging run if you watch the film. I thought he was a do-it-all safety. He’s a wild card. You get this guy in the second round, he looks like he’ll be a stud.” Davis finished with 171 tackles, seven picks and 19 passes defensed and underwent groin surgery on Dec. 18. He was cleared to work at the combine; did position drills but didn’t run. “Has a little ruggedness to him,” a scout said. “Played most of the season with the groin and a shoulder. He has that true deep post range.” He played for a tiny high school in Santa Cruz, Calif. “He was the best safety that I saw for special teams,” an NFL special-teams coordinator said. “This thing is screwing him up because people can’t medical check him. You talk about a guy that would run down the field and run through a blocker and blow people up … this guy did it.” He scored 25 on the Wonderlic. “He’s straight-line fast,” a third scout said. “He’s a track guy. He is really smart; he has that going for him. He gets people on the same page. He can find the ball. But I think he’s stiff. He’s on the ground. He does not cover well. I think he’ll be able to cover tight ends but whenever you blitz your nickel he’ll struggle covering the No. 2 receiver or the slot receiver. Lot of missed tackles in space.” Davis moved from CB to safety in 2017. “You’ll hear about him as an athlete, but I don’t like him,” said a fourth scout. “He’s a former track guy, and he plays like a track guy. Not very instinctive. You don’t see the athletic transfer to being a football player.”

6. JEREMY CHINN, Southern Illinois (6-3, 222, 4.41, 3): Chinn is a four-year starter at SS. “This guy is like (Isaiah) Simmons,” said one scout. “If I was a defensive coordinator I would want this guy because he could help me a lot. I watched him last year against Ole Miss as he covered A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf. He covered Metcalf with no problem, and he had a great breakup on an over route to Brown. I don’t like small-school guys, but when I can see them play against a Southeastern Conference school that’s what sold me.” Had the highest Wonderlic (30) and best broad jump (11-6) of the safeties. “He’s very similar to Isaiah Simmons,” said another scout. “Do you want Simmons at No. 4 or Jeremy Chinn at the top of the second? He’s a beautiful-looking kid. Has all the test measurables. Good player on tape. Can play man coverage. He played against A.J. Brown and did a really good job. He’s a great kid, too.” Finished with 243 tackles (five for loss), 13 picks and 31 passes defensed. “Don’t believe the hype,” an NFL special-teams coordinator said. “He is a pretty looking guy but you don’t see any of that on tape. He’s not really a contact player. He’s one of the guys who looks good getting off the bus. Usually special teams are a pretty good indicator (of play on defense). Sometimes not because they don’t care. Usually guys that ball, ball. They don’t care if it’s fourth down or first down.” Also had a 41-inch vertical jump and 30 reps on the bench. “He’s OK,” a third scout said. “Not a strong tackler. One thing he can do is run. Needs better control in space. Late reactor. Can he be a corner? I’m not sure.” Chinn is from Fishers, Ind., and has suffered three major injuries (two shoulders, one foot) since 2016.

7. JULIAN BLACKMON, Utah (5-11 ½, 187, no 40, 3-5): Blackmon underwent reconstructive knee surgery in December. “He’s kind of getting forgotten in this class because he’s been the hurt guy,” one scout said. “Those ACL guys usually go fourth or fifth round. Someone will try to stash him for a year. He can legitimately play corner and safety. I thought he was a Day 2 corner. He transitioned to safety, and it looked like he had been there a long time.” He shifted from CB to safety in 2019 when the Utes needed someone to replace Marquise Blair. “Talent-wise, he’s a starter,” a second scout said. “He got exposed a little bit (at corner) from a speed standpoint. They asked him to move to safety and he gained 20 pounds. Like a great teammate, he embraced the move. It was probably the best thing he could have ever done. He helped his career. He’s one of the better safeties. He was an excellent tackler, which wasn’t a strong point when he was playing corner. He was really good in coverage.” Blackmon finished with 158 tackles, nine picks and 29 passes defensed. “I didn’t think he was very good at all,” a third scout said. “Aware and plays with effort, but not a good athlete, lacks play speed, average tackler.” Blackmon posted a Wonderlic of 22 and is from Layton, Utah.

8. TERRELL BURGESS, Utah (5-11 ½, 202, 4.42, 3-4): Burgess played sparingly as a CB and WR in 2016, functioned as the nickel back in 2017-’18 and started at safety in ’19. “I had no idea he’d run a 4.4,” said one scout. “He looked like a good free agent. He’ll go in the fourth or fifth now.” He started 17 of 45 games, finishing with 116 tackles (nine for loss), one pick and 10 passes defensed. “He’s interesting,” another scout said. “He’s not in the top three rounds. He’s down the line because of his size and he’s always gonna have short arms (29 ½). Best thing he does is play with smarts and toughness. Good tackler, really good hands.” Arms were the shortest of the top 12 safeties. “He could legitimately play safety, but he also has starting nickel ability,” said a third scout. “I think he has more man cover ability than (K’Von) Wallace. He’s a really good little player. There’s a ton of love for him in the league. Maybe third round. He’s not getting out of the fourth.” Burgess posted a Wonderlic of 17 and is from San Marcos, Calif.

OTHERS, in order: K’Von Wallace, Clemson; Brandon Jones, Texas; J.R. Reed, Georgia; Daniel Thomas, Auburn; Kenny Robinson, ex-West Virginia (XFL); Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame; Chris Miller, Baylor; Antoine Brooks, Maryland; Josh Metellus, Michigan; Jordan Fuller, Ohio State; Geno Stone, Iowa; Brian Cole, Mississippi State; Jared Mayden, Alabama; Myles Dorn, North Carolina; Jalen Elliott, Notre Dame; Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Universite De Montreal.0

THE SKINNY
UNSUNG HERO

John Reid, CB, Penn State: A three-year starter with ball production (seven picks, 37 passes defensed) and modest return ability, Reid lacks size (5-10 ½, 187) but ran 4.46 and had the fastest short shuttle (3.96) at the position. He played outside in base, inside in nickel. “He has great quickness – you can hang your hat on that,” one scout said.

SCOUTS’ NIGHTMARE

Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech: A three-year starter with exceptional production (14 picks, 48 passes defensed), Robertson declared a year early. But he’s just 5-8 ½, 187 and didn’t run at the combine. “One of my favorite players in the whole draft,” said one scout. “He went up against Collin Johnson (of Texas, who is 6-5 ½, 222) and fought him the whole game. Like Terrell Buckley, if he’s coming through town he’s gonna get shot but he’s gonna do some damage himself.”

SCOUT TO REMEMBER

Elbert Dubenion: He began his scouting career with the Bills in 1969. After a decade in Buffalo, he scouted for the Dolphins (served as their assistant director of player personnel in the mid-1980s), returned to the Bills’ staff and then retired in 2000 after about 13 years in the Falcons’ scouting department. Known as “Dubie” in scouting circles, he came out of tiny Bluffton College in Ohio to forge a record-setting career as a wide receiver for the Bills in the 1960s. “He always made a point of checking out the players from the small schools because he was from a small school, too,” his daughter, Carolyn, told the Buffalo News. He died from Parkinson’s disease on Dec. 26 at age 86.

QUOTE TO NOTE

NFL executive in personnel: “First of all, you have to think, can this guy play in multiple schemes? If we have a turnover in this staff, is this guy going to be able to play for us in three years? Scouts have to think long term and coaches think immediately: ‘How quickly can I get this guy up to speed and on the field?’”