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Scouting safeties in the NFL requires evaluating a player's size, speed, instincts, tackling ability, coverage skills, and ball skills.
Below is a list of critical components we use to grade the safety position during the NFL Draft process. Every safety receives a grade on a scale of 1-10 for each of the below components during the scouting process. Once each player component is graded, we attach a final grade to indicate where the player stands before entering the NFL Draft, and then we attach a ceiling grade based on future potential.
Here are some key factors to consider when scouting a safety:
Size: A safety needs size and strength to make tackles and shed blocks. This includes their ability to generate power at the point of attack, maintain leverage, and finish tackles.
Speed and Agility: A safety needs to be fast and agile enough to cover ground in pass coverage and pursue ball carriers in the open field. This includes their ability to change direction quickly, accelerate off the snap, and close on the ball.
Tackling Ability: A safety must be a reliable tackler, as they are often the last line of defense against ball carriers. This includes their ability to maintain good form, wrap up ball carriers, and drive them to the ground.
Coverage Ability: A safety needs to be able to cover receivers, tight ends, and running backs in pass coverage. This includes their ability to read and react to the quarterback's movements, maintain tight coverage, and break up passes.
Ball Skills: A safety needs good ball skills to make interceptions and disrupt passes. This includes their ability to track the ball in the air, time their jumps, and make plays on the ball.
Instincts: A safety needs strong instincts to read and react to offensive formations and anticipate plays. This includes their ability to recognize offensive schemes, diagnose plays, and communicate with their teammates.
Versatility: A safety needs to be versatile enough to play different positions and execute different defensive schemes. This includes their ability to adjust to different offensive formations, work effectively with different linebackers and cornerbacks, and contribute to special teams.
Football IQ: A safety's football intelligence is vital to make quick decisions and adjustments on the field. This includes their ability to recognize offensive formations, diagnose plays, and communicate with their teammates.
Durability: A safety's durability is important, as they will be taking a lot of hits and making a lot of tackles on the field. This includes their ability to stay healthy and recover quickly from injuries.
When scouting a safety, it's important to evaluate all of these factors and the player's overall performance on the field. It's also important to consider the team's specific needs and whether the safety's skills and attributes match the team's defensive system and style of play. Additionally, it's important to consider the safety's penalties and mental mistakes, as these can be a liability for the defense.