While many scouts got their summer underway studying Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the quarterbacks from the 2021 class, I decided to start from the complete opposite end of the cycle, the safeties.
It’s a very promising and diverse group of players, each bringing their own style to the game. With the return of Hamsah Nasirildeen and buzz surrounding Syracuse’s Andre Cisco, some believe this could be one of the better safety groups in recent years.
I put the class under the microscope to determine my Top-10 Safety Rankings and if this class is really as good as some claim it to be.
2021 NFL Draft: Top-10 Safety Rankings
10. James Wiggins, Cincinnati
Going into last season, I was ecstatic to get to see James Wiggins play for the Bearcats. That unfortunately never happened as Wiggins went down with a torn ACL just two days before the season opener. He’s no doubt talented though. Wiggins was previously listed on Bruce Feldman’s “Freak List”, posting a 4.40 40-yard dash, 37″ vertical, 11-foot broad jump, while also bench pressing 405 and squatting 675. In short, he’s a monster. He’s got good ball skills and I think his best fit at the next level is at the nickel, though he could develop into one of the better coverage safeties when it is all said and done.
9. Andre Cisco, Syracuse
No safety on this list has as much buzz going into the 2020 college football season as Syracuse’s Andre Cisco. I went into his tape blind and, unfortunately, came away a bit disappointed. Cisco has great size, good speed and is a physical player, however, he fails to be that true difference-maker that his incredible stats elude to. Most of his interceptions are off deflected balls and he is often late to contest catches. He has the ability to develop into a game-changer on the back end, but at this time he needs work before he can develop into the ball-hawking safety some bill him as.
8. JaCoby Stevens, LSU
As The Draft Network’s Benjamin Solak says, “This is a healthy young man.” JaCoby Stevens is built like a linebacker and plays like a safety. Listed at 6’2″, 230 pounds, Stevens plays fast for his size. He’s a versatile chess piece but is best suited near the line of scrimmage where he can use his big frame and athleticism to handle the run and short to intermediate passing attacks. NFL defensive coordinators will love this guy.
7. Richard LeCounte III, Georgia
With the departure of fellow safety JR Reed, Richard LeCounte steps in as leader of the Bulldogs’ defense in 2020. While LeCounte isn’t an athletic freak like some listed on here, he is one of the more polished safeties in the class. With that said, his ceiling is pretty low. In 2019, LeCounte amounted 61 tackles and four interceptions as he helped lead the Bulldogs to another SEC title appearance. As a prospect, however, I’m not convinced he will ever be an impact player for an NFL team.
6. Trevon Moehrig, TCU
Trevon Moehrig, the first of TCU’s dominant safety pairing, is one of the class’s best coverage safeties. Moehrig possesses fantastic ball skills, good size and speed. While he isn’t a true single-high safety, he can cover a lot of ground and fast. His greatest limitation, however, comes as a tackler. Simply put, he isn’t good at it. If Moehrig can sure up his tackling and fix some other issues, he could fly up draft boards.
5. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State
It’s a testament to this safety class’s strength that I have Hamsah Nasirildeen this low because he’s a dang good football player. Listed at 6’4″, Nasirildeen just might be the most versatile defender on this list. Nasirildeen is a long rangy safety who brings solid coverage ability and is stout in the run game. He’s coming off of an ACL injury so that will be something to monitor in 2020. He’s certainly talented enough to end up being a 1st round selection.
4. Paris Ford, Pittsburgh
Who pissed this guy off? Paris Ford plays with more passion than just about anyone I’ve seen. He flies all over the field looking to ruin someone’s day. He’s a vicious hitter and a heck of an athlete. With such speed though, I’d like to see Ford in coverage more often. Pittsburgh likes to play him close to the box. I think he has the potential to not only be a difference-maker near the line of scrimmage but in coverage as well. Hopefully, we get to see more versatility in Ford’s game in 2020.
3. Ar’Darius Washington, TCU
I am in love. Ar’Darius Washington was as fun a study as I have done in the last 4 years. He’s lightning-quick, has incredible ball skills, and for just a 5’8″ safety, he loves being physical as well. His size will limit his value as teams will question what he can do in man coverage against tight ends and “big slots,” but in terms of his range and zone coverage ability, he is simply one of the best. For an upcoming redshirt-sophomore, he’s incredibly nuanced and I believe his talent and awareness will take him a long way. Don’t let his size deter you from taking this Horned Frog.
2. Caden Sterns, Texas
This is a bit of a projection. Caden Sterns‘ 2019 tape was not as good as some of the players listed below him, however, I’m buying in on his incredible talent and 2018 film here. His 2019 season was plagued with nagging injuries and it hindered Sterns from making the same impact plays that he had in his freshman year at Texas. I’m hopeful that Sterns returns to dominance on the back end of the Longhorns’ defense. If he can, he’s this class’ best bet at a single-high safety. He can FLY.
1. Jevon Holland, Oregon
Jevon Holland is undoubtedly the best safety prospect in college football, leading the nation’s best secondary for the Ducks. He isn’t your ball-hawking single-high safety, but he is as polished as they come and has the coverage ability and run defense to be a high pick come April. While Holland isn’t a master in any particular area, there are really no holes in his game either. He also brings some special teams value as a returner if teams are looking for a versatile player, this is it. Holland is best suited as a Cover-2 safety who can be a force both in coverage and in the run game.
