Alright Steelers fans, for this week’s draft preview we’re going to take a look at the safety position. Being fans of a team that had the best safety in NFL history in Troy Polamalu, we take this position very seriously. Instincts, speed, toughness, and the ability to deliver a jarring hit or jump in front of a pass and take it the other way to the house- that’s what we’re looking for. Is that player in this draft class? Only time will tell but let’s look at some of the top prospects.
Caleb Downs, 6’0” 206lbs, Ohio State
Strengths
-Play recognition; diagnose plays quickly and put himself in a position to make a play
-Good tackler who wraps up and drives through ball carrier
-Excellent body control with the ability to cover slot receivers and tight ends
-Special teams/Return ability
-Comes from a football family; father and uncle played in the NFL
Weaknesses
-Good but not elite speed
-Needs to get better at shedding blocks
-Can get caught by play action and looking to make a play on the run
Projection: For weeks into the college football season, Caleb Downs was considered the top overall prospect in this year’s draft class.