Prior to the 2007 NFL Draft, Real Football is providing newyorkjets.com with position-by-position analysis of the top prospects. Today's final installment: safeties.
LaRon Landry, LSU
Strengths: Possesses excellent size and strength and elite speed. Is a violent hitter. Has a nose for the ball and loves to blow up the ballcarrier. Capable of playing in all types of coverage — can play man vs. most TEs, has the speed to make plays deep on the sideline, and has a very good feel for zone. Closes very quickly on the ball. Has excellent instincts and reaction skills and does a good job reading the QB. Has excellent range and gets his hands on a lot of balls.
Weaknesses: Can play out of control at times. Will too often try to make the big hit instead of wrapping up and tackling.
Bottom Line: Landry is one of the top players in this draft. He is the complete package and can be an impact defender against the run and the pass. He has all the tools to be a great NFL safety.
Reggie Nelson, Florida
Strengths: Has great size and athleticism and elite speed. Versatile defender who can drop down in the slot or in man coverage against the TE, and also has the range to play centerfield in the deep middle. Very good at reading plays and reacting quickly. Has excellent hands and makes a ton of plays on the ball. Aggressive run defender who loves to lay the wood. Has a knack for making the big play in the big spot. Has a great motor and plays the game with a lot of energy.
Weaknesses: Can be overaggressive, particularly against the run.
Bottom Line: Nelson is remarkably polished for an early-ntry player. He's a big-ime playmaker whose passion and intensity make everyone around him better. He is versatile and can play both safety spots in addition to special teams. A future NFL star.
Brandon Meriweather, Miami
Strengths: Smart, instinctive player with big-play ability. Excels in coverage and is versatile enough to play either safety spot or nickelback in the slot. Is smooth in transition, gets a good jump on balls and has range to cover sideline to sideline. Always around the ball, will intercept passes, and is an instinctive runner with the ball in his hands. Willing in run support.
Weaknesses: Significant character issues. Lacks ideal size and speed. Not a natural athlete. Though effort is there, is not a strong run defender.
Bottom Line: Meriweather doesn't possess ideal physical tools, but he is a very good football player and a smart playmaker. Unfortunately, since his major role in the Miami-Florida International brawl last season, scouts spend more time talking about his considerable character issues than anything positive he has done on the field. With the NFL's new conduct policy looming, this potential first-round talent could be the first to feel the impact as he slips to the end of Day One or later.
Michael Griffin, Texas
Strengths: Good size and bulk. A tough, hard-nosed player who is a better run defender than he is in coverage. Comfortable taking on linemen as the eighth man down in the box. Enough speed and closing burst to be an effective blitzer — times the blitz well. Agile and athletic and has the physical tools to play in zone coverage. Good footwork and fluid hips allow him to play in limited man coverage.
Weaknesses: Struggles with the mental part of the game. Doesn't possess natural instincts. Has poor read-and-react skills and can often be caught out of position. Not a sound tackler.
Bottom Line: Griffin will be drafted higher than he should because of his size and agility. He will start early in his career because of his athletic ability, toughness size and strength, but he will struggle with the mental side of the game and be terribly inconsistent.
