NFL mock draft: Ranking the top safeties
Central Florida safety Richie Grant (top) sacks Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire)
April 13th, 2021
We’re charging headlong toward the 2021 NFL Draft, which kicks off April 29 and will see hundreds of the country’s top college players find out their next destinations.
Although big-name quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are likely to be among the top picks, there are plenty of game-changing safeties available, as well. Here are the top five.
5. Andre Cisco, Syracuse
Cisco is one of the biggest risk-reward propositions in the draft.
He is coming off a torn ACL, but tallied 13 interceptions in college and stopped the timer in 4.33 seconds for his 40-yard dash.
He gambles plenty in coverage, but if he lands in the right situation, with patient coaches who can groom him into a more refined product, he could be a defensive weapon.
Best DB Class in the Draft.. I like Us over Whoever!! #DBU 🦅🦅🦅@TrillWilliams6 @Ifeatu_Mel pic.twitter.com/hVTE1ZLcem
— Dre Cisco (@andrecisco7) April 11, 2021
4. Elijah Molden, Washington
Molden is undersized, at just 5-foot-10, but his stats tell a compelling story.
He is more than capable in coverage, and his nose for the football is an asset against both the pass and run.
He also has NFL pedigree, as his father, Alex, played in the league.
3. Richie Grant, Central Florida
Grant’s stock soared, following a head-turning performance at the Senior Bowl, where he held his own in one-on-one drills against wide receivers. One could’ve confused him for a cornerback, and it illustrated his potential.
Add in his run-support instincts, and you have a player who should succeed at the next level.
2. Jamar Johnson, Indiana
Johnson announced his presence with authority, when he intercepted two passes against Ohio State, and he was a big reason for the Hoosiers’ leap forward in 2020.
He is tremendous in coverage, and that will undoubtedly be attractive to NFL front offices looking for secondary depth.
1. Trevon Moehrig, TCU
There are plenty of reasons NFL scouts are excited about Moehrig. At 6-foot-2 and just north of 200 pounds, he ticks plenty of boxes from a physical standpoint, and he has plenty of game tape to show what he can do.
He is strong in coverage for a safety, and he can also come up and defend the run efficiently.
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