PROTOTYPE: WHO IS THE ULTIMATE SAFETY IN THE 2024 NFL DRAFT?
On April 25th, the NFL Draft 2024 will take place in Detroit, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into various prospects through new thematic articles, the “Prototype.” The idea is simple: identify the perfect prospect, highlighting the main quality of each player entered in the draft. Today, let’s focus on the top safeties in the lineup.
Speed: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson.
Long known for its offensive players, Texas Tech University tends to produce quite perplexing defensive athletes. A year after Tyree Wilson, it was Dadrion Taylor-Demerson who made an impression at the 2024 Combine, clocking an impressive time of 4.41 seconds, the best mark at the position.
While he needs to better utilize this speed, particularly in angle-taking and changes of direction, the Red Raider has performed at the collegiate level in numerous areas, evidenced by his 147 tackles, 13 passes defended, and 7 interceptions over the last two college football seasons.
Power: Malik Mustapha.
He may not be the fastest player or the most productive in this draft class, but make no mistake: Malik Mustapha knows how to send messages. Expected to be an exclusive box safety and a formidable special teams player, the Wake Forest defender has showcased his athletic profile and intensity to be feared within the ACC conference.
His combination of physicality and explosiveness allows him to penetrate the opposing pocket, with 13 tackles for loss and 4 sacks accumulated over the last two seasons.
Fluidity / Change of Direction: Calen Bullock.
The Californian is a highly polarizing prospect, and for good reason. While his shortcomings in run defense are still evident, Calen Bullock excels as a true controller in pass coverage. Beyond his effective quarterback reading, it’s his footwork and fluidity of movement that make him an immensely valuable player in today’s NFL.
Extremely fast and capable of sudden changes of direction, the Trojan can cover a large portion of the defensive backfield to provide support if needed to his cornerbacks. He has recorded 9 interceptions between 2022 and 2023.
Vision / Anticipation: Tyler Nubin.
He’s likely the brains of the group. In a Big Ten conference primarily known for its ground game, Tyler Nubin has shown that he’s just as comfortable in the air as he is in run stoppage. With excellent game reading, the Minnesota player also possesses solid instincts and anticipation, making him formidable when it comes to snagging balls.
The best interceptor on his team since 2021, he emerges as the most complete profile in this class and should, barring surprises, be the first safety called in the NFL Draft 2024 due to his intrinsic qualities.
Javon Bullard, a safety with the versatility of a Swiss army knife.
Sure hands: Kamren Kinchens.
Kamren Kinchens‘ journey has been more tumultuous, partly due to repeated injuries. While his pure speed raises questions, and his discipline in run defense is improvable, there’s not much to fault in his ability to make a difference.
Since 2022, the Floridian has collected 11 interceptions in 22 matches, relying on solid changes of direction and a constant knack for returning the ball to his team. Like Bullock, the team that selects him in the 2024 NFL Draft will know what to expect, with his undeniable qualities.
Run stop: Cole Bishop.
Some universities are renowned for their mastery of fundamentals, such as technique or tackling. So it’s no coincidence that Cole Bishop, a transfer from Utah, is familiar with this discipline. A jack-of-all-trades on the Utes’ last line of defense, he has rectified his initial shortcomings in run defense to harass the ball carrier in 2023.
Dynamic, instinctive, powerful in duels to carve out a path and reach his target, Bishop is also diligent until the whistle blows and knows how to finish plays. A true leader on the field who is reminiscent of another former Ute, Eric Weddle, in his prime.
Versatility: Javon Bullard.
If there were to be a “wildcard” in this position, it would likely be found at Georgia. Recruited as a safety at the Bulldogs, Javon Bullard has gradually become a chameleon in the defensive system of the double national champions in 2021 and 2022.
Physical, intelligent, reactive, and involved in run defense, number 22 has oscillated between the free safety position and slot cornerback, the latter being where he truly excelled. So much so that franchises are questioning his preferred position at the next level. They can, however, count on a locker room leader and a clutch player, as evidenced by his two interceptions in the 2022 college final.
