Mike's Second Take on the S position ...
Who's stock has risen and why?
Richard LeCounte, Georgia (5-10, 196 lbs.) - LeCounte didn't necessarily see his stock rise, but it might not have fallen, either, despite a 4.83 40 at the Bulldogs' Pro Day.
Jeremiah called LeCounte's 40 time "unfortunate," but wouldn't go as far as to classify it as a deal-breaker. "Not the time that he would like," Jeremiah continued. "But to me this is still a really good football player who I think plays much faster. He is somebody that relies on his eyes and his instincts to play faster."
LeCounte was a First-Team All-SEC selection in 2020. He's been seen on tape coming up to tackle Alabama running back Najee Harris, among others, and has demonstrated ball skills while manning the deep middle (LeCounte had a combined seven interceptions over the last two seasons).
NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks said pro day workouts are for "pole positioning" heading into a draft and that it's whether or not a prospect can actually play that will determine whether he can make the most of whatever opportunity he gets.
Brooks characterized LeCounte as "a talented player that can absolutely get it done on the field."
Other Notes: USC's Talanoa Hufanaga (6-0, 199 lbs.) is as well-decorated and as well-schooled a safety as any. He was a 2020 First-team AP All-American and the Pac-12 Defensive Back of the Year and according to Jeremiah he's demonstrated great timing as a blitzer and has been working out in preparation for the draft with Troy Polamalu … Indiana's Jamar Johnson (6-2, 205 lbs.) emerged as Brooks' No. 3 safety after posting a 4.58 40 and a 35" vertical at the Hoosiers' Pro Day … Pitt's Paris Ford (6-0, 197) ran a 4.90 40 at the Panthers' Pro Day that might limit his opportunities initially. In Brooks' estimation Ford will have to prove himself on special teams to make a team … Texas' Caden Sterns (6-1, 207 lbs.) reeled off a 4.40 40 and a 42" vertical at the Longhorns Pro Day, demonstrating the athleticism that's helped establish him as a free safety capable of handling a centerfielder role.
Mike's First Take on the S position ...
#5 - Damar Hamlin, Pitt (6-0, 196 lbs.) - ESPN analyst Todd McShay envisions Hamlin as a third- or fourth-round pick who will achieve longevity in the NFL because of his smarts, instincts and football intelligence, and because he can cover, play the run and even come off the edge. "I absolutely love him," McShay gushed during Senior Bowl week. "All season long they relied on him to be the guy." Dolphins head coach Brian Flores had this to say about Hamlin at the Senior Bowl: "He's smart, he's tough. The safety position, it's about communication, you're really the quarterback of the defense. He showed a lot of that. He can take in a lot of information and take it from the board to the field. We're impressed with him." Hamlin had a tip-pick in the Senior Bowl after collecting six INTs at Pitt (two in 10 games in 2020).
#4 - Andre Cisco, Syracuse (6-0, 209 lbs.) - In the interest of transparency, Cisco kid was a friend of mine. But in the event you don't know much about him, know this: He had two forced fumbles, 13 interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 24 career games for the Orange. Cisco reportedly suffered an ACL injury in a collision with a teammate during pregame warmups before Syracuse played Georgia Tech and was lost for the 2020 season after just two games, so the medical questions will have to be resolved. Questions about Cisco's ball skills have already been answered.
#3 - Richie Grant, Central Florida (5-11 1/2, 199 lbs.) - NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah offered up a glowing review during Senior Bowl week: "You see him play as the free safety, he can drop down in the nickel, he did a great job in those roles and also split outside to corner and held up well. Got his hands on a lot of footballs and I think very much in the conversation to be a Top-50 pick." Grant had six interceptions in 2018 and 10 in his career at UCF, and two more in one practice at the Senior Bowl, where he also worked some at cornerback.
#2 - Jevon Holland, Oregon (6-1, 208 lbs.) - His opt-out in 2020 prevented scouts from seeing if Holland could build on the success he had in his first two seasons at Oregon. Still, there was plenty on display in 2018 and 2019. Holland intercepted five passes in 2018 even tough he only started two games. And in 2019 he made splash plays on both sides of the line of scrimmage (four more interceptions and four-and-a-half tackles for loss), and on special teams (a 15.3-yard average on 16 punt returns). Holland can play safety or slot cornerback, so he possesses the desired versatility as well as the required play-making ability.
#1 - Trevon Moehrig, TCU (6-2, 208 lbs.) - Moehrig's seven interceptions in three seasons attest to his ball skills well enough, but they're not nearly as impressive as his ability to track the ball and position himself down the field in coverage. He can also be aggressive with receivers in one-on-one coverage without drawing flags, and he's a sure and physical tackler. Whether breaking on the ball in coverage or coming up to attack a sweep or a play in the flat, Moehrig hits the gas and gets there in a hurry. And he does it all seemingly with ease, with an athleticism that suggests he's not even breaking a sweat. And that he knew how the play was going to end all along.
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