2011 NFL Draft: The Top 5 Strong Safeties in the NFL Draft

Unlike in years past, the safeties aren't tracking as high this year. Defensive tackles and hybrid defensive end/ outside linebackers seem to be all the rage this time. That doesn't mean that there aren't quality players out there that will help solidify secondaries for the foreseeable future. Game changers? Not as many, but there seems to be plenty of technically sound players who should contribute right away. 

While I thought about lumping both free safeties and strong safeties into one category, I realized that it wouldn't do many of the players justice.

Without further adieu, the top five strong safeties in the draft. 

1. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson 

Honored with a First-Team All-ACC selection, McDaniel had a team-high 73 tackles (5.5 tackles for a loss) to go along with another team leading four interceptions and six pass breakups. Lined up across from FS Marcus Gilchrist, Clemson's secondary formed a dynamic duo that really shut down opposing offenses. 

Strengths: 

With 14 career interceptions, McDaniel has the bawl hawking skills that differentiate decent safeties from starting safeties. Scouts credit his feel for the game and natural instincts which, are the hardest skills to teach. At 6 ft. 217 lbs, McDaniel has the build to be a feared safety and is not only capable of big hits but he is also able to reach in and disrupt long passes. 

Weaknesses:

McDaniel's Combine speed was on the slow side. He also tended to get caught out of position a fair amount. Without the speed to recover, positioning suddenly becomes more problematic. The biggest knock though on McDaniel is character issues, which are often a scarlet mark. In fairness, McDaniel had an apparent difficult childhood and has matured a great deal as a team leader. Still a 2008 arrest for assaulting his girlfriend could make teams think twice.

Combine Stats:

Mcdaniel isn't a standout player. He will be a good starting safety, but is no Bob Sanders. Expect Mcdaniel to likely go somewhere in the third round.

 Stats courtesy of nfldraftscout.com

2. Ahmad Black, Strong Safety Florida

Black's near free fall down draft boards is surprising and shows just how overvalued the Combine and workout stats are. Black finished his distinguished Florida career on a high note winning the Outback Bowl MVP (not an easy feat as a safety) as well as recording double digit tackles in four of his last seven games. On top of all that he was voted a consensus All-SEC pick by the SEC coaches. 

During his last season in Gainsville, Black finished tied for eighth in the nation with 102 tackles and tied for eighth in the SEC with 3 interceptions. He finished with 13 for his career. 

So the question is, how exactly is he no longer a projected top 64 pick?

Strengths: 

Like McDaniel, and maybe even more so, Black has all the traits you can't teach and the skills, which separate the best from the rest in their craft. Scouts rave about his natural instincts and his ability to change the game with one well-timed big play. 

He is also technically sound and makes up for his slight stature by wrapping up well. Not really related to being a safety, Black was also a excellent punt and kickoff returner which makes him a more complete pick and a stronger candidate for a team like the Colts. 

Weaknesses:

Black is small. Worse, at 5'10, 184 lbs. he is slight, and while he loves to hit, players like Black are injury prone (Colts fans let out a collective sigh). The other big knock on Black was his terrible 4.70 Combine time and his pro-day time of 4.74 which was somehow slower and that much more shocking. Being small and slow gets you blacklisted almost as much as a character concern.

Combine Stats:

At one point Black was a borderline first round pick. After his Combine performance and pro-day, he will be lucky to go in the third round. Whoever drafts him though will be even more fortunate in the long run as they will get a sure starting safety. 

Stats courtesy of Nfldraftscout.com

3. Tyler Sash, Strong Safety Iowa 

Sash certainly comes highly touted. In 2010 he was voted to the First Team All-Big team by league coaches and the media and was one of 10 semifinalists for the 2010 Jim Thorpe Award for the best college defensive back in the country. After starting all 13 games at safety he was also honored with a place on the National Champs.net First Team All-America team and was voted to the second team All-America by Sporting News.  

People certainly recognize his talents to say the least but then how many college players start in their first 37 straight games and don't get noticed?

Strengths:

Having started and played in every game in his college career, it is clear that unlike his Iowa predecessor Bob Sanders, Sash is durable. Like Black he is also a ball hawk recording the same number of interceptions (13) during his three years in Des Moines as the Florida standout. 

What scouts seem to like most about Sash is that he saves his best games for the biggest stages as evidence by his 2009 Outback Bowl performance against South Carolina during which he recorded 2 picks, one which he returned 48 yards. Another plus is his size and strength (6'0, 210 lbs), but most impressive about Sash my be his NFL readiness and his leadership skills. Having played in a two-deep zone, Sash was forced to read and react quickly and served as a coach on the field as the eyes of the defense. 

Weakness: 

At times Sash is a little careless and over pursues. Part of that is because he was forced to react so often that it is engrained in him to go full speed and he can jump the gun. While Sash would be perfect in a Colts' cover 2 shell, he has little experience in man coverage and has trouble shedding blocks closer to the line of scrimmage. In many ways, he reminds people of a more durable but less explosive Bob Sanders. 

Combine Stats:

While he might not be as highly rated as the other two safeties, Sash could actually end up going higher as he is a niche type fit and player. In a zone defense he has a chance to be great. 

Iowa Pro day: DB Tyler Sash (6-0, 210) ran 4.61 and 4.66 40s, had a 33-inch vertical and 9-4 broad jump, and 14

bench presses. He didn’t do the shuttles. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com (via nfldraftscout.com)