Take Your Pick: Best Safety Prospects

This is a multiple-part series that encourages readers to participate in the draft discussion. Don’t agree with my top prospects at a respective position? Tell me who should be or shouldn’t be included and why, I want to hear your opinions!

When looking at every prospect heading into the 2011 NFL Draft, there might not be a more wide-open position going into the event than at the safety position in my opinion. While positions such as quarterback boast  a few prospects that are at the top of everyone’s board including Auburn’s Cam Newton, Washington’s Jake Locker, and Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert, the safety position does not offer such a clear image at the top of the list. I would like to discuss three of the safeties that I feel are the best at the position. Note that there are many other prospects that could easily be in the argument for the top prospects and if you want to tell me who they are and why, fire away.

1. Rahim Moore, UCLA

The third-team AP All-American selection was a playmaker for the Bruins over his career, putting up 14 interceptions  in his 3 years at UCLA (tied for 4^th all-time in school history. During the 2009 season, he led the nation with 10 interceptions on his way to being named first-team all-Pac 10 by the conference’s coaches. He started all 12 games for the Bruins in 2010 as a team captain while being named as a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award (top defensive back in the nation). He finished third on the team in tackles with 77.

Moore is a ball-hawking safety that has the speed and quickness to cover the deep middle of the field. He is a big (6’0”, 202 lbs.), strong defensive back that can make receivers pay the price for coming over the middle of the field. He is one who will throw his body into the middle of the actions to help in run support. Some of his weaknesses include not being able to get off blocks and biting on play action fakes.

2. Quinton Carter, Oklahoma

Another Thorpe Award candidate in 2010 for the best defensive back in the nation, Carter picked off 4 passes and recording a total of 96 tackles. He was named a first team All-American and first team all-Big 12 for the 2010 season. Much is talked about of his involvement in the community; he started his own non-profit organization called SOUL that helps provide physicals, mammograms and other medical services to low-income citizens in Las Vegas.

Carter has good size (6’1”, 208 lbs.) and is a great athlete that can play man coverage if assigned.  He also is great in zone schemes, showing great instincts and awareness in his respective zone. Carter is a tremendous tackler and has a knack for finding the ball in run support.  He tends to struggle when defending deeper routes down the field, often mistiming his jumps. He also could improve on shredding blocks and tackling the ball carrier lower.

3. Deunta Williams, North Carolina

The 2010 preseason all-ACC pick was suspended the first four games of his senior season for receiving extra benefits as a collegiate player. Over his career, he has recorded 12 interceptions, which ranks third all-time in North Carolina history. He has 188 tackles over his 4-year career as a Tar Heel, with 50 of them coming in 2010. He was a candidate for the Thorpe Award as well as the Lott Award, which is given to the defensive IMPACT player of the year, following his senior season.

Williams does not lack in size (6’2”, 205 lbs.) or quickness in space. He has the ability to bait quarterbacks and jump routes to make the big play.  He also has some of the best hands compared to other safety prospects in the draft. Williams looks like a better tackler in run support than Moore or Carter. Like Carter, he has trouble when defending the deep ball, often getting beat in one on one matchups with bigger receivers.

As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I welcome any readers to give me your opinion on which safety prospects are the best overall in this year’s draft. While I find these three will be the best at the pro-level, I am sure some of you think otherwise. I want you to tell me why. Take your pick and let your thoughts be heard.