2014 NFL Draft: Top Safety Deone Bucannon on Display in Gildan New Mexico Bowl

Nov 16, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20) walks on the field in between plays during the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. The Cougars beat the Wildcats 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

This year’s draft isn’t a banner year for the safety position by any means, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some good NFL prospects at the position coming out this offseason.

Arguably the top strong safety available this year is Washington State’s Deone Bucannon, who was just recently named a First Team All-American after his stellar senior season.

Bucannon is a 6’1″ 217 pound veteran at the safety position who had started 30 games coming into this year, and who has established himself as one of the most consistent players at his position in the country. As a freshman in 2010, he had 83 tackles and has continued to rise ever since. In his college career, he’s picked off 14 passes and counting heading into his last game, and has led his team in tackles three of the last four years.

He’s a great open field tackler with instincts in coverage and ball skills to make the play. He has great size for the position and if he runs well at the Combine or his pro day, there’s a chance he could sneak into the bottom half of the first round, but certainly won’t last any longer than the second or third round.

A team leader and a guy who has consistently progressed like that is sure to get NFL scouts excited, and he’s a reason to watch the first college bowl game of the season on Saturday afternoon.