Jeremy Cash: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Getting to know Duke Blue Devils S Jeremy Cash and what his future might hold in the 2016 NFL Draft.

As the NFL twists and turns with trends that swap seemingly daily, the role of the traditional “in the box safety” has become outdated in many eyes. More teams have shifted to utilizing two rangy, athletic safeties rather than having one true “strong” and “free” defensive back.

As the tides change and running the ball appears to be back on the rise, the NFL’s supply of traditional strong safeties will look to be bolstered in the coming Draft classes.

Leading the way, Duke Blue Devils safety Jeremy Cash.

STRENGTHS

• Cash’s size (6’2″, 210) allows him to be a physical, NFL-style commodity in the back-end that next-level teams search for. He uses his frame to his advantage as a “thumper” in the middle.
• His flexibility to play all over the field is quite the advantage on film. Duke has no problems moving him around the defensive formation — as a redshirt senior, he has plenty of experience with moving around and leading the unit.
• Cash’s strongest traits show off when he’s playing the traditional strong safety role. He attacks the ball, plays a sturdy game and has a knack for finding the ballcarrier and making something happen near the line of scrimmage.
• As NFL teams look for identity, they’ll take a strong look at Cash to be a candidate for a long-term building block. He is a Duke team captain — known for intelligence and leadership. He graduated in May with a degree in psychology. \

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WEAKNESSES

• Cash will have to prove that he can be as versatile in a rangy role as he is when he’s lined up in the box. While he’s shown off impressive traits as a cover man on several occasions, it hasn’t popped up on film consistently enough. In a league where defending the pass is often the name of the game, NFL teams will want to work Cash’s versatility out in individual visits and at the Combine.
• While it’s a minor flaw that is seen with plenty of prospects, shedding blocks is something you’d like to see Cash do a bit better. He’ll get with high-level coaches in the league — still, something of note as it isn’t his strongest trait.

PROJECTION

For a player with the resume and reputation Cash owns, it’s hard to see him not be a candidate for a late first-round grade. At worst, he currently projects to be a second round prospect with a whole lot of upside once he develops into a system that can effectively groom defensive backs.