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Richie Grant seizing the top safety spot in 2021 NFL Draft?

By Sayre Bedinger

Jan 26, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; American defensive back Richie Grant of Central Florida (27) drills during National team practice during the 2021 Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; American defensive back Richie Grant of Central Florida (27) drills during National team practice during the 2021 Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are always certain positions in the NFL Draft that are more top-heavy and others that have better strength in their depth. The safety position for the 2021 NFL Draft has been hard to figure out, though there are a number of players like Central Florida’s Richie Grant who have plenty of production on tape for teams to consider.

Grant, who played the past four seasons at UCF and three as a full-time starter, has a proven track record of ball skills already, but his play at the week of Senior Bowl practices made him stand out in a crowd of talented playmakers.

There’s little question that between the two rosters at the entire event, Grant has stood out with consistent victories in one-on-one reps and a number of interceptions and pass breakups during team sessions.

He’s got some serious skills in man coverage.

It’s critical not to overreact to what we see from the Senior Bowl, but this is an event that undoubtedly should raise a player’s stock more than we should use the week of practices to lower anybody’s stock.

Grant had six interceptions in the 2018 season at UCF and finished his career there with 10 passes picked off, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 17 passes broken up. That is the kind of ball production you love to see from a safety, but combining that with Grant’s ability to play as a free safety, box safety, or even in the slot makes him all the more appealing.

How high could he end up going?

Right now, many draft boards have TCU’s Trevon Moehrig and Oregon’s Jevon Holland ahead of them. Those two guys certainly have a strong case to be the top safety off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft even if none of them appear to be locks for the first round.

It could come down to which guy has the most athleticism, but if Grant goes anywhere beyond the first round, he’s definitely going to be a player who provides an NFL team with great value.

His ability to move around the defensive formation and play with toughness and instincts will endear him to NFL defensive coaches, and I expect him to be one of the top three safeties off the board when all is said and done.

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