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NFL Draft 2016: Top 8 Safeties New York Giants Should Target

By Neal Lynch

Nov 8, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Vonn Bell (11) reacts to a play during the 2nd half of a game against Michigan State at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Vonn Bell (11) reacts to a play during the 2nd half of a game against Michigan State at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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William & Mary defensive back Deandre Houston-Carson. Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports
William & Mary defensive back Deandre Houston-Carson. Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports /

6. DeAndre Houston-Carson, Williams & Mary Tribe

Height: 6 feet | Weight: 197 pounds | Projected Round: 4-6

DeAndre ran the scouting combine’s fastest 40 yard dash at 4.54 seconds and earned the sixth highest grade among safeties with a 5.56.

Lance Zierlein compared Houston-Carson to Kansas City Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah who retired this past week. Abdullah played seven seasons in the league, four of which with the Minnesota Vikings, and bounced back and forth from to free to strong. Zierlein added:

"“Houston­-Carson exudes confidence and football intelligence on the field and plays with the swagger of a D­-1 safety. In coverage, he is instinctive and responsive and trusts his eyes. While he is a ready, aggressive tackler, he still needs more beef on his frame and has to fine tune his angles to the ball to eliminate some of the big plays he has had a hand in. His physical and mental tools are starter’s quality and his special teams talent should get him on the field right away.”"

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    • From WalterFootball, who ranked DeAndre 15th among available safeties:

    "“Houston-Carson had an impressive senior year with 109 tackles, three breakups and four interceptions. He also had quality seasons as a junior and sophomore. Houston-Carson had a mixed showing at the Senior Bowl, but he has some developmental potential for the next level. At the combine, Houston-Carson had a strong performance.”"

    Rob Rang of CBS Sports wrote the following about DeAndre:

    "“He possesses the length, fluidity and competitiveness to return to cornerback in the NFL. His range and vision are intriguing at safety but if he is to remain there, Houston-Carson must show more reliability as an open-field tackler.”"

    NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the 6th best free safety in the draft, projecting him to go in the 5th round.

    According to TribeAthletics.com, Houston-Carson became just the third player in the program’s 122-year history to earn consensus first-team All-America honors and was also a finalist for the STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Year award, the Colonial Athletic Association co-Defensive Player of the Year, one of three finalists for the Dudley Award (top Division I player in the state of Virginia), the VaSID State Defensive Player of the Year, First-team all-conference selection, and an Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Star.

    Next: NOT QUITE RUN OF THE MILLS

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