NFL Draft Day 2: The 21 Best Remaining Prospects For The New York Giants
By Neal Lynch
SAFETIES
9. Vonn Bell – S, Ohio State Buckeyes
Height: 5 feet 11 inches Weight: 205 pounds
Bell scored a draft grade of 5.68, which means, “Backup or eventual starter”. Analyst Lance Zierlein compared Bell to Carolina Panthers safety Kurt Coleman, adding:
"“Though lacking in desired size and physicality, Bell has the ability to match up in space and is at his best when keeping the action in front of him where he combines his vision, reactive quickness and ball skills to go make plays on the ball. Bell lacks size and isn’t an aggressive tackler so he needs to prove he can run so that he locks in his draft positioning as one of the top free safeties in this draft.”"
Senior analyst Gil Brandt’s Pro Day notes on Bell are below:
"“Bell has really good coverage skills, especially in man-to-man situations. This is a player who can be a very good safety in the NFL.”"
WalterFootball ranked Bell as the third best safety in the draft, adding:
"“Bell is a quality run defender who has some versatility in pass coverage. He can play some free safety and nickel cornerback.”"
Eric Robinson had this to say in his NFLMocks scouting report:
"“Bell is one of the better safeties in the entire draft. His instincts are rare for strong safeties as is the ball skills and the efficiency in pass coverage. His football IQ is not too shabby as well. “"
10. T.J. Green – S, Clemson Tigers
Height: 6 feet 2 inches Weight: 205 pounds
Green earned a grade of 5.64, which means “Backup or eventual starter”. T.J. was the top performer in the 40 yard dash and broad jump at the scouting combine.
Lance Zierlein compared Green to Miami Dolphins 5th rounder Cedric Thompson, adding:
"“Green’s coverage potential is evident, but he might need time on the bench to watch and learn early on.”"
Zierlein also called Green one of the biggest boom-or-busts prospects.
WalterFootball ranked Green as the 6th best safety in the draft, adding:
"“flashed some impressive play but also some busts. Green should have returned to the Tigers after starting for only one season, but he entered the 2016 NFL Draft. Sources at some teams like Green and are giving him consideration as a second- or third-rounder. Teams like his skill set and ability to be a deep center fielder and coverage safety.”"
Ross Woomer of NFLMocks wrote the following about Green in his scouting report:
"“He plays with energy but makes the occasional bone-headed mistake. Being part of a second-team defense with the special teams play he succeed in at Clemson may be the reality of Green’s first couple years in the league.”"
11. Darian Thompson – S, Boise State Broncos
Height: 6 feet 1 inch | Weight: 217 pounds
Darian scored a draft grade of 5.52, which means “Backup or eventual starter”. Analyst Lance Zierlein compared Thompson to Green Bay Packers third rounder Morgan Burnett, adding:
"“Looks the part and has enough production to warrant a close look, but that close look shows a player with below average man cover skills and a lack of awareness in zone coverage. An even greater concern is that too many big plays were allowed because he busted coverage or failed or to execute. Thompson does his best work near the line of scrimmage and has the frame and demeanor to become a box safety in the league, but it might take time.”"
WalterFootball ranked Thompson as the 7th best safety in the draft, adding:
"“The senior has an impressive combination of size, tackling ability, instincts and ball skills.”"
Eric Robinson of NFLMocks wrote this about Thompson in his scouting report:
"“He is underrated. What Thompson brings is versatility as well as a knack for a big play per game. Viewing his tape, he has shown qualities of a free safety (range, ball skills, good instincts) as well as strong safety (Aggressive, solid run support, size).”"
Thompson was considered one of the combine’s biggest losers and he was too ill to perform at the Boise State Pro Day.
12. Su’a Cravens – OLB/S, USC Trojans
Height: 6 feet 1 inches | Weight: 226 pounds
Cravens scored a draft grade of 5.89, which means “Could become early NFL starter”. Lance Zierlein compared Su’a to Lavonte David, adding:
"“Plays with a unique lens that includes his time at the safety position as a freshman. Teams focusing on putting a “tweener” label on him could be making a huge mistake considering his competitive nature and toughness. Cravens was highly disruptive and productive in each of his three seasons as a starter thanks to his tools/traits to act on his instincts. Cravens will help on special teams immediately and could become an early starter for a 4-3 defense looking for a playmaking weak-side linebacker.”"
ProFootballFocus ranked Cravens as the 26th best overall prospect available on Day 2.
WalterFootball ranked Cravens as the fourth best outside linebacker in the draft, noting:
"“…his best role in the NFL could come as a safety on run downs and a linebacker in passing situations. A good defensive coordinator could get a lot of out of Cravens by moving him around and using him in a variety of ways…is physical, strong and quick.”"
Next: LINEBACKERS