2023 NFL Draft: S Rankings
1
Brian Branch
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 190 lbs
Strengths:
Branch has lined up all over the defence for Alabama. He can play out of the slot, at both safety positions, or even on the boundary in a pinch. I think he projects best as a SS where he can see a good amount of snaps down low. He is very good against the run, and I like him as a blitzer, as well. Branch is very good in zone coverage. He looks fluid when flipping his hips, and has enough burst to make a play on the ball. His great instincts also help him get there in time. Branch can hold his own against TE’s in man coverage, and has enough talent to have success in man out of the slot..
Weaknesses:
Athleticism doesn’t match his instincts , and he can have some rough moments in man coverage. While he did have his share of good moments from this alignment, the more talented players, particularly ones with an abundance of quickness and athleticism, can give him trouble. There have been instances of too much separation being left. His combine testing wasn’t good, but his athleticism actually looks better on tape.
Summary:
Branch is a piece that defenses will be able to move around. I like him best at SS, and down low in the box. Branch is a good tackler and his instincts to sniff out running plays make him a nice asset to have down there. Coaches will appreciate his ability to play in the slot and even on the boundary. He does well in zone coverage, but man coverage out of the slot can cause a few problems. But he does have enough tools to improve. Overall, Branch should be a plug and play starter as a SS, and as he grows into the defence, moving him around more is definitely something that we are likely to see in the future.
| Grade: 83.9 | Round Grade: 2nd |
2
Jordan Battle
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 209 lbs
Strengths:
Battle is a big, dense safety with the ability to carry out multiple tasks in the secondary. He is a versatile player, having lined up at FS, SS, and in the slot. He looks like a pretty smooth player when he is roaming the field up high. Battle generally reads the play well, and minimizes the amount of processing time he needs before heading over to lend a hand over the top. His frame is well built for the down low battles that take place on a play to play basis. When moving towards the line of scrimmage, he isn’t reckless in his pursuit. He calculates his path to limit time lost. Battle is comfortable playing in the box, and can deliver a big hit when defending the run. He won’t be overpowered by big backs. From time to time, he also plays in the slot. While it is not his strong suit, he is smooth enough to hold his own on shorter routes.
Weaknesses:
While Battle is a smooth player, his speed is average at best. It seems as though he takes an extra tick to cross the field when lending some help. As well, his upside in man coverage is limited because of his speed. He can certainly hold his own in certain situations, but if matched up against speedier and more athletic players, he can become a bit more of a liability.
Summary:
Battle is a high floor, low-ish ceiling prospect. He lacks top end speed to really patrol the top at an elite level. That said, he is fluid enough to match quicker players, and has a big frame and lays down some hard hits, helping out the team down low. Battle does have a few kinks he can iron out, with more consistent tackling being one example. But overall, he should be able to step in right away at SS and play at a solid, reliable level.
| Grade: 79.9 | Round Grade: 3rd |
3
Antonio Johnson
School: Texas A&M
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 198 lbs
Strengths:
Johnson is a big safety who noticeably likes to play a downhill game. He’s got good burst to end up back down closer to the line of scrimmage when there is a play to be made. But he doesn’t just rely on natural ability. He also sees the game very well. Johnson can anticipate, and he puts himself in good positions to make plays. Even when in single high, I love how he is able to contribute to the team’s run defence. When it comes time to make the tackle, Johnson gets some power into it. With the ball in the air, he is very strong at the catch point, contesting catches when he can or at least, delivering a punishing hit when he can’t attack the ball in the air. His tall frame and long wingspan allow him to reach up a bit higher to break up, or at least contest catches. His burst makes him a great fit to play zone, as he can keep things in front of him, and then come back towards the play. As well, he is better able to scan the field. That said, with his size and aggressiveness, he is capable in man coverage against TE’s.
Weaknesses:
Johnson is an okay athlete for his size, but does have some limitations. He can look a bit stiff at times, especially when he is in his backpedal or moving laterally. As a result, even when he anticipates things nicely, he can be a touch late arriving on some plays. Expanding on this, his stiffness presents some challenges in man coverage when up against savvier opponents. His ball skills have been very inconsistent up to this point, despite having a few nice flashes.
Summary:
Johnson is at his best playing a downhill game, where he can use his burst and anticipation to get ahead of things and keep offensive gains to a minimum. He has ability in coverage, but inconsistencies due to stiff lateral movements and average ball skills show up. But even with the inconsistencies, he is able to do a number of things at a decent enough level, and if he can iron out some of the kinks, he can become a well rounded player.
| Grade: 79.7 | Round Grade: 3rd |
4
JL Skinner
School: Boise State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 209 lbs
Strengths:
Skinner has a big frame – maybe slightly on the lean side, but I think that’s nitpicking. He is strong, and plays a physically imposing game. Smaller slot receivers crossing the shallow middle while Skinner is in zone will often take some contact. His length is visible in both phases. He wraps up nicely as a tackler, and in coverage, his length serves as a great tool for breakup up passes. It especially helps when he is a little bit out of position. His length helps him recover.
Weaknesses:
With his long, lean frame, twitchiness isn’t there to match some of the shiftier opponents he’ll go up against on the other side of the ball. If played too often in man to man coverage, teams will start to use this against him more and more. He moves well relative to his size, but definitely is somewhat limited, and you usually see with bigger guys.
Summary:
Skinner has size and athleticism that can be highly impactful, if used the right way. I like him in zone coverage, where his long reach and more linear athleticism plays more of a factor when he gets to run downhill. As well, his big frame will make him an asset downlow, where he can patrol things in shallow zone, or help out against the run. His biggest limitations come from stiffness that results from his tall, lean frame. I’d generally keep him out of man coverage as much as possible. But he can be a useful player if played to his strengths.
| Grade: 74.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
5
Ji’Ayir Brown
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 203 lbs
Strengths:
Brown plays with a consistently high motor, and is always looking to make a play. He can come downhill and deliver a jarring hit. Brown definitely is able to contribute against the run. That said, his production in coverage is also impressive. He has been able to put himself in position to collect interception after interception. When the movements are within his athletic boundary, his football IQ and high level of anticipation is evident. Brown has good ball skills, showing the ability to break up passes and create turnovers.
Weaknesses:
Brown doesn’t have the athleticism to match his play style all of the time. He has a brain that is built for roaming the field, but he is a clunky mover that, ideally, would not see as many snaps where he has to travel a decent bit. Against the run, he can over shoot his tackles, and he doesn’t have the agility to consistently recover. In coverage, he can be slow moving to the ball as a single high safety, and in the slot, a quicker receiver can torch him when in man coverage.
Summary:
Brown projects as a 3rd safety in a tandem, or a backup that can give you some solid snaps. His flashes are just great, but he is lacking the traits to reproduce his college production in the NFL. Brown is lacking the quickness to consistently handle more difficult coverage duties, and can be a liability when given too much on his plate. Despite the concerns, Brown’s tough style and eagerness to contribute will help him on special teams, and perhaps one day earn a regular spot on a team’s defence.
| Grade: 72.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
6
Sydney Brown
School: Illinois
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 211 lbs
Strengths:
Brown is a high effort player. On tape, he looks relentless in pursuit of the ball carrier, and he will travel quite the distance to get there. His frame is built pretty solid, and he can handle the contact that comes with playing down low. Straight line speed is solid, and he is able to get across the field in time to make a play. In coverage, I don’t mind him sitting in zone. Brown is a smart player, with the ability to recognize what is happening, and get there in time to at least break up the pass.
Weaknesses:
Judging his athletic profile as a whole, it is pretty solid. But looking more closely, his agility and lateral movement skills might not be all that great. It is probably sufficient enough to get by. But if we’re thinking about more complicated assignments, then there might need to be some second guessing. I don’t know if Brown will be able to match up consistently in man coverage at the next level. Not only do many TE’s pose as a size mismatch, but bigger TE’s are likely going to be able to beat him over the rim.
Summary:
Brown has good straight line speed, but might lack the size and agility to have a ton of success at the NFL level. His speed and aggressive pursuit of the ball, along with his success in zone, should mean that his best chance is at SS. But still, his versatility will appeal to coaches, as these days, backups are needed to be versatile.
| Grade: 68.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
7
Brandon Hill
School: Pitt
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 193 lbs
Strengths:
Hill is a fluid, athletic safety who possesses the ability to have success in coverage and downhill. I like his range, and he has shown that he can fly across the field to make a play. He has the tools necessary to have success in both man and zone coverage, and the toughness to play the run. With more refinement, he can be a really good player.
Weaknesses:
The mental side of his game needs improvement. Play recognition and awareness can be off at times, and it will have him out of position at times. For a guy with his athletic traits, I wish he had a little more ball production. Hill’s style as a tackler is awful. He relies on throwing a big hit, but in the NFL, this increases the risk of fumbling, and also injury. Hill will need to wrap up ball carriers, rather than just launching himself.
Summary:
Hill has flashes of great play, and with his athleticism, it is not crazy to think he could become a starter in due time. However, he is a ways away from that. His mental game will need a decent amount of refinement. As well, I’d like to see him change his tackling style. While many people
| Grade: 67.7 | Round Grade: 5th |
8
Anthony Johnson
School: Iowa State
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 205 lbs
Strengths:
Johnson, as a converted CB, is a smooth player. From watching him, I actually think he would make a good fit as a more regular fixture in the slot. But even at safety, he moves smoothly and can eliminate separation at the top of routes. Johnson has good burst and will come back down towards the line in order to make a play against the run or limit yards after the catch on a short route. Johnson is not afraid to deliver a big hit when the situation arises. He hits shoulder to shoulder, and makes sure, as a smaller guy, to brace for contact, while still getting plenty of power into the hit.
Weaknesses:
As a converted CB, he is still learning the mental part of playing S. At this time, he doesn’t always take efficient angles, whether in coverage or playing the run. As well, his route recognition can be spotty at times, and sometimes he ends up out of position. Johnson has a leaner frame and can have trouble tackling and stopping the run. Receivers, after the catch, can sometimes drag him with them, or effectively use a stiff arm. Due to his size, he tries to hit more than he wraps up, which leads to some missed tackles.
Summary:
I like Johnson’s fluidity and ability to have success in coverage. His range is useful when defending deep balls over the top, and he can also play in the slot. That said, he looks undersized on tape, and can get pushed around sometimes. Additionally, the mental adjustments associated with the switch to safety haven’t seem to have been completed yet. Johnson has some upside, but may end up being a versatile backup.
| Grade: 65.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
9
Jamie Robinson
School: Florida State
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 171 lbs
Strengths:
Robinson has a high running motor and frequently climbs down from his safety position to make tackles. He was placed up high a lot, but seems to prefer more of a role in the box. Robinson has the short area quickness to do well in this role, and his technique as a tackler is usually good. Even in coverage, he does well in these shorter areas. He has the burst to quickly close down any gap of separation that the receiver was able to create on a short route.
Weaknesses:
Poor angles litter his tape, and in these instances, negate the advantage that he has because of his burst. Played a lot of FS, but I’m not sure I like him in coverage deeper down the field, especially when he is much more effective lower down, and his ball skills aren’t great. Robinson also isn’t at his highest and best use when in man coverage, and slicker receivers/TE’s/RB’s can create separation. His combine testing was very underwhelming, but may show underlying issues that show up when you analyze his game beyond the stuff he does in the box.
Summary:
Robinson was used all over, but is at his best in the box, where his burst and short area quickness are allowed to shine. His athleticism diminishes a little as you get deeper down the field, and you see some issues in coverage. As he transitions to the next level, I would like to see his angles as a run defender improve. This will especially be necessary if he spends more time down low. Overall, he projects as a situational/rotational piece on defence, that can line up in other places in a pinch.
| Grade: 64.7 | Round Grade: 6th |
10
Quindell Johnson
School: Memphis
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
Johnson seems to have a decent blend of athleticism, strength, and toughness. His downhill burst is noticeable on tape when he flies down from a single high ot two high position. As a tackler, he can deliver a blow that is pretty phishing, especially when he has built up momentum over the long distance traveled to make a play. He’s got good length, and has shown that he can reach into breakup passes, even when the initial outlook wasn’t good.
Weaknesses:
Overall instincts are still developing. In my exposures, there were a lot of hesitations and second guessing. This in addition to some less than optimal angles taken when pursuing the ball carrier. His awareness in coverage is also a work in progress. More consistency and less busts will be needed in order to work his way up into a starting position.
Summary:
Johnson has a solid blend of traits, including athleticism and toughness. He shows flashes in coverage, both in terms of his ability to cover his man, and also a recovery ability, where his long arms help him break up passes. Johnson will need to refine the mental part of his game, and make less mistakes in order to take another step forward.
| Grade: 64.4 | Round Grade: 6th |
11
Daniel Scott
School: Cal
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 208 lbs
Strengths:
Scott is a high end athlete for the safety position, and can fly over to give help over the top. He comes with good ball skills, and can time things up nicely to break up a pass. In run support, there are also times where he flies down from up top. Scott is someone who can do a number of things, which is good for a late round guy. His ability on special teams is especially
Weaknesses:
Missed tackles litter his tape. The effort coming downhill isn’t always great, and there have been better block sheds than I have seen this year. He needs to play more of a well rounded game. Scott will be an overaged prospect,meaning his upside at the NFL level will likely be limited, since most development occurs early in the 20’s.
Summary:
His limitations as a run defender will likely limit him to a depth role in the NFL. That said, Scott has good athleticism and has shown to be capable of making plays in coverage. At the next level, Scott projects as a depth FS and quality special teamer.
| Grade: 59.7 | Round Grade: 7th |
Full Rankings:
- Brian Branch (83.9, Rd 2)
- Jordan Battle (79.9, Rd 3)
- Antonio Johnson (79.7, Rd 3)
- JL Skinner (74.4, Rd 4)
- Ji’Ayir Brown (72.0, Rd 4)
- Sydney Brown (68.8, Rd 5)
- Brandon Hill (67.7, Rd 6)
- Anthony Johnson (65.0, Rd 5)
- Jamie Robinson (64.7, Rd 6)
- Quindell Johnson (64.4, Rd 6)
- Daniel Scott (59.7, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
- Gervarrius Owens
- Christopher Smith
- Jason Taylor
- Kaevon Merriweather
- Ronnie Hickman
- Brandon Joseph
RELATED: 2023 NFL Draft: CB Rankings & Scouting Reports
Modified Homescreen Image Via: The University of Alabama (CC)