2024 NFL Draft: S Rankings
1
S, Tyler Nubin
School: Minnesota
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 199 lbs
Strengths:
- Instinctive, ball hawking S.
- Nubin is able to react in time to take advantage of turnover opportunities.
- Good in the single high formation.
- Has quick enough feet to handle playing single high.
- Can read the QB’s eyes and act accordingly.
Weaknesses:
- Nubin is quicker than he is fast.
- Tackling is okay, but nothing special.
- Decent enough traits to play in man coverage, but certain matchups might be tough.
- Doesn’t always look super willing to help in run support. More so does it out of necessity.
Summary:
Nubin is a good all around FS prospect. Has the instincts to act as a ball hawk and seize turnover opportunities. He doesn’t have the greatest speed, but his feet are quick enough to still make him good in coverage. Tackling could improve, but I wouldn’t say he’s bad. Overall, Nubin projects as a starting FS, and should find that role sometime early in his career. Isn’t elite in every area, but he does enough things well.
| Grade: 81.4 | Round Grade: 2nd |
2
S, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
School: Texas Tech
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 197 lbs
Strengths:
- Taylor-Demerson has good instincts for when opportunities open up to make a play on the ball.
- Good ball skills.
- Shows good downhill burst when the ball is thrown in front of him.
- Can play single high thanks to his instincts.
- Also has quick enough feet to effectively redirect when he has to.
- Capable of playing in the slot.
Weaknesses:
- Maybe a tad lean for the position.
- Can be hit or miss as a tackler.
- Overall good instincts, but not immune to biting on play action or end arounds/jet sweeps.
- Can overrun the ball carrier at times when looking to come down to make a play.
Summary
Taylor-Demerson is a solid all around S. Won’t blow you away with traits, but I wouldn’t say he is lacking. He can get to where he needs to go. His instincts can be great in the passing game, but there are frustrating moments where he’ll bite on a play action or something of the like. Don’t look like a superstar or anything, but Taylor-Demerson should be a starter at the next level.
| Grade: 78.9 | Round Grade: 3rd |
3
S, Javon Bullard
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 198 lbs
Strengths:
- Bullard is a smart player.
- Can read the play, the eyes of the QB, routes of the WR etc.
- Takes good angles as a tackler.
- Capable of playing in off man coverage.
- Good fluid movements in coverage.
- Is a strong tackler. Uses good technique and wraps up nicely.
Weaknesses:
- Good play speed, but not great.
- Can be a bit late at times to get to where he is going.
- Recovery speed is not great.
- Can sometimes allow a dement amount of separation when in coverage.
Summary:
Bullard is a solid all around safety prospect. Speed is good, but not elite. However, his movement skills surpass his speed, which still allows him to make plays in coverage. His good instincts also help, and have led to some ball hawking moments. Bullard can line up in various places, including single high, split, or in the slot. I wouldn’t say he has the most upside, but Bullard should be a solid player at the next level.
| Grade: 77.7 | Round Grade: 3rd |
4
S, Jaden Hicks
School: Washington State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 211 lbs
Strengths:
- Good ball skills.
- Hicks can matchup against TE’s in coverage. He certainly has the size for it.
- Downhill burst is solid.
- Has a dense frame and can lower the shoulder.
- Pretty solid as a tackler.
Weaknesses:
- Speed is okay, but nothing special.
- A bit lacking when it comes to lateral agility.
- His pad level is always high when he is running. This further takes away from his agility.
- Lacks the short area quickness to sometimes react to runners who changing directions
Summary:
Hicks has the size to be a useful member of the defence. He is athletic enough to play in coverage against TE’s, and can periodically handle single high. But he isn’t the quickest guy. I think he would be at his best in split looks if we’re talking about coverage, where athleticism is a little less important. But overall, his highest and best use might be in the box.
| Grade: 73.7 | Round Grade: 4th |
5
S, Cole Bishop
School: Utah
Ht/Wt:6’2”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
- Bishop has lined up all over the formation, including in the box, the slot, as a single high, and in split.
- Versatility to be an asset on defence.
- Very strong tackler, using good technique.
- Is an asset in the box, as he can make plays against the inside run.
- Shallow zone would work for him, where he can use his quick feet and good awareness.
Weaknesses:
- Bishop is quicker than fast.
- I don’t see the speed for him to be a true FS.
- Bishop shows some stiffness in the hips when moving laterally. This can impact his ability in coverage.
- Wouldn’t say he’s a man coverage guy, other than certain matchups against TE’s.
Summary:
Bishop moved all around the defence at Utah. While the versatility and experience is valuable, I don’t know if he has the range to play single high very often in the NFL. He should end up as a starter or a rotational S3, but he might be at his best closer to the line of scrimmage, with coverage being determined based on the matchup.
| Grade: 73.6 | Round Grade: 4th |
6
S, Calen Bullock
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 188 lbs
Strengths:
- Bullock has great length for the position.
- Can contest passes.
- Plays a physical game and is generally a reliable tackler.
- Has flashy moments against the run.
- Shows some ball hawking tendencies.
Weaknesses:
- Strength isn’t great, despite physical style.
- Highly inconsistent against the run.
- Has some good plays against the run, but also some awful ones.
- Will have some mental lapses in coverage every once in a while.
Summary:
Bullock was an interesting evaluation because the highs and lows were so volatile. On one hand, he has made some great plays, both in coverage and against the run, and with toughness. But at other times, his toughness doesn’t show through, as he lacks the size to deal with bigger players. He is a pretty solid athlete with flashes on tape. Not a finished product yet, but there is a little potential there that catches the eye.
| Grade: 70.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
7
S, Tykee Smith
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 202 lbs
Strengths:
- Smith is a versatile player.
- Can play S, slot CB, or on the outside.
- Has quick enough feet to have some success playing in man coverage.
- Doesn’t mind playing down low, and will put effort into delivering a hard hit.
- Physical tackler.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of length hurts tackle radius.
- Speed is okay, but does not look dynamic in space. If he is in man coverage, speedy receivers can best him.
- Wouldn’t say he’d be a great fit in the single high position.
- Probably better off in shallow coverage, when in the slot.
- Can be a little stiff when transitioning.
Summary:
Smith is a solid player who can do a variety of things. I wouldn’t say he excels at anything, though. Can play tough down low, but doesn’t have great size. Decent in coverage, but average athleticism caps his upside. He should be able to make it as a versatile backup at the next level.
| Grade: 66.9 | Round Grade: 5th |
8
S, Jaylin Simpson
School: Auburn
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 179 lbs
Strengths:
- Simpson has pretty good length for the position.
- Good tackle radius and can get his hands in for a breakup.
- Is pretty solid in coverage. Keeps it relatively tight.
- Size is good in contested situations.
Weaknesses:
- Frame is a bit lean and can get pushed around.
- Doesn’t play the run very well.
- Not always interested, and not always effective when he does play the run.
- Might be a bit stiff for man coverage at the next level.
Summary:
Simpson has some coverage talent. Not to say he’s perfect, as he can end up out of position at times, but he also can make some plays. Show the odd bit of stiffness, but it’s not too bad. Simpson has shown the ability to cover from different alignments, and could even be used at CB in a pinch. Doesn’t offer a lot in terms of run support, and isn’t much of a tackler. He is on the smaller side, so bigger players can take advantage. Simpson projects as a backup and possibly a rotational guy, with an emphasis on coverage.
| Grade: 66.5 | Round Grade: 5th |
9
S, Kamren Kitchens
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 203 lbs
Strengths:
- Plays a tough brand of football.
- Kitchens is pretty solid against the run.
- Helped generate turnovers.
- Is a good special teamer.
- Flashes ball hawking tendencies.
Weaknesses:
- Not super athletic, based on film and testing.
- Below average speed and lateral agility.
- Tough to project him as being a quality player in coverage at the next level, despite some flashes.
- Doesn’t have the athleticism to play in man, and would be best in only shallower zone.
- Can sometimes take bad angles in pursuit of the ball carrier.
Summary:
Kitchens showed some ability in coverage in college. He has ball hawking tendencies. However, his lack of ideal athleticism is a bit of a concern for his future outlook. May not be as successful in coverage, where he’ll be up against faster competition. Still, Kitchens plays the run pretty well, and is good enough on special teams. He projects as a backup at the next level.
| Grade: 62.7 | Round Grade: 6th |
S Rankings:
- Tyler Nubin (81.4, Rd 2)
- Dadrion Taylor-Demeson (78.9, Rd 3)
- Javon Bullard (77.7, Rd 7)
- Jaden Hicks (73.7, Rd 4)
- Cole Bishop (73.6, Rd 4)
- Calen Bullock (70.0, Rd 4)
- Tykee Smith (66.9, Rd 5)
- Jaylin Simpson (66.5, Rd 5)
- Kamren Kitchens (62.7, Rd 6)
Notables Not Graded:
- Kitan Oladapo
- Malik Mustapha
- Beau Brade
- Dominique Hampton
- Josh Proctor
- Evan Williams
