Mayock's Top 5 Safeties

[schweinhart]

Caught NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock giving his rundown on the Top 5 safeties for the draft:

1. Donte Whitner: The only safety who he says is a 1st rounder and compares to Bob Sanders.

2. Anthony Smith: Pretty clear he's Mayock's personal favorite.

3. Daniel Bullocks: 2nd rounder like his twin brother was last year.

4. Darnell Bing: 3rd rounder

5. KO Simpson: Should've stayed in school said Mayock -- 2nd or 3rd rounder.

Mayock has Mike Huff the #1 CB and didn't include him with the safeties.

He also said Jason Allen would've probably been his #1 FS if he had stayed healthy. He said that Allen could still be a 1st rounder if he clears the medical testing on his hip at combine and shows between now and the draft that his change of direction is back to where it was before he was injured.

[da boss]

I like donte whitner and think that Marvin will snatch him up in the second round. If we could get kiwanuka and whitner in rounds 1 and 2 i will be one happy Bengals fan

[NJ29]

Yo! I like Anthony Smith, but before Ko? Not happening.

[Kazkal]

isen't whitner kinda small for a SS?

[Whur CHad At?]

Apparently he has never seen Ko Simpson play. He was an 1st team All-American as a freshman. Not many players can do that.

[Kazkal]

How was ko's soph season? stat wise he went 6 ints too 1

[thepudgester]

Mayock, like Kiper, seems to play the favorites game. Whitner is three inches talles than Sanders...not too comparable...

[schweinhart]

Yo! I like Anthony Smith, but before Ko? Not happening.

Not likely and Mayock is definitely hyping a player he likes much like he bashes players he doesn't like.

But.....one thing that Smith has got is a big asset to teams -- versaility. Smith is on the smallish side for a SS but he brings the hat. He's more suited for FS and could add the dimension of nickel back. Much like Jahmile Addae, Smith got time in Senior Bowl practices and the game as a CB. The difference I noticed between those 2 is that Smith is much quicker out of the break to react on a cut.

Apparently he has never seen Ko Simpson play. He was an 1st team All-American as a freshman. Not many players can do that.

I'm sure he has. But for whatever reason he's dogging him for now. After the combine, he might be singing a different tune. The difference in ranking between KO and Bullocks is one that might hold.

Mayock, like Kiper, seems to play the favorites game. Whitner is three inches talles than Sanders...not too comparable...

Mayock definitely hypes players but unlike Kiper, Mayock is inside coming out rather than outside looking in. Plus, Mayock himself was a NFL safety. I believe the comparison between Whitner and Bullet Bob has more to do with the explosion he has to the ball, how active both are on the field and their mutually shared intent to detonate on players with the ball rather than their differnec in height, but I do think the comparison is limited because Whitner has that extra dimension of developing nickel back skills, which will go noticed by teams. I'd say Whitner is more like Huff or Madieu.

isen't whitner kinda small for a SS?

Depends on whether or not a team wants the SS to be interchangeable with the free. If not, then yes he might be considered smallish by some teams.

[turningpoint]

At least no1 is mentioning that dumbass Greg Blue anymore.

[Kazkal]

I woulden't mind greg blue in 4th round or later as depth for LB and SS on running downs him or slay + stick either one on special teams make those KR'ers so scared that they'll pull a ratliff

[NJ29]

At least no1 is mentioning that dumbass Greg Blue anymore.

Ya, at least we have that going for us.

[BengalPappaw]

I do NOT agree with Mayock's Top 5 Safeties.

My ranking of "safeties" is:

1. Michael Huff

2. Ko Simpson

3. Donte Whitner

4. Daniel Bullocks

5. Pat Watkins (I like his experience on special teams.)

I agree that Jason Allen would be in the top two or three -- IF HEALTHY.

Anthony Smith did NOT impress me -- but I only have two game tapes of him.

Greg Blue is another HITTER, but doesn't fit the bill as a safety for the Bengals who can play the pass effectively.

Dwayne Slay also falls into that "HITTER" category.

Darnell Bing remains an enigma to me -- I just don't know where to put him.

[schweinhart]

I hear you Pap and I notice how you got "safeties" there. I think it's hard enough to get a handle on what individual prospects bring to the table when they get grouped as either FS or SS, much less when they're all lumped together as safeties.

Which is why a further breakdown at the positions might prove useful.

Versatile Safties (FS/SS/Nickel)

1. Mike Huff: Add press corner to his resume and this is why he's a Top 10 pick.

2. Donte Whitner: Slot coverage experience and size vs. run at SS are his only downside.

3. Anthony Smith: Same downside as above, only he's even smaller and not as fast or explosive.

4. Jahmile Addae: Interchangeable at safety but smallish at SS and questionable speed as nickel.

5. Charlie Peprah: Same as above and probably better suited as a teamer and zone corner or FS.

Interchangeable safeties (FS/SS)

1. Daniel Bullocks: He looks the best suited at both with an emphasis at strong.

2. Darnell Bing: Best suited at strong but experienced in deep coverage with enough centerfield speed.

3. KO Simpson: Best suited at free but physical enough to go up vs. TEs and bigger RBs at strong.

4. Pat Watkins: He'll only add more to his frame and is a solid player already.

5. Dwayne Slay: A big, true slobber knocker who has showed some ability in coverage despite speed.

The long and short for the Bengals needs at safety would be this: How do you want to use Madieu? Do you want him to be the primary or secondary option at SS in the interchangeable system? If primary, then KO might be the pick. If secondary, then Whitner, Bullocks or Bing. Also, do you want Madieu to play the slot receiver in nickel? If you'd rather keep him free, then Whitner might be the pick again unless you want to roll with Keiwan in the nickel.

I would guess if the Bengals want Whitner, Bullocks, Simpson or Bing, they'll have to use a 1st. All these players would bring their dimensions of strength to the safety position for the Bengals with immediate impact. It will be hard for the Bengals to lay off safety in the 1st but I still think they should because we're still talking abut safeties.

[cincy9275]

whittner being #1 is kinda surprising i always thought he had talent but needed another year to develop. but i would not mind if he is a bengal after the draft

[kentjett]

Jimmy Williams will play safety and he belongs on the top of the list

[BengalChamps]

It will be hard for the Bengals to lay off safety in the 1st but I still think they should because we're still talking abut safeties.

I bet the Squeelers are happy they didnt lay off Polamolu in the first round because he was just a safety. The safety position is very important. Defending deep passes sideline to sideline AND being able to keep running plays under 5 yards can't be easy.

[schweinhart]

It will be hard for the Bengals to lay off safety in the 1st but I still think they should because we're still talking abut safeties.

I bet the Squeelers are happy they didnt lay off Polamolu in the first round because he was just a safety. The safety position is very important. Defending deep passes sideline to sideline AND being able to keep running plays under 5 yards can't be easy.

Big difference between a safety and a freak of nature joker like Polamalu, a linebacker sized safety with cover corner skills like Sean Taylor, or a lightning quick physical player who can play every DB position well, even nickel in the slot like Huff.

If there was a Super Safety like one of them at #24 I'd be all for it. Safeties have to do their jobs and getting the right mix of skills is the hardest part but there's no shortage of players who can step in and be adequate enough if the defense is strong where it's most important -- the front 7 and the corners. The Bengals had street free agent Ohalete and Kaeshviharn back there and still were 11-3 at one point.