We're back with another position group to assess from the rookie crop of S17! Today, we'll take a look at the talented group of eight defensive backs looking to make names for themselves in the NSFL. This group proved even more difficult to rank than the defensive linemen, and obviously there's room for debate, but this is what we have, once again starting from the back of the pack.
8. Bishop Berrian, CB, Wake Forest: Berrian, a 6'1", 190 lb zone coverage specialist originally from Granada, Spain, ranks at the bottom of an incredibly talented group of players, so don't discount the possibility that he someday takes this league by storm, especially considering he is one of the smartest of the crop. However, to get there, the former Demon Deacon has his work cut out for him; he is easily the least mobile of the entire bunch, ranking lowest among corners in agility, and among all defensive backs in speed. Berrian also struggles with endurance, tied for last among the class, which leaves him relying on his elite football brain to carry him in this league until he can match the physicality of the rest of the group. This could spell trouble for Berrian, especially in a league where GMs value speed above all for their defensive backs.
7. Koda Adok, CB, Florida State: Y'all shouldn't be surprised to see another corner in this spot; although there is not doubt the corners have a great deal of potential, all three safeties rank in the top half of this class of defensive backs. Adok, a 6'1", 193 lb former Seminole, is another one of those corners with potential to develop: the Tampa native ranks tied for first among this class of corners in both strength and agility. The problem for Adok is the clear lack of a defining trait, paired with the lowest intelligence rating among the class of corners and a tackling rating tied for last among the entire defensive back class. Like Berrian, Adok has a good deal of work to do if he wants to find success in this league; if you're looking for a project corner later in the draft, neither of these two is without promise, they'll just require a good deal of help to get to the next level.
6. Willie Woodson, CB, University of California - Los Angeles: I did say the safeties would have to wait until the top half, right? However, Woodson, a 6'1", 199 lb former Bruin, is absolutely no slouch. The L.A. native ranks atop this class with Berrian in terms of his football smarts, and his endurance is unmatched among this class of corners; this kid can learn a defense quickly enough to play from day one, and he'll play just about every down you can give him. The concerns for Woodson center around his ability to take down a receiver if he can't snag the ball himself; Woodson has the lowest strength rating among corners, and his tackling ranks with Adok's as worst among defensive backs. Woodson likely also has work to do to find success in the NSFL, but he's the type of player who is absolutely ready to compete in the DSFL yesterday.
5. Mervin Leonard, CB, N/A: I have to admit how upset I am that I have Leonard ranked in the bottom half of defensive backs. At 25, the 6'2", 195 lb Leonard is the oldest defensive back prospect by a couple years, and he is also the only one of the bunch who not only did not attend college, but did not even finish high school. This might be a red flag for GMs concerned about his intelligence, but Leonard actually sits around the middle of the pack of corners in that respect, and he's probably the most mobile of the bunch, with agility on par with Adok and Andrews, plus speed that leads the crop of corners. The main concerns for Leonard are his hands: Leonard ranks lowest among defensive backs in his ability to catch the ball. However, the man from the Northwest Territory of Canada has worked long and hard to get to the DSFL draft, and I have no doubts he can shake his struggles snagging footballs and find success in the NSFL. I'm rooting for Merv; you should too.
4. Takeda Okura, S, Oregon State University: If you were looking to read about the safeties of this class, you can start reading here. Okura, a 6'1", 199 lb center fielder type, is the other player with an argument for most exotic in the class, as he is a native of Osaka, Japan. Okura is also the youngest player of this class, which shows in his intelligence and strength, both worst among defensive back prospects. However, Okura ranks in our top half for a reason, which may also have something to do with his youth: Okura leads the class of defensive backs in both speed and endurance. The former Beaver's speed rating is bound to have GMs drooling, but be warned: Okura's game is still unpolished, so while he looks to be ahead of the pack in certain respects, he still has work to do to find himself among the elite players of the NSFL.
3. Tyron Brackenridge, S, University of Maryland: The highest rated foreign-born player, the 6'2", 223 lb native of Ottawa, Canada is the premier tackler of this crop of defensive backs, perfect for the run support role he likes to play. The former Terrapin ranks highest in both strength and tackling among defensive back prospects, something GMs whose teams need help stopping the run should take note of sooner rather than later. However, every player has his flaws, and Brackenridge is no exception; Brackenridge ranks last among safeties in hands and endurance, and last among all defensive back prospects in agility. The bright side for Brackenridge is that his style of play doesn't rely heavily on those traits; the trouble will be finding the right fit for his particular skill set.
2. Jordan Andrews, CB, University of California - Los Angeles: This was a good season for the Bruins in the defensive backfield. Both Woodson and now Andrews, a 6'1", 205 lb man coverage specialist, have real chances of being taken high in the draft. Andrews especially excels among this defensive back class, ranking first among corners in strength, agility, and tackling, and first among all defensive backs in hands. The greatest weakness of the Phoenix native's game is his endurance; he's bound to make plays on the field, but the real question mark is whether he can stay on the field if opposing offenses put together drives. Another potential cause for concern: we haven't heard much from Andrews since he declared for the draft, not nearly as much as we've seen from his former teammate Woodson. Perhaps Andrews is simply a private person, or perhaps there is more cause for concern there. Only time will tell.
1. A.C. Payton, S, University of Missouri: The strength of the safeties from this class meant one was almost bound to find the top spot, and A.C. Payton fits that bill. The 5'11", 210 lb former Tiger is a playmaker through and through, and his numbers reflect that. A.C. Payton is the most agile defensive back in the class, and has the highest intelligence and best hands amongst safeties to boot. The concern for the Cedar Falls native is his ability to keep up; he ranks lowest among the safety crop in both speed and endurance, and he can only make the ridiculous plays we're used to seeing from him if he can get to the ball in time. However, we have confidence that Payton is grinding hard to improve where he has to, and this leaves him atop the class of defensive backs for season 17.
8. Bishop Berrian, CB, Wake Forest: Berrian, a 6'1", 190 lb zone coverage specialist originally from Granada, Spain, ranks at the bottom of an incredibly talented group of players, so don't discount the possibility that he someday takes this league by storm, especially considering he is one of the smartest of the crop. However, to get there, the former Demon Deacon has his work cut out for him; he is easily the least mobile of the entire bunch, ranking lowest among corners in agility, and among all defensive backs in speed. Berrian also struggles with endurance, tied for last among the class, which leaves him relying on his elite football brain to carry him in this league until he can match the physicality of the rest of the group. This could spell trouble for Berrian, especially in a league where GMs value speed above all for their defensive backs.
7. Koda Adok, CB, Florida State: Y'all shouldn't be surprised to see another corner in this spot; although there is not doubt the corners have a great deal of potential, all three safeties rank in the top half of this class of defensive backs. Adok, a 6'1", 193 lb former Seminole, is another one of those corners with potential to develop: the Tampa native ranks tied for first among this class of corners in both strength and agility. The problem for Adok is the clear lack of a defining trait, paired with the lowest intelligence rating among the class of corners and a tackling rating tied for last among the entire defensive back class. Like Berrian, Adok has a good deal of work to do if he wants to find success in this league; if you're looking for a project corner later in the draft, neither of these two is without promise, they'll just require a good deal of help to get to the next level.
6. Willie Woodson, CB, University of California - Los Angeles: I did say the safeties would have to wait until the top half, right? However, Woodson, a 6'1", 199 lb former Bruin, is absolutely no slouch. The L.A. native ranks atop this class with Berrian in terms of his football smarts, and his endurance is unmatched among this class of corners; this kid can learn a defense quickly enough to play from day one, and he'll play just about every down you can give him. The concerns for Woodson center around his ability to take down a receiver if he can't snag the ball himself; Woodson has the lowest strength rating among corners, and his tackling ranks with Adok's as worst among defensive backs. Woodson likely also has work to do to find success in the NSFL, but he's the type of player who is absolutely ready to compete in the DSFL yesterday.
5. Mervin Leonard, CB, N/A: I have to admit how upset I am that I have Leonard ranked in the bottom half of defensive backs. At 25, the 6'2", 195 lb Leonard is the oldest defensive back prospect by a couple years, and he is also the only one of the bunch who not only did not attend college, but did not even finish high school. This might be a red flag for GMs concerned about his intelligence, but Leonard actually sits around the middle of the pack of corners in that respect, and he's probably the most mobile of the bunch, with agility on par with Adok and Andrews, plus speed that leads the crop of corners. The main concerns for Leonard are his hands: Leonard ranks lowest among defensive backs in his ability to catch the ball. However, the man from the Northwest Territory of Canada has worked long and hard to get to the DSFL draft, and I have no doubts he can shake his struggles snagging footballs and find success in the NSFL. I'm rooting for Merv; you should too.
4. Takeda Okura, S, Oregon State University: If you were looking to read about the safeties of this class, you can start reading here. Okura, a 6'1", 199 lb center fielder type, is the other player with an argument for most exotic in the class, as he is a native of Osaka, Japan. Okura is also the youngest player of this class, which shows in his intelligence and strength, both worst among defensive back prospects. However, Okura ranks in our top half for a reason, which may also have something to do with his youth: Okura leads the class of defensive backs in both speed and endurance. The former Beaver's speed rating is bound to have GMs drooling, but be warned: Okura's game is still unpolished, so while he looks to be ahead of the pack in certain respects, he still has work to do to find himself among the elite players of the NSFL.
3. Tyron Brackenridge, S, University of Maryland: The highest rated foreign-born player, the 6'2", 223 lb native of Ottawa, Canada is the premier tackler of this crop of defensive backs, perfect for the run support role he likes to play. The former Terrapin ranks highest in both strength and tackling among defensive back prospects, something GMs whose teams need help stopping the run should take note of sooner rather than later. However, every player has his flaws, and Brackenridge is no exception; Brackenridge ranks last among safeties in hands and endurance, and last among all defensive back prospects in agility. The bright side for Brackenridge is that his style of play doesn't rely heavily on those traits; the trouble will be finding the right fit for his particular skill set.
2. Jordan Andrews, CB, University of California - Los Angeles: This was a good season for the Bruins in the defensive backfield. Both Woodson and now Andrews, a 6'1", 205 lb man coverage specialist, have real chances of being taken high in the draft. Andrews especially excels among this defensive back class, ranking first among corners in strength, agility, and tackling, and first among all defensive backs in hands. The greatest weakness of the Phoenix native's game is his endurance; he's bound to make plays on the field, but the real question mark is whether he can stay on the field if opposing offenses put together drives. Another potential cause for concern: we haven't heard much from Andrews since he declared for the draft, not nearly as much as we've seen from his former teammate Woodson. Perhaps Andrews is simply a private person, or perhaps there is more cause for concern there. Only time will tell.
1. A.C. Payton, S, University of Missouri: The strength of the safeties from this class meant one was almost bound to find the top spot, and A.C. Payton fits that bill. The 5'11", 210 lb former Tiger is a playmaker through and through, and his numbers reflect that. A.C. Payton is the most agile defensive back in the class, and has the highest intelligence and best hands amongst safeties to boot. The concern for the Cedar Falls native is his ability to keep up; he ranks lowest among the safety crop in both speed and endurance, and he can only make the ridiculous plays we're used to seeing from him if he can get to the ball in time. However, we have confidence that Payton is grinding hard to improve where he has to, and this leaves him atop the class of defensive backs for season 17.