2014 NFL Combine Recap: DB
Feb 25, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive back Calvin Pryor runs the 40 yard dash during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Safeties
Mo Alexander, Utah State: Alexander had one of the better days among the safeties. He had a solid day of field work, ran a 4.54 in the 40 and jumped 38 inches in the vertical. He looked exceptionally smooth for a 220 lb. man with a reputation as an in-the-box type hard hitter.
Dion Bailey, USC: A highly touted prospect at the beginning of the year, the converted linebacker has seen his draft stock plummet in recent months and his combine performance did little to change that. He managed only a pedestrian 4.66 in the 40 yard dash, but looked surprisingly smooth in the field drills. I think he will be drafted on the third day by a team looking for him to gain weight and move to linebacker. If it works, he could wind up being a steal, but he is likely to end up as just a special teams player.
Terrence Brooks, Florida State: So athletic he blended in with the corners today. His 4.42 was the best time among any of the safeties and close to the best among the corners. He also had an impressive 38 inch vertical jump and looked really good in the field drills. Brooks is small for the position (5′ 11″, 198), but not absurdly tiny.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama: Though Clinton-Dix has been touted as the best safety in this class, I came away from the combine unimpressed. His 4.58 in the 40 was solid but unspectacular, as were his 33 inch vertical jump and 119 inch broad jump. He was a bit tight in the field work and just didn’t shine as much as I would like a first round safety prospect to.
Calvin Pryor, Louisville: Pryor is the “other” first round safety in this class, I came away from the combine equally unimpressed with both he and Clinton-Dix. He also ran the 40 in 4.58 seconds, had a slightly better vertical at 34.5 inches, but had a worse broad jump of 116 inches. His style of play reminds me a lot of Lois Delmas and, like Delmas, I think there could be injury concerns in his future.
Deone Bucannon, Washington State: This guy might be my favorite safety in this class. He’s extremely well put together, remarkably athletic and has the tape to back it up. Coming from a bad program like Washington State, he’s flown a little under the radar so far, but I’d be surprised if he makes it out of the second round. He ran the 40 in 4.49 seconds, bench pressed 225 lbs. 19 times, had a vertical jump of 36.5 inches, and a broad jump of 125 inches; all among the best for his position. Throw in that he’s 6′ 1″, weighs 211 lbs., and has arms over 32 inches and you can see why I’m falling in love with this kid.
Ed Reynolds, Stanford: Reynolds is another guy who came into last season with a ton of momentum, but has seen his stock fall as of late. He timed out at 4.57 in the 40 and looked stiff in the field work. He seems like an in-the-box strong safety type to me.
Brock Vereen, Minnesota: Vereen had a solid day. He wasn’t the biggest guy out there and his arms are kind of short (30 inches), but he moved well. He tallied 4.47 in the 40 and was solid in the field drills, though nobody will mistake him for a cornerback.
Notes- Vinnie Sunseri and Jimmie Ward did not participate today
Who’s your favorite player in this group? Who do you think the Bears should draft? Let me know in the comments.