Draft preview - the safeties There is a theory going around some draft sites that midway through the first round, a run on defensive backs will take place. Given the quality of the defensive backs in this year's draft, this makes sense. There was expected to be a run on defensive backs early in the second round but it is now thought that it will occur somewhere around the Dolphins' pick. This is either very good or very bad for the Bucs. If the Bucs are targeting a corner then the target may be off the board earlier than expected if teams start grabbing for any top rated DB. However, conversely if they are targeting a tackle or a linebacker, then a run on DB’s could leave the Bucs with a difficult decision to make faced with a number of prospects that were not expected to be available with the Bucs on the clock. I feel there is a good chance that somewhere in the first day the Bucs will target a defensive back. There are quite a lot of premium defensive backs in this year's draft so therefore I have split the DB’s into two reports (FS/SS this week and corners next week). Free Safeties There look to be three free safeties that stand above the rest (you could also add Michael Huff (Texas) to this group but I see him more as a cornerback). Ko Simpson (South Carolina) – The good news is that Simpson is only a sophomore and therefore young and could be developed, the bad news is he is only a sophomore and therefore has very little experience. Not many Sophomore enter the draft, the main one that springs to mind is Larry Fitzgerald (Clarett & Williams never got in as Sophomores), Fitzgerald was dominant in his second year of college ball, Ko Simpson was good but he was no where near dominant, he has great range playing centre field as a free safety, will make incredibly athletic interceptions. Great in coverage but watching him tackle is a bit of a horror show at times. He is not very physical, poor technique, has very little aggression to his play and physically not that big. That said he is a talent at the free safety position but could do with more than two years experience. Jason Allen (Tennessee) – Could play corner or safety at the next level, again not the most physical of safeties but has showed great speed and ability to change direction, the feeling is that he will be gone before the Bucs pick. Doesn’t make lot of plays on the ball and he may not be durable enough for the position, and doesn’t have a lot of experience playing corner. It is said to have not come across well in interviews due to his reported arrogance. An obvious talent but he might have a few issues. Danieal Manning (Abilene Christian) – Will suffer from the small school complex come draft day, he will be on a lot of draft boards on the first day and it will be a matter of which team pulls the trigger on him first (Jacksonville’s Rashean Mathis is a recent example) Manning dominated at Division II and at the Shrine Game, has elite speed but coverage skills are still a bit raw. I have seen 2nd round projections for Manning, which is purely down to his athletic ability. There will be obvious questions about the level of competition he has faced but we did draft Larry Brackins straight out of the JUCO ranks so that may be less of a question to the Bucs. Other names to look out for include Anthony Smith (Syracuse) a touch physical specimen that should be a late round steal and Pat Watkins (Florida State) with first round measurables but had a poor senior season but still should be a 1st day pick. Strong Safeties Donte Whitner (Ohio State) – Another prospect that could also make the transition to corner back due to his pure speed, some worry that he may not be big enough to play safety, I expect he will be tried out at corner but ultimately will be a safety. A leader for the Ohio State defence (which says a lot). Excellent coverage skills for a safety, solid tackler and could form an all Buck-Eye safety tandem in Tampa along with former team mate Will Allen, Whitner hits hard at time similar to the hits that Allen brought last year, plays bigger than his physical frame on every down. Daniel Bullocks (Nebraska) – The type of player that you would love to have on special teams, tackles hard and secure, never lets personal safety get in the way of a big hit. Hard working and a better prospect than brother Josh (FS for the Saints) Daniel is lacking in coverage and may struggle in the NFL (then again a lack of coverage skill hasn’t stopped some Safeties from gaining pro bowl trips) A great worker could drop to the third round and would be a nice pick up late on day one. Darnell Bing (Southern Cal) – A player I would be glad to see not wearing Bucs colours, I know that the Trojans have a history of producing NFL starters, and especially at the safety position. Bing has great size and speed and will probably be over drafted because of it but he has played his junior season trying to avoid contact to secure his NFL payday. If Gruden liked that Michael Clayton scored a touchdown and then made then tackle on the following kick off for LSU I should imagine Bing’s lack of aggression and attitude this season may move him down the Bucs board. It is rumoured not to be the most intelligent of individuals and is more of a product of hype than football ability. Other names to look for include Greg Blue (Georgia) big hitting safety that will be a late 2nd day pick, will struggle at safety or linebacker but will be great on special teams, had a horrible combine. Bernard Pollard (Purdue) physical safety that could convert to linebacker and would suit a cover-2 defence. While corner may be the biggest need in the secondary, Dexter Jackson’s departure through free agency (again) and some unconvinced of the current pair, a safety could be an option during the draft. I don’t think the Bucs will go that way early but one of the versatile safeties that could also get a look at corner as well may be a possibility. Wayne Maw, March 2006