2022 NFL Draft Preview: Safety
April 1, 2022
by Alex Zeese
Washington has needs at safety. They are not totally depleted at safety – they resigned Bobby McCain, and he would be expected to start next to Kamren Curl, with last year’s draft pick Darrick Forrest backing them up. They did cut both Landon Collins and Deshazor Everett this offseason, for very different reasons. Troy Apke also exists, for whatever he’s worth. Again, there are way too many prospects for me to go into any kind of details about all of them, but I’m going to hit the highlights of this year’s safety draft class.
First-round prospects:
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame, 6’4″, 220. There is no question that Hamilton is the top safety in this draft class. Washington had a few scouts at Notre Dame’s pro day, so there is some interest. Hamilton is intriguing given his size. You don’t find a lot of 6’4 defensive backs, and while he’s not the fastest player on the field, he has very impressive play reading abilities and quickness. Odds are you would play him in the box. But this is a prospect who could come in and start opening week. Hamilton played in 31 games, over 3 seasons, had 148 tackles 8 interceptions.
Daxton Hill, Michigan, CB/SS, 6’0″, 192. I know, I mentioned him as a cornerback as well, but I really like Hill’s game. He would be able to provide a lot of depth. His numbers: 3 seasons 32 games, 149 tackles, 4 interceptions, ½ a sack.
Day 2 prospects:
Lewis Cine, Georgia, 6’2″, 200. Cine would be a better fit for the Commanders if they’re looking for a free safety. He’s much rangier than Hamilton and much quicker, though even in his case he’s played plenty at strong as well. From 2019 to 2021 he played in 31 games, had 144 tackles and 2 interceptions. He’s projected as a late 1st early 2nd round prospect.
Jaquan Brisker, Penn State,6’1″, 199. A good physical safety, with decent size and build. He looked a bit stiff at times while watching highlights but I won’t be shocked if he’s an NFL starter in a year or two. He played 34 games in 3 seasons and had 151 tackles and 5 interceptions.
Kerby Joseph, Illinois, 6’1″, 203. The first highlight I found of him was playing gunner on special teams, so I am now already a fan, and the team needs someone to replace Deshazor in that role. He played a lot of middle of the field deep safety and did well there. He played 31 games in 4 years and had 116 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
Jalen Pitre, Baylor, 5’11”, 198. A five-year player, he comes with a bunch of experience having been in 46 games in college and he has 195 tackles 4 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles. His production really picked up in his last 2 seasons. I’d worry about his size but he’s good and has a good, quick reaction time.
Day 3 prospects:
The first name that stands out to me is Nick Cross, and not because he is a local prospect, but because he had an impressive combine. In the combine he ran the fastest 40 of the group, 4.34, and had a 37 inch vertical and a 130 broad jump. That impressive showing may have pushed Cross up into possible day 2 territory. Cross missed much of his sophomore season but in his 3 years at Maryland, he had 1134 tackles 5 interceptions 3 forced fumbles.
As many of you know I’m always thinking that what Washington really needs is a classic deep coverage single high style safety. Another guy who could be that player and fits that bill, would be Yusuf Corker out of Kentucky. He’s not flashy but his job is to be the last man to beat. Corker is 5’11”, 204 lbs, and over 43 games in 4 seasons he had 241 tackles, 3 interceptions 2 sacks, and a touchdown. Similarly, Nick Grant out of Virginia is a good deep field player and has some good size as well: he’s 6’3′, 190, and he played 40 games in 5 seasons, and had 136 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles.