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The_Coach: Hamsah Nasirildeen (Florida State)
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Putting aside the fact that Hamsah Nasirildeen easily has one of the best names in the 2021 NFL Draft class, he also boasts a great 6’ 3”, 215 pound frame to make him one of the larger safeties available in the group. I personally favor bigger safeties who can come up and make plays in front of them rather than those who play the ball better over the top and the former Seminole who led the team in tackles as both as a sophomore and junior does just that.
John: Ar’Darius Washington (TCU)
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Washington is undersized for the NFL. There’s no getting around that, at 5’8” and 178 pounds he’s not going to be able to matchup with some NFL talent. Washington definitely has place in the league, however. He has an unparalleled game sense, and paired with his speed and verticality can become a very disruptive presence. He’s not a player you can build a secondary around, but he’s a unique talent who should be a huge asset for a team that needs a playmaker in the pass defense game.
Ross: Richie Grant (UCF)
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Richie Grant is an extremely versatile player that has played all over the field for UCF. He boasts solid athleticism to support him being placed all over the field and somehow always finds a way to be around the ball. Grant’s physical traits don’t restrict him and this allows him to flash his ball skills. While he has played everything from slot safety to single-high looks, Grant projects most favorably to looking at being primarily a free safety in the league. Though his experience playing multiple roles will allow defensive coordinators to be creative with him. He has some work to do with cleaning up his tackling form and avoiding mental miscues, but Richie Grant possesses the ability to become an impact starter in the NFL from day one.