2013 NFL Draft: Top 5 Safety Prospects

Sept 1, 2012; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns free safety Kenny Vaccaro (4) intercepts a pass intended for Wyoming Cowboys wide receiver Chris McNeil (80) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Safeties have the opportunity to make a game changing play or to send a message to the other team with a hit stick tackle. This year’s draft offers a few players who are known for these types of plays. With the stellar play of the safeties this past year, many NFL teams are looking to add a game changing “outfielder” to their roster.

1) Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas (6-1, 218) – Kenny has the size and speed of a prototypical NFL safety. Vaccaro has everything an NFL safety needs. Good speed, good size, great ball skills, and can tackle well.  He considered leaving school for last year’s NFL draft, but decided to stay. That decision will pay off for Kenny as he is projected to be a top 10 pick this year.

2) Eric Reid, FS, LSU (6-2, 212) – Like Kenny Vaccaro, Eric Reid is exactly what an NFL safety looks and plays like. He is scrappy and willing to lay the wood when necessary. Reid possesses great ball skills and impressive athletic ability. He was the best safety in the SEC this past year, which is saying a lot. Eric Reid is a first round NFL draft prospect.

3) Matt Elam, SS, Florida (5-10, 202) – A Heisman runner-up; He recorded 113 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four passes broken up and 7 interceptions. Matt is the brother of current NFL player Abe Elam. Matt is a physical safety who does a good but not great job in coverage. He has a knack of getting the football in his hands which is a very good thing. He has good speed and ball skills. He lacks the height that some other safeties have in this draft. His playmaking ability can’t be ignored though. Matt Elam is a solid second round draft prospect as of right now.

4) Baccari Rambo, FS, Georgia (6-1, 215) – Baccari Rambo definetly has the name of an elite NFL safety. He also looks the part as well. He has great size and can run well. His balls skills are where they need to be and he is a very good tackler. Rambo looks for opportunities to land that big hit that everybody talks about the next day. The only problem Baccari has is missed tackles due to his very aggresive style of play. Overall, Baccari Rambo is a late second, early third round draft prospect.

5) Phillip Thomas, FS, Fresno State (6-1, 210) – Phillip is a well built athlete. He has good quickness and can cover man to man well. He has great recovery or closing speed and can tackle well. Thomas has what it takes to be an NFL safety. As of right now he is a third round draft prospect.