SS Matt Elam ~ Florida Gators ~ 5097/208
Regarding Strong Safeties
The Game is indeed changing, and has, in my opinion, reached the point where Strong Safeties can no longer be accurately graded if we employ the old measuring stick ~ the one that placed an huge Premium on Run Defense.
Today's Strong Safety needs to be a true Hybrid ~ precisely like the Gryphons of The Yankee 245.
The most compelling Attributes of a Strong Safety are, in my view, and in no particular order:
Processing Speed ~ The ability to Rapidly Read & React to the Play as it develops
Diagnostic Acuity ~ The ability to do so effectively and with Precision
Range ~ Lateral Velocity & DownHill Burst
Verticity ~ Turn & Burn Acuity ~ Flip of the Hip to Rotate & Run with Receivers
Combat ~ The ability to work through Traffic
Tackling ~ Consistency & Precision
Today's Strong Safety needs to be a true Hybrid ~ precisely like the Gryphons of The Yankee 245.
The most compelling Attributes of a Strong Safety are, in my view, and in no particular order:
Processing Speed ~ The ability to Rapidly Read & React to the Play as it develops
Diagnostic Acuity ~ The ability to do so effectively and with Precision
Range ~ Lateral Velocity & DownHill Burst
Verticity ~ Turn & Burn Acuity ~ Flip of the Hip to Rotate & Run with Receivers
Combat ~ The ability to work through Traffic
Tackling ~ Consistency & Precision
Matt Elam Scouting Report
Run Defense ~ Unreliable. Elam's made a name for'mself with a Litany of Splash Plays, but his Motor runs Hot & Cold and he is horrifically inconsistent and undependable. He commands terrific Lateral Agility & Range, and he's certainly an hard hitter, but he can't be relied upon to stick to Assignments.
Pass Defense ~ Awful. His Verticity is sluggish and slow. God only knows how he's gonna manage Tight Ends.
Pass Defense ~ Awful. His Verticity is sluggish and slow. God only knows how he's gonna manage Tight Ends.
Prospectus
One of the most bewildering things, to me, is the lofty status that Matt Elam enjoys in the Draft world.
Sadly, it's almost certainly a reflection of my dramatic lack of Experience at this, and my general Incompetence, that I view his Stock as worth so very little in comparison to the vast majority...
Even so, I have to roll with what I see, and what I see is a short Strong Safety who won't be able to cover anyone at The Next Level, and whose Run Defense seems entirely focused on the ESPN HighLight Reel.
Hopefully, I have dramatically misjudged the guy. I have nothing against'm. I just gotta roll with what I see.
Sadly, it's almost certainly a reflection of my dramatic lack of Experience at this, and my general Incompetence, that I view his Stock as worth so very little in comparison to the vast majority...
Even so, I have to roll with what I see, and what I see is a short Strong Safety who won't be able to cover anyone at The Next Level, and whose Run Defense seems entirely focused on the ESPN HighLight Reel.
Hopefully, I have dramatically misjudged the guy. I have nothing against'm. I just gotta roll with what I see.
Yank Rank: Reserve ~ Vastly OverRated!!
| Consensus Market Value 1st/2nd | Yankee Grade 6th Round |
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