Disclaimer: Our Grades are based on a mixture of current skill and potential, there is no saying they will reach their full potential 

*Click on the Player Names to See Their Full NFL Draft Profiles

1. Brian Branch

6’, 190

Round: Mid-Late 1

Grade: 68.6% (Top tier starter, who is a borderline pro bowler. Potentially in the pro bowl conversation almost every year though.)

Comp: CJ Gardner-Johnson

Summary: One of the first things you notice about Branch is his extreme versatility across the defense. Branch is also a great blitzer and can be really disruptive. He flashes the ability to be absolutely relentless. If he gets blocked he will continue trying to get to the QB. Branch has laid out RB while blitzing, he does not care who or what is in his way. Branch is also not afraid of lineman. He will stand toe-to-toe against lineman without flinching. He will attack lineman in the same way that he would a WR or TE. In zone, sometimes he can have his eyes glued in the backfield. He can see things in front of him, but once they cross face he is just unaware of what’s going on behind him at times. In coverage, he can be too handsy and too aggressive at times.

2. Jordan Battle

6’1”, 209

Round: Late 2-3 

Grade: 64.6% (Great starter with the potential to be top tier)

Comp: Shades of Jimmie Ward

Summary: Coverage wise Battle can do it all: man, low zone, and deep zone. His run support was where I thought the most inconsistency came from. When he was playing rolled down in the box or in a nickel spot, I thought he was better in run support. When he was the deep safety or even in a two high look, I could see the hesitation in him to come down hill or be as aggressive in run support at times. He flashes the aggressiveness and what he’s capable of, so it’s not a matter of if he can do it, but how he can be more consistent. He is also pretty good at getting off blocks. Battle is capable of big things, but needs to find it in him to be more consistent. Battle has three spot versatility at FS, SS, and NB. I think the team that drafts him is going to be very happy and find ways to utilize him all over the field. I think Battle would be best suited as a safety in base packages while coming down to the nickel spot in sub packages. I think you’ll get the most out of him in the box, near the line. 

3. Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson

5’8”, 178

Round: 2

Grade: 67.1% (Top tier starter with the potential to be an elite starter)

Comp: Duke Shelley

Summary: Hodges-Tomlinson is a perfect example of the old saying, “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog”. When you are seen as a mismatch you are obviously going to get challenged, but time and time again Tomlinson showed why you shouldn’t challenge him. Hodges-Tomlinson is a player who’s quick, twitchy, and makes plays. His skill set should translate nicely to an NFL nickel spot. He’s got great recovery speed to match with strong coverage skills. The biggest concern for him is going to be run support.

4. TaRiq Bracy

5’10”, 185

Round: 2

Grade: 66.3% (Higher end starter with the potential to be an elite starter)

Comp: Mike Hilton

Summary: It’s absolutely mind blowing that Bracy is projected as a 7th rounder/UDFA. Bracy is an absolute lockdown in the nickel spot. Bracy does have inside-outside versatility although the majority of his snaps came from the nickel spot. Bracy is not a big corner, but he has a ton of fight in him. On screens and run plays, Bracy flashes the ability to be aggressive at the point of attack, and is pretty good at shedding blocks. Bracy also likes to use his hands to his advantage while he is in coverage, but unlike other corners he doesn’t get too handsy, he’s pretty good at keeping his coverage clean and penalty free.

5. Antonio Johnson

6’2”, 198

Round: Mid/Late 2-3

Grade: 52.1% (Solid backup and role player as a rookie. Needs some developing but could be starter by end of year two)

Comp: Jalen Pitre

Summary: Johnson may be the most versatile player in this draft class. He can play free safety, strong safety, nickelback, inside linebacker, and they lined him up on the edge in their goal line package as well. Is he going to do all of that in the NFL? Based on what I’ve watched of his film, I wouldn’t. His ability to take on blockers and his tackling aren’t great; however, I do feel like he flashes the ability to do both at a pretty high level. Johnson is also definitely a stronger coverage prospect than he is a “run support” prospect. He looks pretty good in man, and I would argue that’s what comes naturally to him. The only thing is he doesn’t really press at all, and it makes me wonder if it is his choice or part of the scheme.

6. Clark Phillips

5’9”, 184

Round: 3-4

Grade: 59.2% (Borderline starter/high-end role player with potential to be a good starter)

Comp: Ugo Amadi with the turnover mindset of Trevon Diggs

Summary: Phillips is definitely a better zone corner than man corner, although his man isn’t horrible. Phillips rarely ever presses, he’s usually playing off or bailing, which I suspect is due to a fear of getting beat. Phillips is not a fast corner, and you can see the lack of speed at times on tape although his catchup speed isn’t bad. I know some people don’t care about combine testing, but Phillips did bench 18 reps which led CBs. I would like to see Phillips get a little aggressive and press his receiver at the line on release. I think that could add another element to his game.

7. Arquon Bush

6’, 187

Round: 6-PFA

Grade: 47.1% (Special teamer who needs time before he works his way into being a role player)

Comp: Mark Webb

Summary: Bush lacks top end speed and it shows on tape. He plays off probably 90-95% of the time, and I suspect it’s to protect himself from getting burnt. He gives receivers a pretty big cushion in coverage and it results in Bush giving up anything underneath which doesn’t play to any strength he has. He struggles to get off blocks and his tackling is spotty. In zone, his spatial awareness and vision can be spotty at times. There’s times where it seems like he doesn’t realize what’s going on around him. His eyes can be absolutely locked in the backfield at times. When he’s in coverage he can get super handsy and grabby, which is a huge concern for me.