NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Backs

Safety usually isn’t a position that gets first round consideration. It takes a fairly special player, like Earl Thomas, to get that first first round grade, and I just don’t see one of those in this draft. Maybe Mark Barron sneaks in at the end of round 1, but that isn’t a given. There’s 2-3 players who might go in round 2, but the real value is in the later rounds.

November 19, 2011; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (15) during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

The Seahawks really don’t need a safety. Sure, you can always use some more depth, since Atari Bigby didn’t return, but it’s also true that the Seahawks have the best duo of safeties in the league and both are just finishing up their 2nd year.

If the Seahawks draft a safety, and I don’t expect them to, my guess would be on the selecting Kelcie McCray out of Arkansas St. in the 7th round. As a SS, he’s not a hard hitter like Chancellor, but he’s got the size and speed the Seahawks like. He’ll be versatile enough to backup both safety spots, as well and contribute as a special teams player.

As for CB, this is one of the deeper CB drafts in recent memory. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see 5 players drafted in the first round. At the same time, there are serious character concerns with Kirkpatrick and Jenkins, and both could fall deep into round 2.

The depth carries down through the entire draft, so expect to see a lot of corners coming off the board on all three draft days.

As for targets by Seattle, Alfonzo Dennard out of South Carolina would be an excellent fit in round 2. He’d be an instant upgrade, and gives Seattle someone who can cover the faster receivers that tend to victimize Brandon Browner.

After that I don’t see a great fit for Seattle’s defense until the later rounds. Boston College’s Donnie Fletcher and Montana’s Trumaine Johnson are names to keep in mind later in the draft.