:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53822287/usa_today_9664152.0.jpg)
Mike Mayock, the guru of the NFL Draft on NFL Network has released his newest top five rankings at every position.
We will run through a number of them, but to start with, let’s take a look at the safeties, as this seems to be one of the positions the Arizona Cardinals most need to address.
Safety
1. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
2. Jamal Adams, LSU
3. Malik Hooker, Ohio State
4. Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut
T-5. Marcus Williams, Utah
T-5. Marcus Maye, Florida
Rise: Peppers (3), Melifonwu (5), Williams (NR), Maye (NR)
Fall: Hooker (1) , Budda Baker, Washington (4, added to nickel)
When you look at this list, it is clearly a deep safety class, as many as four of these players could go in round one.
That is impressive.
Many believe that Adams and Hooker will be drafted in the top ten, which would be a complete deviation from how teams value safeties from the past.
It could also signal the fact that this class is more talented on the defensive side of the ball and that typically heavily invested positions, quarterback, cornerback and offensive tackle, are weaker this year.
I don’t think Peppers is a player the Cardinals would target at 13. He has some similarities to Tony Jefferson as a player who can do multiple things, but he is a bit more athletic.
Adams would be an intriguing fit, as he is a physical safety with the ability to fulfill multiple roles, something the Cardinals like in their safeties.
My two favorites safeties in this class are Hooker and Williams. Both are potential true centerfield type safeties, with the ability to play sideline-to-sideline in a single high defense.
The difference, Williams may be a player you can get at 45.
What are your thoughts on the top safety prospects per Mike Mayock?