LA Rams Top 5 positional rankings: Defense edition

Safety

1.- Xavier McKinney (Alabama): One of my most underrated players in this class, he has no received the hype that I expected, but I hope somebody will see what I did. He is a football player with all of its letters. Xavier can play multiple positions and do it well, really well. Upfront, back dow, or with a player assignation, Xavier will flash his fast mental processing and a rather quick closing ability. Uses his size better than most, and can command guarding even the best tight end prospect in the nation.

2.- Grant Delpit (LSU): Fluid, smooth, and fast. An athletic monster. Delpit will play better down the field, closing into plays, but can do man coverage as well. I think his only downside might be that his tackling felt poorer as he recovered from a collarbone injury, but, might be just a mental, workable issue. He will be a ball-hawking machine, he reads the opposing routes with ease, that alone allows him to close-in faster.

3.- Antoine Winfield Jr. (Minnesota): If you are looking for a tall one, look elsewhere, but, if you like a feisty, strong, and competitive player that can flat out ball, you are in for a treat. Winfield might not be the most athletic or fast player, but might have the highest motor, and what he lacks on speed, makes it up with assertive play recognition, good instincts and tackling. A sneaky player that could elevate any defense versatility.

4.- Jeremy Chinn (Southern Illinois): His size is intriguing. While he is 6’3″, Chinn is a lot more athletic than what you can think. His pursuit and tackling are just superb but can be found lost in zone coverage, so he might be better covering elite tight ends or slot receivers. Still, if he learns to play the back of the field better, he will be one of the best in the league. Intriguing and good player with development space.

5.- Kyle Dugger (Lenoir-Rhyne): Many will push him down because he played Division II football, but I would be ecstatic if he fell into my lap. He just pops off the screen. Elite size and speed, and a pure stat hoarder. Physical and strong that will make you think twice if you want to run through him or just go down. For me it’s a joy to watching him play, his tackling technique is off the charts. I think he would best translate as a strong safety with inside the box zone designations, as well as inside man covering. Yes, he might sit out on defense a lot the first year, as his feel should be way different, but watch him play special teams too, and get excited, because he is one heck of a player.