There was a time during the 2015 season when the New England Patriots had 10 safeties on their roster. The Patriots currently have just four players at the position. It might be time to stock up.
The Patriots don’t need a starter or even a primary backup at the position, but they could afford to select a versatile player who can play free and strong safety and help on special teams.
The NFL Scouting Combine ended Monday, so we now have a better sense of which prospects the Patriots could select based on the team’s draft trends and the players’ measurables. The Patriots value speed and explosion over size at safety, so here are the potential fits.
Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah
6-foot-2, 217 pounds
Projected round: 2-3
Killebrew is the size of a small linebacker and still ran a 6.93-second three-cone and 4.18-second short shuttle with a 38-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. His 4.65-second 40-yard dash isn’t ideal, but he weighs nearly 220 pounds.
Killebrew led his team with 132 tackles in 2015 and could serve as a safety/weak-side linebacker hybrid in the NFL.
Sean Davis, Maryland
6-foot-1, 201 pounds
Projected round: 3
Davis has ideal athleticism for a Patriots safety or cornerback, and he played both positions at Maryland.
Davis ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 6.64-second three-cone, 3.97-second short shuttle, 37.5-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump. He checks every box as a Patriots safety other than weight.
Davis had 306 tackles, 2.5 sacks and five interceptions in his final three seasons with the Terrapins.
Tyvis Powell, Ohio State
6-foot-3, 211 pounds
Projected round: 5
Powell has impressive length for a defensive back with athleticism to match. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 10-foot broad jump, 7.03-second three-cone and 4.25-second short shuttle.
Powell intercepted eight passes in three seasons with the Buckeyes.
Justin Simmons, Boston College
6-foot-2, 202 pounds
Projected round: 6
Simmons didn’t impress with his 4.61-second 40-yard dash, but he aced the rest of the combine with a 6.58-second three-cone, 3.85-second short shuttle, 40-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump.
Simmons had five interceptions as a senior with the Eagles.
Derrick Kindred, TCU
5-foot-10, 207 pounds
Projected round: 7
Kindred is slightly short for a prospective Patriots safety, but his speed, agility and explosion fit the Patriots’ standards.
Kindred had 229 tackles and eight interceptions in four seasons at TCU.
Check out how every tight end at the combine fared against the Patriots’ typical standards.
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Thumbnail photo via Mike Carter/USA TODAY Sports Images
