2026 Free Agency and Draft: Safety

[MaroonBells]

I’m little surprised you’re that enamored with McDonald. You’re typically non committal on the big fattys.

Ha, I wouldn't say enamored at all. I'm not enamored with ANY of these DTs...and it's damned frustrating. I do think McDonald is a safe pick though in the late 1st. If you want to take a 2-down player there. 

So....the fatty. Brian Flores has had 8 or 9 opportunities to take one since he came onboard. He has favored the smaller penetrators over the bigger anchors every time. My assumption has been that he hates the 2-down only players who can only do one thing before they get gassed and need to be replaced. He obviously values versatility, guys who can maybe hold their own at nose, but who can also move out and play 5T, abetting his use of disguises. It's certainly unconventional to see a 3-4 defense that doesn't use a traditional two-gapping nose tackle. But who am I to argue with success? If you can call it that...since our run defense wasn't very good last year. 

But who knows what's really true? We've been hearing reports about KAM not collaborating with the coaching staff. Maybe Flo wanted a nose and was spurned by the rogue GM. Seems ridiculous, but who knows. 

And then you have this class. In a typical draft, the 5T and 3T types outnumber the 0-1T types five to one. This draft is the opposite. I've never seen a class with this many DLs who fit the size profile of the nose tackle. And we have shown a bit of interest in a few. Makes me think this could be the year Flo finally takes one.

[JustInTime]

[MaroonBells]

Day three safety no one is talking about....

Dalton Johnson, Arizona (5-11, 192, 4.45)
Said one scout: “He’s been on the steady rise for about the last two years. He’s Day 2 to early Day 3. He has the ability to move out and play big nickel. He’s tough enough and he’s got range, and he’s smart enough to get everybody lined up. Long-term, I’m not sure I’d go with the kid from Toledo (McNeil-Warren) over him.”

[JustInTime]

Day three safety no one is talking about....

Dalton Johnson, Arizona (5-11, 192, 4.45)
Said one scout: “He’s been on the steady rise for about the last two years. He’s Day 2 to early Day 3. He has the ability to move out and play big nickel. He’s tough enough and he’s got range, and he’s smart enough to get everybody lined up. Long-term, I’m not sure I’d go with the kid from Toledo (McNeil-Warren) over him.”

Swing a dead cat and you’ll hit a safety prospect worth considering.

[MAD GAINZ]

Day three safety no one is talking about....

Dalton Johnson, Arizona (5-11, 192, 4.45)
Said one scout: “He’s been on the steady rise for about the last two years. He’s Day 2 to early Day 3. He has the ability to move out and play big nickel. He’s tough enough and he’s got range, and he’s smart enough to get everybody lined up. Long-term, I’m not sure I’d go with the kid from Toledo (McNeil-Warren) over him.”

Sounds a lot like Metellus who was underrated and went early Day 3.

I like EMW, but he looks more like a box safety than a guy who can be an asset in stopping the run but also cover deep.  I just get Lewis Cine vibes...

[MaroonBells]

Swing a dead cat and you’ll hit a safety prospect worth considering.