NFL draft preview: safeties

Spotlight on ... Kenny Phillips, Miami

Phillips was born to be a star. He started as a freshman in high school, and he made 13 tackles--and a game-ending interception in the third overtime--in his second college game at Miami. He's the next great safety from _ e U, ready to follow in the footsteps of Ed Reed, Sean Taylor and Brandon Meriweather.

1. Aside from potential first-rounders Kenny Phillips and DaJuan Morgan, are there any safeties ready to make an impact?
There are more teams with needs at the position than players ready to step in right away. There are strong athletes, but all have issues. Cal's Thomas DeCoud is fast but misses too many tackles. Tennessee's Jonathan Hefney is explosive but short (5-8) for a safety. Alabama's Simeon Castille is a good athlete but was a corner in college. And so on .

2. Are 'pro boxer' and 'return man' the ideal qualifications for an NFL safety?
You know about Notre Dame's professional pugilist, Tom Zbikowski. He's tough and has good speed, but he's a straight-line runner and a liability in pass coverage. Let's hope the TV cameras don't visit his house on the draft's first day.

3. Who is Tyrell Johnson, and why should I care?
Small school, big impact. Johnson was a tackling and turnover machine in Arkansas State's games against BCS foes Texas and Tennessee. Plus, he ran a 4.40 40 and put up 27 reps in the bench press at the Combine, the most by any safety.

Top six safeties
1. Kenny Phillips, Miami, 6-2 1/4, 212, 4.49 (40 time). Grade: 8.0 2. DaJuan Morgan, N.C. State, 6-0 1/4, 203, 4.57. Grade: 8.0 3. Thomas DeCoud, Cal, 6-1 1/2, 204, 4.52. Grade: 6.9 4. Josh Barrett, Arizona State, 6-1 1/2, 224, 4.35. Grade: 6.5 5. Jonathan Hefney, Tennessee, 5-8, 190, 4.53. Grade: 6.0 6. Simeon Castille, Alabama, 6-0 1/4, 193, 4.58. Grade: 5.9

(sportingnews.com)