NFL Draft 2019 scouting report: Nasir Adderley is the best safety in this draft

Measurables

6’0”, 206 lbs

40-yard dash: 4.54 (Pro Day w/ injury)

Bench Press: 19 reps

Vertical Jump: 39 inches

Note: Had hamstring injury

Stats

2016: 51 tackles, 8 passes defended

2017: 49 tackles, 6 passes defended, 2 interceptions

2018: 78 tackles, 8 passes defended, 5 interceptions

2019: 48 tackles, 9 passes defended, 3 interceptions

Awards

2016: Third-team All-CAA

2017: All-CAA First Team

2018: All-CAA First Team

Combine and Senior Bowl invite

Strengths

Nice speed and agility allowing him to make plays sideline to sideline, with the strength and size to complete the play. Football IQ and game sense both above average, gives him a jump on plays that he utilizes well. Attacks every play, both in pass coverage and run support. Keeps eyes on the quarterback consistently. Solid tackler, can make the tough open-field tackles. Intelligence to read the play and determine optimal choice, athleticism to make it happen more often than not.

Weakness

Truthfully, there aren’t many. The obvious one is the level of competition. Playing at Delaware Adderley was not necessarily playing against the cream of the crop. Scouts point out that he played against very few NFL-caliber players. Other knock is a lack of man coverage from the safety position as he played a huge majority of his snaps in single high sets after switching from corner to safety in his junior year.

Verdict

In my opinion, Adderley is the top safety option in this class. He could benefit from some coaching at the next level, especially in play recognition as he wasn’t facing the best or most diverse offenses in college. Adderley’s experience is paramount, teams will love his ability to play cornerback and safety.

Pro Comparison

Earl Thomas

Fit with Raiders

Jon Gruden got a first hand look at Adderley while he coached him at the Senior Bowl, and he reportedly loved him. It is no surprise that Oakland needs help in the secondary (at both positions), and Adderley has experience at both. He would likely supplant any of the team’s options as a starter, or at the very least would push them all for snaps. Adderley’s motor is that of a ‘Gruden Grinder’ and he will be an option with either the late first picks ( 24 and 27) or the second round pick (35).

Oakland would be smart to snag Adderley whenever possible. With the safety misses in previous drafts (Obi Melifonwu, Shalom Luani, Karl Joseph) the Raiders are still searching for a long-term solution. Adderley can be that player with potential to be the next star safety in the NFL.