Ron Hiatt's 2021 Safety Prospect Rankings

By: Ron Hiatt

This is an early first look at the 2021 NFL Draft. I will rank the Safeties and break them up into Free and Strong according to how I see them. I am sure my rankings will change several times as the season goes on and it gets closer to the draft. I will give a brief skill set review of what they do well and then I will give who I think the Dolphins should target in the draft for the Safety position.
 
Free Safety
#1 Paris Ford - Pittsburgh 6’0 190lbs
Ford is a smart physical player with a versatile skill set. Ford is a good tackler and is a tone setting hitter. Ford has + ball skills with good speed, instincts, and range to cover a lot of ground.

#2 Jevon Holland - Oregon 6’1 200lbs
Holland is a converted corner moved to safety allowing him to play various positions like Slot and has added value as a Returner. Holland is a good tackler with great speed, ++ ball skills, and instincts to fly around and is always around the ball.
 
#3 Richie Grant - UCF 6’0 194lbs
Grant tackles well in the open field, + ball skills, and a turnover creating machine. Versatile in coverage with returner value.
 
#4 Andre Cisco - Syracuse 6’0 209lb
Cisco is a tone setting hitter, decent tackler with ++ ball skills and great instincts. Cisco is always around the ball causing turnovers
 
#5 Caden Sterns - Texas 6’0 207lbs
Sterns is a good tackler with good ball skills and versatile in coverage. Sterns is a smart player with good instincts.
 
If I were the GM of the Dolphins, I will target Paris Ford of Pitt with one of my 2nd round picks. Ford fits what Flores and Boyer are building here in Miami on the defense. He is athletic, smart, is versatile in where he can be used. Ford’s versatility, Leadership, and football IQ are a perfect fit. Ford with this coaching staff Flores has assembled on defense sky is the limit.
 
Strong Safety
#1 Hamsah Nasirildeen - FSU 6’4 220lbs
Nasirildeen is a big hitter, good tackler with ball skills and rare physical size and athletic traits. Hamsah is interchangeable in multiple positions slot, deep, or in the box. A freak play-maker can blitz, cover, rakes the ball while tackling with great instincts.

#2 Richard LeCounte III - Georgia 5’11 190lbs
LeCounte is a hard-hitting tackler who can cover and is an extension of the coaches on the field. Smart player with ball skills has good instincts and is always around the ball.
 
#3 Kolby Harvell-Peel - Oklahoma St 6’0 210lbs
Harvell-Peel is a form tackler with OK ball skills. Heads up solid player with good instincts in the right system.
 
#4 Trevon Moehrig - TCU 6’1 208lbs
Moehrig is a decent tackler with OK ball skills. Solid heads up player with OK instincts and good range.
 
#5 Talanoa Hufanga - USC 6’1 215lbs
Hufanga is a missile big hitter and sure tackler. Excels close to the line of scrimmage OK in coverage.
 
I would also target Hamsah Nasirildeen to complete the rebuild of the Dolphins secondary. Nasirildeen has barely scratched the surface of his raw talent and would land in the best spot for him and the Dolphins. Ford and Nasirildeen are interchangeable Safeties that can set a tone and are game changers. Injuries occur salaries soar, and depth has plagued the Dolphins for decades and these two selections fix that issue at the Safety position.
 
Overall Big Board Safety Rank
#1 Paris Ford                        FS
#2 Hamsah Nasirildeen        SS
#3 Jevon Holland                  FS
#4 Richie Grant                    FS
#5 Richard LeCounte III       SS
#6 Andre Cisco                     FS
#7 Caden Sterns                   FS
#8 Kolby Harvell-Peel          SS
#9 Trevon Moehrig               SS
#10 Talanoa Hufanga           SS