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2017 NFL Combine roster: Safeties

By John Buhler

Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 NFL Draft class looks to be stacked with a ton of great safeties. Here are the safeties that will be heading to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine.

Indianapolis will be the center of the football world here soon. The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from Tuesday, Feb. 28 to Monday, Mar. 6. One of the last arrivals to the combine will be one of the most intriguing groups.

While the cornerbacks lack the star power at the top-end, this year’s crop of safeties do not. The 2017 NFL Draft class at safety is both deep and featuring potentially some of the best prospects coming out of college to play the position.

Here are the safeties that will be attending the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine.

  • Jamal Adams, LSU Tigers
  • Budda Baker, Washington Huskies
  • Jamal Carter, Miami Hurricanes
  • Justin Evans, Texas A&M Aggies
  • Rudy Ford, Auburn Tigers
  • Nate Gerry, Nebraska Cornhuskers
  • Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville Cardinals
  • Delano Hill, Michigan Wolverines
  • Malik Hooker, Ohio State Buckeyes
  • Eddie Jackson, Alabama Crimson Tide
  • Rayshawn Jenkins, Miami Hurricanes
  • Lorenzo Jerome, Saint Francis Red Flash
  • Jadar Johnson, Clemson Tigers
  • John Johnson, Boston College Eagles
  • Josh Jones, North Carolina State Wolfpack
  • Desmond King, Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Shalom Luani, Washington State Cougars
  • Marcus Mayes, Florida Gators
  • Obi Melifonwu, Connecticut Huskies
  • Montae Nicholson, Michigan State Spartans
  • Tedric Thompson, Colorado Buffaloes
  • Damarius Travis, Minnesota Golden Gophers
  • Michael Tyson, Cincinnati Bearcats
  • Marcus Williams, Utah Utes
  • Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

The two crown jewels of this safety class are LSU’s Jamal Adams and Ohio State’s Malik Hooker. Both are going in the first round without question. Adams is the safer of the two picks and will start right away in most NFL secondaries. Hooker is incredibly raw, but may end up being his generation’s version of Ed Reed.

There were a few safeties that had a great showing at the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile. Saint Francis’ Lorenzo Jerome was a dynamic ball hawk in the game, forcing three turnovers. He is surely going in the second round despite playing at a small school.

Iowa’s Desmond King played cornerback in college. While the former Jim Thorpe Award winner will have to land in the right scheme to succeed in the NFL, he looks to be a technician in the back-end at defensive back.

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Connecticut’s Obi Melifonwu can flat-out lay the hammer on a tackle. Not to say that he is this year’s Keanu Neal, but look for him to be an immediate impact player at the next level. The guy is fearless.

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