Packers’ Need at Safety Runs Into Scouting Combine Reality

The Green Bay Packers could have a massive hole at safety depending on NFL free agency. What did the top prospects look like at the Scouting Combine?

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Mar 4, 2023 6:39 PM EST

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – It might not a case of safety first for the Green Bay Packers but they almost certainly will be doing the safety dance early in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Steady veteran Adrian Amos, who has started every game in his four seasons with the team, is headed to free agency. Rudy Ford, who proved to be a big-time bargain signing at the end of training camp, and Dallin Leavitt, a standout on special teams, will be free agents, as well. And if that’s not enough, Darnell Savage got the fifth-year option triggered in April but was benched in November.

While the Packers also need an outside linebacker and the prospects put on a show at the Scouting Combine on Thursday, the safeties didn’t deliver an encore on Friday.

Alabama’s Brian Branch, the consensus top prospect at the position and a legitimate option for Green Bay with the 15th pick, ran his 40 in 4.58 seconds. His Relative Athletic Score, which combines his size (6-0, 190) and athletic numbers, was a mediocre 6.38.

Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson, who widely had been considered the No. 2 safety prospect, was bigger than Branch (6-2, 198) and faster than Branch (4.52 in the 40) but delivered poor results in the jumps (31 vertical, 9-10 broad). His RAS was an also-mediocre 6.67.

Illinois’ Sydney Brown is the one top prospect who tested like a top prospect. While he measured only 5-foot-9 3/4 – a number that could take him off Green Bay’s board – he weighed a sturdy 211 pounds and aced the workout with a 4.47 in the 40 and a 40.5-inch vertical jump. His RAS was an elite 9.47.

“When you watch Brown on tape, you notice a little bit of straight-line stiffness, but I didn’t see that in the on-field drills here in Indy. I thought Brown was clearly the best safety out there,” Mike Tannenbaum, the former Jets and Dolphins executive, wrote for The 33rd Team.

Here is a rundown of what one scout said was his personal top eight safeties before the Scouting Combine.

Alabama’s Brian Branch (6-0, 190; 4.58 40; 6.38 RAS): Branch is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the NFL and perhaps the best tackler, regardless of position. He had two interceptions and 14 tackles for losses in 2022.

He’s been compared to Minkah Fitzpatrick for his ability to play slot and safety. It’s a comparison he likes. “I love his game. The way he's able to play every position in the back end and able to do it at a high level, I think I've been able to do that my years at Alabama.”

Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson (6-2, 198; 452 40; 6.67 RAS): Johnson had 79 tackles, including 8.5 for losses, his only interception and a career-high five passes defensed in 2021. He broke up only one pass in 2022.

“Having a big nickel close to the line of scrimmage who can also help in the pass game is another big body close to the line of scrimmage to help in the run front,” he said at the Combine. “But also you have a good defensive player outside to help with pass game, as well.”

Illinois’ Sydney Brown (5-10, 211; 4.47 40; 9.47 RAS): Brown is coming off an All-American season in which he posted six interceptions and 13 passes defensed for the Illini. He backed up his film with a big-time workout.

“I’m a confident, versatile player,” he said at the Combine. “I can play in the box, have natural flow for the line games in front of me, whatever run concepts you're going to throw at me. I can play in the post, I can play deep half, I can play curl flat. Whatever you need I can do.”

Penn State’s Ji’Ayir Brown (5-11, 203; 4.65 40; 3.68 RAS): Brown earned the moniker “Takeaway King” with 10 interceptions during his final wo years. In 2022, he had four interceptions, two forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for losses.

He entered the Combine as the “top safety in the entire draft” in the eyes of NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah.

“Just getting turnovers in basketball, football, just always getting turnovers,” he said at the Combine. “Just being able to get the ball back to the team a lot just led to the name ‘Takeaway King.’” Can he keep that nickname with below-average testing numbers?

Georgia’s Christopher Smith (5-11, 192; 4.62 40; 2.61 RAS): Smith was a consensus first-team All-American and a finalist for the Nagurski Award, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player. He closed his career with back-to-back seasons of three interceptions, and he added five TFLs in 2022.

“He is a playmaker. He plays fast,” Jeremiah said before the Scouting Combine. “He has range from the middle of the field. He has no wasted movement. Again, plays with confidence. Quick to read and drive. He sits there flat-footed and then drives on the ball.”

Florida State’s Jammie Robinson (5-11, 191; 4.59 40; 3.74 RAS): Robinson led the Seminoles in tackles during each of his two seasons, including 99 stops as a senior, when he earned some All-American honors. However, his RAS is far below the typical NFL safety.

“When I watched Robinson at Florida State, he appeared athletic,” Rick Spielman, the former Minnesota Vikings general manager, wrote for The 33rd Team. “He’s another instinctive player who is more than willing in run support, but he’s small. I don’t think he plays slow, but that 4.59 will be a red flag for some teams.”

Spielman thought Smith and Robinson could falls into Day 3.

Alabama’s Jordan Battle (6-1, 209; 4.55 40; not enough other tests for RAS): Battle earned All-American honors follow each of his final two seasons. Of his six career interceptions, three were returned for touchdowns.

“When I get the ball in my hands, I just want to score,” he said at the Combine. “I didn't play running back since 10 years old. ... When I get the ball in my hands, I just like to showcase my skill with the ball. Getting in the end zone always is the goal.” He earned rave reviews from esteemed coach Nick Saban.

Boise State’s J.K. Skinner (6-4, 209; no workouts due to torn pectoral): Skinner suffered a torn pec during recent training. “NFL teams know he can run,” Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy wrote on Twitter. “He still goes on day two.” Skinner had four interceptions as a senior and 92 tackles as a junior.

The wild card: Cal’s Daniel Scott (6-1, 208; 4.45 40; 9.83 RAS). His RAS was No. 1 among the safeties. “His performance on Friday opened plenty of eyes,” Spielman wrote. “After an up-and-down Senior Bowl (that got better as the week went along), he was probably looking at Day 3 in the draft. After Friday, he might have snuck into Day 2.”

Scott was a two-year starter with back-to-back seasons of three interceptions.