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Damon Webb, Safety | 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Ht: 5-10 6/8
Wt: 209
40: 4.62
Bench: 17
Overall Rank: No. 103
Position Rank: No. 12 Safety
STRENGTHS
• Tackling
• Run Defense From Deep in Field
• Range
• Athleticism
• Football Intelligence
WEAKNESSES
• Bites on Play Action
• Size
• Strength in the Box
• Recovery/Straight Line Speed
PROJECTIONS
One-Year Projection: Should slot in as a backup and role player, who can add a lot of value on special teams as a rookie with his angles and tackling ability. Has good Zone coverage ability, but needs time to develop as a safety (recent convert from CB) to iron out the inconsistencies reading play-action and staying deep as a centerfielder. He is excellent working forward against the run, providing a versatile last line of defense. Should not be asked to play the box, as he lacks the size and strength to hold up against OL against the run and looks less comfortable in underneath Zone coverage.
Three-Year Projection: A good starting safety that has the range to survive in single high coverages, provided he continues to develop, and should be an excellent run defender and tackler as a great last of line of defense.
SUMMARY
Converted from cornerback to safety while in college, and saw good growth and development from junior to senior year. Small build and frame all around, sturdy and strong for his size, but is smaller height and weight wise than average. Very good athletic ability, with excellent lateral quickness, very good acceleration and balance, good change of direction and average speed.
Good Deep Zone coverage ability, and his recent conversion to safety bodes well for ironing out inconsistencies and further development. Hits his landmarks well, flashed very good range on the back end to read QB’s eyes and break laterally on the ball, which would result in an interception or PBU, when he covered to the numbers from centerfield. Good in Man coverage, with the lateral quickness to mirror well and stay in phase through the break, while staying within a step of receivers across and down the field, looked smooth driving and react from Off Man coverage.
IDs running lanes very well and looks to fill with aggressive nature and high motor, both from deep and when aligned in the slot. Is a rare tackler in space and traffic, a huge point of development from his junior year tape, and shows great ability to break down, drop his hips, and mirror ball carriers with his athletic ability, while subsequently wrapping up and dropping the offensive player, with great form and very good play strength.
Overall, Webb is a diverse, tough, smart and well-rounded free safety prospect who will make his living on the back end and coming forward against the run. Excellent tackler in space and traffic, takes great angles to the ball and shows very good strength and form on his tackles. He’s still raw in some areas (play-action as a deep safety, feel in Underneath Zones, press coverage) as a recent convert to the position, but his work ethic on field and development from 2016 bode well to improvements made at the NFL level.
SCHEME FIT
Free safety that should not play in the box. Has the experience to play in single or 2-high dominant schemes, but as a single safety that should ideally not be rotated into the box in a linebacker/hybrid type role.
Has experience playing nickel corner as well, and has good Man coverage ability to survive there, while being able to match up well with tight ends in Man coverage.
Overall 2018 NFL Grade: 6.99
9.00 Dominant Player. All-Pro Traits. Should develop into the best at his position
8.99-8.50 Consistent Pro Bowl Player. Gameplan changer. Very few flaws if any.
8.49-8.00 Will be very good player. Rookie Starter. Should have Pro Bowl physical traits.
7.99 Will be very good player. Probable Rookie Starter. May or may not have Pro Bowl physical traits.
7.75 Unique potential. Pro Bowl traits who needs critical technical development and consistency.
7.50-7.00 Can be a good starter you can win with. Should compete for a role/starting position. May be immediate contributor.
6.99-6.50 Functional starter in first 3 years who you should win with. No fatal flaws. Development needed.
6.49-6.00 Flash Starter Tools. Quality role player and/or Good ST. Emergency Starter
5.99-5.50 Quality role player and contributor for scheme specific teams.
5.49-5.00 Draftable player with intriguing physical tools or a functional role player to strengthen the 53.
4.99-4.50 Priority free agent. Has a couple tools that you want to work with.
4.49-4.00 Undrafted Free agent. Will go on the 90 man roster somewhere.
3.99-3.50 Invite to rookie mini camp. At least one intriguing quality to see live.
3.49-3.00 Off radar due to injury, size, position projection, etc. May be successful in CFL/AFL/etc.
Classic tweener. I thought Webb was going to OSU’s next great CB after seeing him his freshman year. However, his lack of speed ultimately required he play safety…thing is, he really doesn’t have the size of an NFL safety (and his speed will be very average for an NFL safety). Too bad they couldn’t get that speed down into the low 4.5s