NFL Draft 2020: Day 2 safeties who could fit in the Cleveland Browns’ secondary -- Film Review

Penn State v Minnesota

Defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Minnesota Golden Gophers could be a Day 2 selection that would help the Browns secondary.Getty Images

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On Wednesday, we highlighted the top four safety prospects the Browns could consider drafting with the No. 10 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the Browns have several other needs, especially at tackle. If the Browns go with a lineman on Day 1, then finding a safety on Day 2 should be a high priority for new GM Andrew Berry.

Therefore, let’s examine three other safeties who could spark the Browns’ consideration. As mentioned on Wednesday, this position group is deep and diverse. Some are better at run-stopping while others are cover guys. Some can do both, but lack in other areas like ball skills or foot speed.

That is why it is important to highlight a few more players who the Browns could identify as contributors to their 2020 secondary. Let’s take a look at three who deserve consideration.

Antonie Winfield, Jr., 5-10, 205 pounds, Minnesota, redshirt sophomore

Nearly four years ago, Antonie Winfield Jr. almost quit football. A 2016 sexual assault allegation that named Winfield and 10 other players, rocked the Minnesota football team. He’s the son of standout Buckeye and 14-year NFL defensive back Antoine Winfield, who vowed Winfield Jr. would transfer, as he swore his son was innocent.

Eventually, a disciplinary panel cleared him of wrongdoing. With his name cleared, he rejoined the Gopher football team, only to have his next two seasons end due to injury.

Finally, healthy this past season, the playmaker who flashed signs of brilliance in 2017 and 2018 started every game of the 2019-20 season and helped Minnesota finish No. 10. Winfield led the Gophers with 88 tackles and seven interceptions and was named an unanimous All-American and Big 10 defensive back of the year.

Winfield is the type of player who isn’t going to impress with his measurables. He is 5-10 (at best), though his playing weight of 205 pounds seems believable. He’s a thick athlete who built an impressive weight room reputation at Minnesota.

At his pro day, Winfield will test fine. But when watching his tape, Winfield hardly ever fails the eye test. He seems to have an innate ability to put himself near the football. That can probably be attributed to his dedication to film study. He breaks on the ball as well as any safety in his class. Plus, having a longtime NFL father means he likely already knows what it takes to be a professional athlete.

Below are a few plays that highlight why Winfield should garner Day 2 draft consideration.

Winfield was one of the year’s most entertaining players. The Gophers used him mostly in zone coverage as a high safety -- specifically in Cover 2 or quarters looks -- as shown on the first play above. His natural ball skills attract him to the football and he completes a catch that would challenge most NFL defensive backs.

Minnesota also used him as a returner. On the next play, Winfield houses a punt and though he would’ve likely been taken down by better NFL tacklers, this effort highlights his toughness. He’s a difficult ball carrier to bring down and that extra mass will suit him well against bigger tight ends and receivers.

He’ll struggle against taller pass-catchers. But as he shows on the last play, a game-winning interception, he knows how to attack the ball and outleap large targets.

Kyle Dugger, 6-2, 220 pounds, Lenoir Rhyne, senior

If upon reading “Lenior Rhyne” next to an NFL prospect’s name triggers a response to Google the university, it’s understandable. That’s because safety Kyle Dugger’s soon-to-be alma mater is an NCAA Division II school, located in North Carolina.

Dugger made a name for himself terrorizing the South Atlantic Conference for four years while earning All-American status in both his junior and senior seasons. Dugger’s coach at Lenior Rhyne described him as the type of player who only comes around once every 15 years.

Though his senior season was cut short due to injury, Dugger competed at the Senior Bowl a few weeks ago. That opportunity was a dream come true for a young man who didn’t receive one Division I offer out of high school.

When he decided on Lenior Rhyne, he admitted his NFL hopes were a long shot. But because of his natural athletic gifts, work ethic and timing, he will likely have his dream realized.

What makes Dugger an intriguing prospect outside of his small-school background is the options he’ll present to a defensive coordinator. At 6-2, 220 pounds, he’s much larger than most at this position and fits in with the hybrid linebackers/safeties defenses need now to contain innovative offensive motions, checks and sub packaging.

Duggers isn’t the touted prospect that Clemson’s Simmons will be, but there is little question he projects as an every-down defender. Such versatility is coveted.

It isn’t difficult finding clips of Dugger despite his games never appearing on a major network. Let’s check out a few plays which highlight why Dugger has made a name for himself since the Senior Bowl.

Watching clips of Dugger is like consuming a Zion Williamson high school highlight tape. Dugger makes his competition appear unworthy of sharing the field with him. He stands out simply because he is bigger, stronger and better than his opponents.

Of course, if he’s worth a Round 2 or 3 NFL selection, then he should dominate Division II football. That is exactly what makes his stock so interesting to follow. There is little reason to break down his film. Instead, watch and appreciate his dominance.

Dugger then impressed at the Senior Bowl. That was his first meaningful step. Next will be his individual workouts and interviews. If he does well there then eventually an NFL defensive coordinator will roll the dice on his raw athletic gifts.

Jaylon Redd

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Jaylon Redd runs with the ball as Utah Utes defensive back Terrell Burgess attempts to stop him during the first half of the Pac-12 Championship Game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019.Serena Morones

Terrell Burgess, 6-0, 198 pounds, Utah, senior

Projecting Burgess at the next level is difficult for several reasons. First, he only started one year at Utah. Though he saw time on special teams and saw backup duty before this season, Burgess was stuck for three years behind Marquise Blair, a second-round pick by Seattle last year.

Finally a starter in 2019, Burgess capitalized by allowing only 190 yards on 26 completions on 40 targets for a passer rating of 65.6 against. Those are impressive numbers for a safety. Basically, teams decided not to throw at him and when they did, it usually went incomplete or for a short gain. He was third on the team in tackles with 81, forced two fumbles and generated one interception.

Turnovers can be a deceiving stat. Sure, more interceptions is usually better, but a player shouldn’t be criticized for being a lockdown defender. The reason teams didn’t throw his way was because of his elite man-to-man skills. He has light feet and smooth hips which allows him to keep pace and flip with the best slot, tight end or wide receivers.

But that also adds to what makes him difficult to evaluate. Not only does he only have a one-season sample size, but few tested him. Also, due to his smaller build, he may project more as a high-end nickel corner at the next level.

Regardless, he might be the best man coverage safety available, which is likely going to get his name called on Day 2. Look at a few examples while keeping in mind that when a guy isn’t around the ball much, it is difficult to find helpful clips.

On the first play, Burgess displays his sticky man-coverage skills. Facing a slot receiver, he doesn’t get beat outside at the snap. He cuts the inside off and tracks him across the seams.

When Burgess flips his hips, the ball is waiting for him. An interception would’ve completed this play but a sign of a great cover guy is when it appears he knows the exact route a receiver is running. That is what Burgess did here.

The next few plays show his limited abilities as a run stopper. His natural quickness and awareness tend to put him near the ball often, but he isn’t big enough and doesn’t come with any real power to stop runners.

Again, though there are limited examples of him defending passes (Burgess had only five pass breakups this season), there is a good chance he’ll impress at the combine and his pro day in one-on-one coverage drills.

What’s next

Next week, we’ll examine the top linebacker prospects who could help the Browns in 2020.


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