Big Board ranking: #49
Positional ranking: #4
Overview
Position: S
College: LSU
Class: Junior
Age: 21
Measurables
Height: 6’2 1/2”
Weight: 213 lbs.
Arm length: 30 3/8”
Hand size: 9 1/8”
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: N/A
Vertical jump: N/A
Broad jump: N/A
Bench press: N/A
3-cone drill: N/A
Short shuttle: N/A
Strengths
Versatile free safety. Intelligent and confident. Prototypical overall size and quality range. Good instincts in coverage. Reads the quarterback’s eyes as a centerfielder. Tracks the ball well in the air. Uses length to breakup passes. Quick breaking on the ball. Will undercut routes. Plus ball skills and production. Can deliver a big hit to break up a pass if given an opportunity. Has the athletic profile and size to cover tight ends or be a dime linebacker. Comfortable lining up in the slot or out wide. Very good in underneath zone coverage. Excellent pursuit. Great timing and effectiveness as a blitzer off the edge. Size should allow for improvement as a tackler. Made key plays in the national championship.
Weaknesses
Very inconsistent tackler. Too often dives at opponent’s ankles and misses. Sometimes has poor run fits from the backend. Unreliable diving tackles may lead to injury. Overall athleticism might be average against NFL athletes.
NFL comparison
Harrison Smith
Conclusion
Overall, Delpit is an intelligent safety with excellent size for the position and the skillset to make an impact in a variety of ways at the next level—especially if he can improve as a tackler. I would feel better off targeting him as a Day 2 prospect in a strong safety class, but Delpit has the potential to be a difference-maker similar to Harrison Smith as a big, multi-purpose free safety.
It’s curious how much Delpit’s stock fell this year.
Reminds me of Minkah.
Except not good enough in coverage.
Hopefully Niners can get him.
Would be a good spot.
Harrison Smith would be a great ceiling.