McShay On Safeties And Trading Up To No. 5

Earlier today, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay held a conference call, fielding questions about the combine and upcoming draft.

McShay was very impressed with Alabama safety Landon Collins, specifically pointing to his unique blend of size and speed.

“To me, there are some limitations to what he can do in man-to-man coverage, but he has really good range in deep zone coverage, he supports the run hard, and I think he has very good ball skills,” McShay said. “I know combine numbers are combine numbers, but it’s pretty impressive what he was able to do at his workouts. He ran a 4.53 at 6-0, 228. He’s almost a weak side linebacker in terms of size, and to run that speed and to have the workout he had is impressive.”

While Collins seems to be the consensus top safety on the board, Sheil noted earlier that he may not be a scheme fit because of the man coverage limitations McShay mentioned.

Meanwhile, McShay joins a growing number of analysts who aren’t too enthralled with the rest of the safety class.

“It’s not a very good safety class, there’s a pretty decent dropoff [after Collins],” he said. “In fact he’s the only safety I have in the first two rounds. One guy I really like is [Arizona State’s] Damarious Randall. There wasn’t a lot of information on him. I really liked his tape. At 5-10, 194 he could be a value pick at free safety in the third round.”

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes also stood out at his workout, running a 4.31 in the 40, but McShay still has him ranked behind Washington CB Marcus Peters, who ran a 4.53 and has had some off-field issues.

“I think he takes very well to coaching. You can tell he does a lot of the little things well,” McShay said of Waynes. “There is a little bit more tightness there than you would like to see at times comparing him to the elite cover corners.

“His tape got him as the second-best corner behind Marcus Peters, but Peters has some baggage and Waynes doesn’t.”

Finally, McShay offered some thoughts on the quarterbacks. UCLA’s Brett Hundley had a strong showing in Indianapolis, but there are still questions about him transitioning to the NFL.

“I love his size, he’s got adequate arm strength, he’s a good athlete and can extend plays,” McShay said. “But the inconsistencies with his accuracy and then the pocket presence, just feeling pressure and keeping his eyes downfield. He doesn’t have that natural feel, and it hasn’t developed the right way over the last few years.”

And of course there was Marcus Mariota discussion. McShay suggested Washington potentially trading out of the No. 5 spot with a team that covets Mariota.

“Nothing would shock me, especially when you got Philadelphia with Chip Kelly at 20,” he said. “I know it would have to be a monster move to move up 15 spots, but I wouldn’t rule anything out.”