5 safeties for Rams to watch at NFL combine
· Yahoo Sports
It’s hard to determine whether safety is going to be a need for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL draft this year. That’s because it hinges almost entirely on whether Kamren Curl re-signs with the team in free agency.
The incoming class of safety prospects is outstanding, starting at the top with Caleb Downs, a potential top-five pick.
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If the Rams do find themselves in the market for a rookie safety, there will be plenty of options throughout the draft. Here are five prospects they should watch at the combine on Friday.
Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs is the unquestioned No. 1 safety in the draft and though it's unlikely he'll make it to the Rams at No. 13, Los Angeles has to keep an eye on him. There could be an opportunity to trade up for him if he slips a little bit, and after seeing other top safeties slip (Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James), you never know what's going to happen.
He's a versatile defensive back who can play all over the secondary, and his presence would dramatically upgrade the Rams' defense.
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Thieneman is a rangy safety who can cover a lot of ground in the middle of the field as a post defender. That would make him a good replacement for Curl if he leaves in free agency, especially with his ability to drop down as an underneath defender taking away throws over the middle. Thieneman won't challenge Downs as the top safety and he'll be competing with Emmanuel McNiel-Warren to be the second guy off the board, but his coverage skills might make him a good fit in Los Angeles.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
McNeil-Warren was mocked to the Rams at No. 13 overall in Daniel Jeremiah's projection for NFL Network, a surprising development that early in the draft. But there's no way to ignore his potential at 6-foot-3 with above-average speed. He's best as a run defender in the middle of the defense, similar to the way Jaylen McCollough is when he's on the field.
His testing numbers will be ones to watch, given his length and size for a safety.
Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
Wheatley is another exciting safety, standing 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds. In fact, his pro comp is Kamren Curl, according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. He plays deep and in the box, using his speed to make plays over the top in coverage, while also helping in run support when aligned closer to the line of scrimmage. If the Rams lose Curl in free agency, Wheatley would be a natural replacement, given his similar skill set as a do-it-all safety – though he does need to improve as a tackler to get to Curl's level.
VJ Payne, Kansas State
Payne is the Rams' type of safety, being a former team captain with 42 games of starting experience in his college career, per Zierlein. He played 386 of his 722 snaps last season in the box, according to PFF, but he can also line up deep (176 snaps) or in the slot (123). The Rams love leaders and team captains at safety, even as late-round picks, and Payne could be the next in line.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL combine: 5 safeties for LA Rams to watch