Burnett, Owusu-Ansah or Kam Chancellor Robert Johnson of Utah in 3-4

Burnett

03/21/2010 - TOP RATED NFL DRAFT SCOUT SAFETIES: *Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech, 6-2, 209, 2-3: He had a coming-out party as a sophomore in 2008, when his seven interceptions tied for No. 1 in the nation, and he led his team with 93 tackles while earning All-America buzz. His production wasn't as impressive last season (85 tackles and four interceptions), but he decided it was time to turn pro anyway. He does just about everything well, with excellent awareness and reaction in man and zone coverage, and he can be intimidating as a hitter. His first career touchdown came against Matthew Stafford. Burnett was unable to run at the combine because of a pulled hamstring, but he passed the eyeball test for speed and strength in games. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com/CBS Sports/USA TODAY

His 2009 production (85 tackles, 48 solos and four interceptions) was solid, and the playmaking Burnett proved that his sophomore season was no fluke. His 14 career interceptions rank second in Georgia Tech history.

Blessed with protoytpical size, Burnett's final grade might be determined by his time in the 40-yard dash. NFL teams have plenty of options on draft day at safety, considering the influx of underclassmen, but don't expect them to wait long to nab a natural playmaker like Burnett. A top-75 grade and quick ascension into an NFL lineup appears likely.


Chancellor

03/25/2010 - PRO DAY RESULTS: Scouts came out in droves to check out Virginia Tech Pro Day, with representatives from 25 teams in attendance in Blacksburg, Va., on March 18. FS Kam Chancellor (6-3, 228) ran the 40 in 4.59 and 4.60, had a 31 1/2-inch vertical jump, and stood on his combine numbers on the broad jump, short shuttle and three-cone drill. He didn't do the bench press. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com

Chancellor is a versatile athlete who came to Virginia Tech as a quarterback and has since seen playing time at cornerback, rover and free safety. Chancellor's rare combination of size and athleticism earned him playing time in 13 games as a true freshman and a combined 28 starts as a sophomore and junior.

Still an ascending athlete, Chancellor made the transition from rover (similar to strong safety) to free safety as a junior and struggled at times with the move. He was more consistent in his second season at the position, but lacks the range and ball-skills (six interceptions in 54 career games) teams want deep.

In the NFL, Chancellor will likely move back to strong safety and thereby closer to the line of scrimmage where his size and heavy hitting (208 career tackles) could result in more big plays.




Johnson



5 PLAYERS MOVING UP AS DRAFT APPROACHES: FS Robert Johnson, Utah: Despite not getting invited to the Combine, Johnson is one of the fastest rising names in the draft. He measured in heavier than scouts expected at his Pro Day (6-2, 203 pounds) and turned in blazing times in the short shuttle and 3-cone drills. In fact, his 4.06 second short shuttle and 6.56 second 3-cone times were faster than those recorded by any safety in Indianapolis. A natural ballhawk with 13 interceptions over the past three seasons, Johnson has visited or been privately worked out by a half-dozen teams. - Rob Rang, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com


Owusu-Ansah

With eight interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2008, teams stayed away from Owusu-Ansah last fall. His 27 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups were good enough for first-team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-West and second-team AP Little All-American honors. He was also all-conference as a return specialist. Owusu-Ansah returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns in '09. In the previous two seasons, he had averaged 10.7 yards on 48 punt returns and 24.8 yards on 33 kickoff returns -- returning one punt and one kickoff for TDs in the 2007 season.

Scouts note his size, speed and hands on the corner and noticed his ability to play through a shoulder injury this fall (which kept him out of postseason all-star games) and his versatility. Owusu-Ansah lined up at safety quite often to take advantage of his centerfielder skills and could be used there in the NFL. Whether teams view him as a cornerback or safety, they'll value his skills. Defensive backs with size, speed, hands and return skills aren't easy to find.

easy BURNETT

A lot of what I have read on Jones says he is better off as a SS and does not project well to FS in a 34 defense.

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Owusu-Ansah ran a 4.3 and 20 plus reps with a torn labrum!

University defensive back Akwasi Owusu-Ansah was allowed to take part in Ohio State’s pro day on Friday and stole the show. The Division II prospect more than showed he belonged with the big boys. He was the big boy on this day. The 6-foot, 207-pound Owusu-Ansah recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time among those participating in the school’s workout. Teams in attendance clocked him between a 4.34 and 4.36 seconds on field turf. He also ran an impressive 4.05 in the 20-yard shuttle. Owusu-Ansah stood on all his other numbers from the Scouting Combine last month. If those numbers weren’t enough to prove he belongs, Owusu-Ansah did something even more incredible. He pumped out 21 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press despite a torn labrum in his shoulder.

What if we take Earl Thomas at #12?

Earl Thomas at #12?

I think you also have to look at some of the bigger corners with questionable corner speed. There could be some FS candidates there, too.

I rather have someone who's been in the position rather than a rookie learning FS

DaytonaDolfan13 Wrote:
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> I rather have someone who's been in the position
> rather than a rookie learning FS


Jairus Byrd did pretty well in his conversion from CB to FS as as rookie. And Eric Berry has played SS his whole college career, and I wouldn't mind trying him at FS. And we have worked out Chris Cook, Myron Lewis, and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, all of whom can be projected to FS. College teams don't play NFL style offenses or defenses. Many, many rookies have to learn new positions and/or responsibilities. Almost no college teams play a 3-4. So, just about any defensive player we take is going to be learning on the job.