Philadelphia Eagles Prospect Profile: Safety Nasir Adderley
As the 2019 NFL Draft inches closer, let’s take a look at Delaware safety Nasir Adderley and project how he fits with his hometown Philadelphia Eagles.
With Rodney McLeod set to play out the final year of his contract, and partner in crime, Malcolm Jenkins, already in his 30s the Philadelphia Eagles may be looking to add a safety to groom for the future in the 2019 NFL Draft: and that prospect that could fit that puzzle is 6-foot, 206 pound Philadelphia native Nasir Adderley.
A four-year starter at the University of Delaware, Adderley wasted no time proving he was a capable player. In his freshman year, Adderley started the entire season, racking up 51 tackles and lead the team in pass breakups with eight. The following season he would go on to snatch two interceptions with four pass breakups and 49 total tackles.
In his junior year, Adderley would really step up with 78 tackles, three pass breakups, and five interceptions, a team high. In 2018 as a senior he would lead the team in interceptions again grabbing four, as well as having a career-high 87 tackles. He showed some return work with five kickoffs for 149 yards.
More from Philadelphia Eagles
- 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
- Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
- 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
- Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
- Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles
Presently, Adderley is a projected second to third round pick and is said to have good size and length for a defensive back. However, has also been said that his film shows inconsistency over the years. The biggest inconsistency he seems to have is reading and recognizing coverage at safety, as well as his response.
Some scouts believe that Adderley’s best position may actually be cornerback because of his size, athletics, and ball skills to counter receivers. Others noticed that Adderley could benefit from better patience since he tends to over jump routes and hyper focus targets, which can get him in trouble with certain play designs and experienced quarterbacks that can look off defenders.
Adderley has also been criticized for taking poor angles when the ball goes wide and struggles reading the run. Another supposed weakness is his tackling form, as he seems to take more damage than he dishes out.
With the negatives out-of-the-way, Adderley has been praised for his lateral quickness, smooth hips and back pedal, and lack of a hitch or stop in his transitions.
Many scouts like the fact that he has experience at both safety and corner, and that he played steadily at both positions. Just like Jenkins, Adderley tends to wrap up at the legs and not allowing players to get away.
He also has shown an ability to force fumbles in run support and go up at the high point of a catch to rival receivers for the football. Continuing on his ball skills in the air, Adderley has a ball-hawking mentality with the closing speed and a springy launch needed to help him beat the receiver to the ball.
Adderley’s film provides some insight into the player. One standout play is a touchdown return where he trucks a defender showing that he can be a hard hitter. Another example of him being able to hit is on a red-zone play against North Dakota State where he lowers his shoulder into the receiver’s chest at just the right time to jar the ball loose and force an incompletion.
Furthermore, Adderley even showed his playmaking ability against the run when he ripped the ball out of LSU‘s running backs arms.
Although some scouts somehow believe that Adderley isn’t a hard hitter and can get too focused on one target, his tape shows that he can lay the down wood and is definitely a playmaker with a sixth sense for the ball.
NFL.com currently has Adderley as their seventh-ranked safety and project him to go on Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Next. Miles Sanders worth Philadelphia Eagles considering in 2019 NFL Draft. dark
If the Philadelphia Eagles decide to invest one of their two second-round picks, or even their third-round pick on Nasir Adderley, fans should initially expect to see him thrive in a special team role as well as competing for snaps at nickel safety when Jenkins moves up to play nickel or linebacker.