Editor’s note; This article previously published on our sister site, on April 4th, 2024.
Josh Proctor NFL Draft Overview
Weight: 199 pounds
Position: Safety
School: Ohio State
2024 NFL Draft: Josh Proctor Scouting Report
After six years with the Buckeyes, the former four-star recruit is off to the NFL. Josh Proctor was a highly-rated recruit in the 2018 class and backed up Jordan Fuller for two years before getting his shot in 2020. Over the course of his career, Proctor accounted for 112 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions, 14 pass breakups, a recovered fumble, and a touchdown against Maryland last year.
In six years, Proctor appeared in 53 games including the short seven-game season of 2020 and then battling injuries in 2021. Proctor was a leader of the Ohio State defense and often led the way with his hard-hitting play. His “welcome to college football” moment came on the final play of the 2019 Big Ten Championship where he delivered a massive hit on the Wisconsin quarterback at the end of a 34-21 victory.
Strengths
- Willing and able to come on a blitz
- Has a nastiness about his game that would make receivers avoid coming across the middle
- Can play both safety roles and nickel corner
- Keys in on runs well
- Solid footwork
- Has a nose for the ball
Weaknesses
- Not the fastest, could get burnt
- Eagerness to make the play results in over-running the ball carrier
- Drops easy interceptions
- Has been known to come in too high and miss the tackle
- Is one of the oldest prospects in the draft
NFL Player Comparison: A more athletic Vonn Bell
Projected Round: Fifth/Sixth Round
Best Fits: Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bottom Line on Josh Proctor
Proctor is an interesting case in this year’s draft. With every positive to go with his play, there are plenty of negatives. Proctor is a tone-setter on defense and is often more concerned with baptizing receivers than making the play on the ball itself. He has enough athleticism to go onto the field and do a good enough job but he is not expected to be a day-one impact player at the position in coverage.
NFL coaches will love that he was selected to the Senior Bowl and that he’s coming off of his best season with the Buckeyes. He has the intangibles to be a leader on any defense.
On the other side, Proctor struggled with hauling in interceptions. Despite the three turnovers and one touchdown, Proctor was prone to dropping even the easiest-looking interceptions. He may have a good nose for where the football is, but he has not been as reliable as other safety prospects at pulling in the interception.
As a safety, it will be surprising if Proctor ends up as a reliable option. On special teams, however, Proctor could end up as a very good gunner and could carve out his own niche.
