Jalen Pitre NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6′-0″
Weight: 197 pounds
School: Baylor
Jalen Pitre 2022 NFL Draft Profile
After spending the entirety of his collegiate career at Baylor, safety Jalen Pitre is taking his talents to the next level in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pitre is coming off of the best season of his young career. As a redshirt senior, the safety/slot cornerback allowed just 35 receptions on 58 targets for 321 yards while recording two interceptions and not allowing a touchdown. Additionally, he added on another 18.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while playing close to the line.
Pitre initially joined the college football ranks as a three-star recruit, per 24/7 Sports. Pitre took a while to make an impact, redshirting through his sophomore year and getting injured after just 88 snaps in 2019. However, he finally broke out in 2020, allowing just 19 receptions on 31 targets for 155 yards and two interceptions.
Strengths
- Asked to do a lot in Baylor’s defense – requires strong football IQ;
- Versatility to line up in the slot, box, and near the line of scrimmage and perform well in each role;
- Fantastic anticipation and ability to read the quarterback;
- Doesn’t shy away from contract – one of the most willing tacklers in the class;
- Great short area quickness – should be able to hold his own against slot receivers;
- Takes great angles to the ball carrier;
- High-motor player that gives 100% on every snap – reportedly a great locker room guy.
Weaknesses
- Smaller than your typical safety – might have trouble bringing down bigger backs;
- Lacks elite top speed for deep safety role;
- Took a while to come into form;
- Can get beat by pure speed and faster receivers;
- Profiles better in zone than man;
- Will need to add muscle to reach NFL ceiling.
NFL Comparison: Mike Edwards
Teams With Need At Position: Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles
Projection: Late 1st/Early 2nd Round
Bottom Line on Jalen Pitre
Jalen Pitre was born to play football – that much is obvious from the first second you turn on the tape. The Baylor product clearly gives his all on every single snap, and all reports across the league suggest that Pitre’s love of football extends off the field to his teammates. Of course, the best attitude in the world won’t mean anything if the guy can’t play, but Pitre has the ideal combination of skill and heart to succeed at the next level.
Pitre has the athleticism required to last in the NFL, but it’s his football intelligence and clear devotion to the game that truly set him apart. While he isn’t the fastest player in this draft, his notable ability to read the quarterback and diagnose an offense allows him to break on the ball early and make plays that others simply can’t. Additionally, he wastes no movement when pursuing ball carriers, as he always takes the right angle and can diagnose blocking schemes to hit running backs in the open lane. Additionally, while he isn’t fast, he is quick, so he should be able to mirror the Jarvis Landry types that do most of their damage in the short part of the field.
Pitre’s relatively small build and lack of elite athleticism keep him from projecting as an elite player in the NFL. He might not make too many Pro Bowl teams, but he has what it takes to be an above-average starter while making an impact at all three levels of the defense. His intelligence should allow him to start from Day 1 and he’d be a great pick at the end of the first or beginning of the second.
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