DeMarcco Hellams NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6′-1″
Weight: 207 pounds
School: Alabama
2023 NFL Draft: DeMarcco Hellams Scouting Report
DeMarcco Hellams began his college football career at the University of Alabama in 2019. During the season he played primarily on special teams but saw action at safety in two of Alabama’s 13 games. He made four tackles (two solo, two assisted), including half a sack.
In his second season in Tuscaloosa, he played in 11 of Alabama’s 13 games. He had a total of 62 (36 solo, 26 assisted), including a sack, while also defending against three passes. In his third season for the Crimson Tide, Hellams became a starting safety, starting 14 of the Tide’s 15 games. On the season Hellams had 87 tackles (54 solo, 33 assisted) and a career-high three interceptions, while also defending against three passes.
In his final season at Alabama in 2022, Hellams had a monster season. Starting all 13 games, Hellams made 108 total tackles (67 solo, 41 assisted), including a sack. He also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, picked off a pass, and defended against seven others.
Strengths
- Has exceptional tackling form;
- Punishes receivers, especially over the middle;
- Limits receivers’ yards-after-catch (YAC);
- Plays effectively against the run;
- Has the speed to close, in order to contest passes.
Weaknesses
- Needs to relax hips in order to make transitional movements smoother and more efficient;
- Has difficulty with lateral transitions, especially;
- Does not take the best angles to the ball carrier;
- Has difficulty shedding blocks in space;
- Lacks speed and burst to catch receivers if beaten, especially downfield.
NFL Comparison: Russ Yeast
Teams With Need At Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers
Projection: Rounds 7-UDFA
Bottom Line on DeMarcco Hellams
DeMarcco Hellams is a highly talented defensive back. Because there are so many talented prospects, especially in the secondary, he is going to fall to the later rounds and potentially out of the draft entirely. On the positive side, Hellams has exceptional tackling form and punishes receivers over the middle. Should the receivers make the catch, he swoops into limit yards after the catch (YAC). He plays effectively against the run and has the speed to close to disrupt and contest passes.
Where Hellams lacks is his transitional movements need work, especially his lateral movements. He also does not take the best angle to the ball carrier when attempting to tackle them. He will also need to work on getting off his block, especially in space, and should try to increase his downfield speed, as that has been an issue throughout his college career.
Regardless, Hellams will get a chance with an NFL team whether he is drafted or signed as an undrafted free agent, remains to be seen. If Hellams can perform like he did in 2022, a team willing to give him an opportunity may be heavily rewarded, as he has shown he can be a highly productive player, as evidenced by his incredible 2022 season.
