JaCoby Stevens NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 212 pounds
College: LSU
JaCoby Stevens NFL Draft Player Profile
For years, LSU has been regarded as the premier college for safeties and cornerbacks. It’s no secret that the university tends to pick up many of the top recruits in those positions year after year. JaCoby Stevens was no different, as the talented safety committed to LSU out of high school as a five-star prospect. Before he was sporting the purple and yellow, Stevens shined in high school as both a receiver and safety. The talented Stevens was ranked as the 18th-best player in the nation at the time of his signing. He was one of the biggest pickups of the year for the university.
Early in his career with the Tigers, Stevens found himself splitting time between wide receiver and safety, similar to his role in high school. Stevens finished his freshman season with two receptions for 32 yards but impressed many LSU coaches. In 2018, Stevens took on a bigger role for the team. Stevens appeared in 11 games and flourished on the defensive side of the ball. Stevens finished with 35 tackles, with 6.5 of those being for a loss. In 2019, Stevens continued to improve, finishing with 92 total tackles. He also added three interceptions.
Stevens was viewed as a solid NFL prospect but opted to return for his senior season. However, the decision ended up hurting Stevens, as he struggled and regressed from previous seasons. Hoping to bring his draft stock up, Stevens participated in the Senior Bowl, showcasing his skills in front of multiple NFL personnel.
Strengths:
- Good size for the position at the next level
- Shows great instincts and plays heads-up football
- Physical, hard-hitting safety who loves to come up and make plays in the box
- Breaks down well and shines in run-defending
- Has great hands and fights off blocks well
Weaknesses:
- Lacks necessary hip fluidity
- Has problems covering faster receivers
- Has a tendency to play at one speed
Player Comparison: Marcus Maye
Teams With Need At The Position: Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Football Team.
Draft Projection: 6th-7th Rounds
Bottom Line on JaCoby Stevens
When looking at JaCoby Stevens on paper, he possesses all the traits NFL scouts are looking for in a safety. His good size coupled with his physical and quick play style could perfectly complement a defense tailored to fit his skills. The only knock on Stevens is likely this athleticism, as he lacks the necessary hip fluidity and speed to dominate at the next level. However, this doesn’t mean Stevens can’t contribute to an NFL organization. If Stevens works to clean up some of the rougher parts of his game, he has a chance to be a valuable contributor on an NFL roster.
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