Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 pounds
School: Indiana Hoosiers
Combine Performance Data
Bench press: 16 reps
Vertical jump: 31.5 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 7 inches
Jonathan Crawford 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Jonathan Crawford wasn’t the only member of his family to commit to Indiana in 2015. His cousin, wide receiver Donavan Hale, joined him in Bloomington. Both enjoyed standout high school careers at Largo on the Florida Gulf Coast, with Crawford finishing as the school’s all-time leader in career interceptions with 12. In addition to his exploits on the gridiron, Crawford also lettered in basketball and track and field.
It didn’t take long for Crawford to make his presence felt. As a true freshman in 2015, Crawford started all 13 games and racked up 76 tackles and four interceptions. Both of those totals led all Big Ten true freshman and it led to him earning honorable mention all-American honors from Campus Insiders as well as IU’s defensive newcomer of the year award. His playmaking ways continued during his sophomore campaign. In addition to three picks, he recovered four fumbles which were tied for second-best in FBS. He was named honorable mention all-Big Ten by the league’s media at season’s end.
Crawford’s production tapered off a bit from the standpoint of big plays in 2017 as he managed just a single interception. But he did register a career-high eight pass breakups and had his best game as a tackler in a win over Virginia, registering 11 stops. Despite the lower numbers, he earned the first of his two unanimous honorable mention all-conference honors (coaches and media). And he closed his college career the way he opened it: by leading IU in tackles (66) while recovering two fumbles which was third among Big Ten players.
Strengths
- fits the profile of a pro-level safety size-wise;
- showcased versatility in college, playing close to the line of scrimmage and off the ball;
- quick-footed with effortless backpedal;
- recognizes pass tendencies and reacts seamlessly;
- isn’t overly susceptible to play action;
- innately at the right place at the right time to come up with loose balls;
- has the potential to contribute immediately on special teams;
- no major injury red flags;
- one of two players in Indiana history to start 50 games.
Weaknesses
- needs a lot of work in terms of becoming a more reliable tackler;
- not the most fluid when it comes to flipping his hips;
- allows too many yards after initial contact when bringing players down;
- might not have adequate recovery quickness if initially beaten by the receiver;
- offers too wide a cushion in off-man which leads to easy catches underneath;
- needs to be much more physical in man coverage;
- had a rough go of it against Ohio State;
- sometimes looks lost when trying to take angles to ball-carrier;
- production as a ball-hawk took a bit of a dip as an upperclassman.
NFL Comparison: Tedric Thompson
Teams With Need at Position: Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Projection: Sixth to seventh round
Bottom Line
The fact that Crawford started 50 games by itself pretty much highlights the fact that his durability speaks for itself. Of course, being able to avoid injury alone doesn’t win you a job at the highest level of the game. Crawford proved during his tenure with the Cream and Crimson that he can play, though. He showed hints of elite playmaking ability early in his career and he’ll be well-served in the NFL if he can rediscover it on a consistent basis. He has good size, plays with solid footwork, and is fairly instinctual in pass coverage.
Perhaps the biggest thing Crawford needs to improve upon if he’s to make it at the next level is his tackling ability. Players who know how to create yards for themselves after initial contact will have a field day unless he can improve in this regard. With proper coaching, it’s a trait that can be unlearned. However, lack of hip fluidity is something that’s hard to get rid of. And it could make him a liability against speedy, lateral athletic pass-catchers down the field.
If Crawford can become a more consistent tackler, his best fit in the league is probably as a box safety capable of making plays at the line of scrimmage on early downs. Teams aiming to augment their safety depth with a late day three pick will certainly have done their homework on him. While starting reps may be hard to come by, especially early on, he should provide solidity at the second or third spot on the depth chart.
