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Reese’s Senior Bowl 2019: 10 NFL Draft prospects to watch

By John Mitchell

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State upset West Virginia 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State upset West Virginia 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

There’s always a few players who emerge through the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine as first round picks out of nowhere, and I think Delaware safety Nasir Adderley has the ability to end up in the first round.

I expect Adderley to turn a lot of heads in Mobile this week with his rangy athleticism and competitive spirit. Playing at the FCS level as made him fly under the radar, but if you watch Adderley on tape you will see a guy who will eventually be a starting NFL safety. Even if it takes him a year or two to breakthrough as a starter, his energy and effort will see him make an instant impact on special teams at the next level.

It will be interesting to see how Adderley matches up against the high-end talent in Mobile, particularly when he ends up in man coverage situations as he predominately played deep safety for the Blue Hens.

Adderley has outstanding range and closing speed that makes him a potential ball-hawking safety in the NFL. He also has the versatility to play some slot corner as well as zero fear when it comes to jumping into the box to make plays against the run. He’s always willing to take on blockers that are bigger than him – he flew all over the field for Delaware throughout his career.

Both Kiper and McShay currently have Adderley among their top-10 safety prospects in this draft class, and there is a lot of potential for him to shoot up draft boards in what appears to be a relatively weak class at the position. Behind Alabama’s Deionte Thompson, I think the race for the No. 2 safety is wide open.

I expect a big week from Adderley as he ends up as a late first to early second round draft pick in April.

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