2019 NFL Draft: 10 potential surprise first round picks

If you don’t know this name, get to know it quickly because I believe Delaware safety Nasir Adderley is not only the best safety in this class, but a future All-Pro at the position. Any concerns about the lack of competition he faced coming from a small school were emphatically erased after his performance at the Senior Bowl.

Adderley put together a strong week of practice, culminating in a big game on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. He flew to the ball throughout the afternoon and picked off Buffalo’s Tyree Jackson in the fourth quarter to all but seal the deal for the North team.

Adderley had already been creeping up draft boards as word continued to spread about his exceptional athleticism and closing speed. He was utilized mostly as a deep safety at Delaware where he displayed ball-skills that could develop into a ball-hawking ability at the next level.

At the Senior Bowl, he showed that he could hold up in man coverage as well as an ability to step up in the box and take on blockers and ball-carriers. He delivered some thunderous hits that no doubt resonated with onlooking scouts.

Alabama’s Deionte Thompson has long been viewed as the top safety in the 2019 draft class, but Adderley has thrown his hat into the mix to be the first safety prospect selected in April. Adderley is a more polished product than Thompson at this moment with significantly more game experience than Alabama’s one-year starter; he might also have a higher ceiling, too.

The Senior Bowl was a big first test passed for the Delaware product, and I expect his athleticism to really shine when he makes it to Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine at the end of February. A big performance there could clinch his spot in the first round.

Adderley looks like a first round pick to me, and if he falls to the second round then a team would potentially be getting the steal of the draft.