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Arizona Cardinals 2019 NFL Draft: 10 small school heroes you need to know

By Avery Duncan

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Andy Isabella #23 of the Massachusetts Minutemen catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Maine Black Bears at Fenway Park on November 11, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Andy Isabella #23 of the Massachusetts Minutemen catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Maine Black Bears at Fenway Park on November 11, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 26: Nasir Adderley #23 of the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens tackles Quinshad Davis #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 41-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 26: Nasir Adderley #23 of the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens tackles Quinshad Davis #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 41-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Nasir Adderley – S, Delaware

The first thing to know about Nasir Adderley is, much like Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2018, he doesn’t yet have a concrete position in the secondary, but that’s not quite a bad thing. Although teams are falling in love with his range at free safety, he may do just as well in the slot.

Do you want to put him at safety? Great, he can do that, but just know he has a solid build (6-foot, 206-pounds), and the range to be anywhere in a flash. He showed that at his pro-day with a 4.54 second 40-yard-dash. He’s also an explosive athlete that shouldn’t have trouble gaining traction.

Adderley isn’t afraid to hit hard and has a knack for finding the ball in the air. It doesn’t matter if you want him as a box safety or free safety, because he has the skill set to do both. However, he’s best set at free safety due to his burst, speed, and zone coverage abilities. Per Pro Football Focus he allowed a 1.3 pass rating in coverage, yes, 1.3.

Although I wouldn’t put him on the outside, Adderley does have the game to play in the slot; a need for the Cardinals. He has loose hips, high football intelligence, and the length to mirror top-notch receivers and tight ends at the position. Again, he shouldn’t be used on the outside as much as in as his deep-speed may not translate well and there’s not much man coverage tape on him.

Versatility is the key-word to define the Delaware product. Though I project him to find most of his success as a free safety, he shouldn’t have trouble transitioning to the box or slot. He looks like a first-round pick on tape, but his inconsistency along with his lack of elite competition and true position could drop him out of the first 50 selected.

Round projection: 1st-3rd round, his draft stock ultimately depends on where teams would play him. If the Cardinals draft him, expect to see him a slot cornerback and deep dime safety.

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