Name: FS Jaiquawn Jarrett
School: Temple
Size: 6'0, 198 lbs
Expected Round: 3rd-5th
40 Time: 4.61s
Career Stats: Click Here.
Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]
Strengths: Extremely strong player who can square up against guards, tight ends, and full backs in order to stop a running back. Knows how to attack the gaps to stop a run play before the play happens and is a strong tackler to prevent a play from happening. We've talked about how Gary Guyton stops plays after they happen at linebacker, while Brandon Spikes stops plays before they happen- Jarrett stops running plays before they happen. Great height for a free safety and has awareness to knock the ball away. Takes solid angles and improves as the game wears on as he starts to read opposing offenses. Appears to be experienced in zone.
Weaknesses: Jarrett might want to bulk up another 5-10 pounds in order to lay more wood since he can get bowled over by some larger running backs with great momentum. Not the fastest player so he tends to sit back in his coverage, allowing the passes to be completed underneath- will have to be coached to play closer to his man. Might not have the speed to stick to deep man coverage, so he'll have to be the deep safety in coverage, which partially negates his strong run defending ability.
Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!
Why the Patriots?: Since the Patriots might be looking for a free safety (James Sanders' and Brandon Meriweather's contracts are up after this next season), Jarrett could be an economical choice as a mid-round pick who can immediately contribute. He's a smart player and he plays the "bend-don't-break" defense in order to make up for his lack of speed. However, that doesn't mean he can't cover because he uses his intelligence to break on receivers to either knock the ball away, or take down the receiver for no yards after the catch.
Why Not the Patriots?: The Patriots could have a log jam at free safety. On top of Sanders and Meriweather, the Patriots have Bret Lockett and Ross Ventrone as depth, which, if the Patriots are high on either prospect, eliminates any roster spots for an additional free safety. Jarrett's speed might also be detrimental to his ability to cover the receivers who are becoming more and more shifty as the league evolves.
Verdict: I really like Jarrett as a prospect. If the Patriots feel the need to draft a free safety, Jarrett should be their guy in the 4th round- and don't be surprised if they overdraft and nab him at the end of the third if they don't think he'll be around later. If he works out and gets a little bit faster, he could be an extremely solid safety in the secondary.
Courtesy of MARI0clp