Lamarcus Joyner excited about future: Where is he Ranked here?

Ranking the Strong Safeties

Though the safety position has grown in variance and responsibility to the point that some teams use their free and strong safeties interchangeably, the strong safety has specific responsibilities in most defenses.

He traditionally acts as something between defensive back and linebacker. He must be agile enough on coverage to deal with running backs on wheel routes and tight ends up the seam. He also has to be a plus run-stopper, with the size and tackling power to take down running backs.

And in modern defenses where positional versatility is the norm, he'll also likely be asked to take on free safety responsibilities, such as deep-third and quarters coverage. He may also be a slot defender on some snaps. Basically, the best strong safeties embrace multiple responsibilities at a high level.

NFL1000 defensive backs scout Kyle Posey watched all the NFL's strong safeties in 2017 and ranked them. His scouting reports are based on the following criteria:

Coverage: 25 points. How well does this player cover from the defense's second and third levels? Can he take receivers to either side, and does he read routes well enough to know where to go in time to get there? How well does he work with his cornerbacks in zone coverage? Does he have the physical ability to create contested catches, deflections and interceptions?

Recovery: 20 points. Strong safeties are often asked to crash down the line of scrimmage and take out ball-carriers. If he takes the wrong gap, can he recover to make the tackle? How well does this player recover from a false step in coverage? When receivers come into his area from blown coverages elsewhere, how well does he pick up the mess?

Slot Performance: 20 points. When he's asked to play in the slot, how well does this player adjust his coverage requirements to the option routes and close coverage at this alternate position?

Tackling: 25 points. This covers everything from tackling in deep space to run-stopping to the ability to blitz. How well does this player wrap up and stop the play once the ball-carrier is in his area?

Position Value: 8 points. A score that takes positional importance into account when comparing grades across other spots on the defense. Free safeties are given 8/10 points, making their top possible grade 98.

#5 Lamarcus Joyner, Los Angeles Rams


Coverage: 21/25
Recovery: 16/20
Slot Performance: 16/20
Tackling: 19/25
Position Value: 8/10
Overall Grade: 80/100

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips transformed Lamarcus Joyner into a true playmaker. Instead of pigeonholing Joyner into a slot corner, Phillips moved him all around the defense—and it paid off. Joyner was one of the NFL's best cover safeties. He matched up with top receivers and didn't back down.

A defined cornerback his first three years in the league, Joyner became a moveable safety and showed every attribute required for that change. He covered well both at the single-high level and in the slot, and he showed a real affinity for tackling at the end of a long run when catching up to a ball-carrier. Joyner's combination of quickness and field awareness make him special.
[bleacherreport.com]

Ranking the Free Safeties

The best free safeties cover the field like no other player can.

They often start from the back of the defensive formation as the last line of hope on a deep pass. If that free safety has the requisite skills, he'll move quickly from "center field" to either sideline. He'll have to take up massive parts of the field, especially in Cover 1 and Cover 3 concepts. He'll also need the field intelligence to quickly read run plays and react just as fast to assist as a force defender.

He'll be asked to help his cornerbacks with bracket coverage on top receivers and tight ends, and disguise that help so the opponent doesn't have time to adapt. He'll also be asked to work as a slot defender at times, based on the scheme. There's a tremendous list of things to do for the best free safeties, but if you think it's tough for them, imagine how things don't work when a player who finds the speed and coverage requirements overwhelming gets put in that spot.

All of a sudden, there are second- and third-level blown coverages. Offensive game-planners know they have a sucker play with deep vertical routes and seam routes and deep posts. The burden on the other members of the secondary can be too much.

It's a rare player with all the requirements for the position, and in today's NFL, where passing is paramount, it could be argued the free safety spot has never been more important.

#10. John Johnson, Los Angeles Rams


Coverage: 24/30
Recovery: 20/30
Slot Performance: 6/10
Tackling: 17/20
Position Value: 8/10
Overall Grade: 75/100

Quietly, John Johnson was sensational as a rookie, and his play was great when Lamarcus Joyner formed the team's safety tandem with him. Johnson showed the route recognition and cover skills of a veteran. He was also a sure tackler. His main drawback was his recovery speed, but he'll continue to hone his skills and give the Rams a bright future.

Johnson rolled into the Rams secondary as a rookie third-round pick out of Boston College, and it was impressive how well he handled multiple roles. He has the range to play the deep thirds, but defensive coordinator Wade Phillips also used him as a versatile slot defender, where he covered receivers and tight ends with excellent speed and a reckless tackling style.

Johnson has some technique fixes to address, but he shows the potential to be a new-breed defender, playing everywhere from the line of scrimmage to center field.
[bleacherreport.com]