He surprised me quite a bit this season. I wasn't a huge fan of him as a cornerback, and didn't think his move to safety this year would lead to anything. Incorrect.

He's a much more confident defender now -- playing to his strengths and making a bigger impact on the back-end than he ever did on the outside. With his coverage background, he can man up the slot receiver and break on throws that not many other safeties are able to, and his tackling has been adequate. Apparently he was originally a safety, blocked by upperclassmen at the position, so the quick acclimation makes sense.

If you look at the success that Eddie Jackson is having in Chicago, that's a good model for him to follow. Both switched from cornerback to safety during college, and make up for their lack of size with a bunch of splash plays in coverage.

+ Superb pass defense skills, with finishing ability (12 interceptions in three years)
+ Calm feet and reads routes instead of just reacting to them
+ Great versatility
+ Does well weeding through bodies and finding the ball-carrier; solid-enough wrap tackler

- Even after adding muscle this past year, he has a lanky frame that won't carry a lot more good weight (can get overpowered)