Draft Profile Series: Deone Bucannon
- Updated: April 29, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as a mock draft.
Deone Bucannon, S, 6-1, 215, Washington State
Key stats: Had 114 tackles, 6 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles in 2013.
Strengths: Aggressive, hard-hitting play-maker. … Is an intimidating force and tone-setting hitter. … Is effective in the pass game, but much more accomplished around the line of scrimmage as a run defender. … Plays the ball in the air and tracks deep passes well. … Very good in kick coverage. … Has good straight-line speed. … A strong leader for the Cougars that showed up with consistent play every week.
Weaknesses: His aggressiveness can be used against him. … Doesn’t catch the ball naturally with hands. … Needs to become a more reliable tackler in open field. … Instead of going for knockout blow, should keep his feet and make sure of wrapping up the ball carrier. … Really tends to lunge and often comes up with air only. … Has average lateral agility with some tightness in hips that prevent him from stopping and starting as quickly as you’d like, either from a coverage standpoint, or in pursuit.
Conclusion: Bucannon is best suited as an inside-the-box run defender and blitzer. … He is physically gifted enough to drop deep in the secondary from time to time, but struggles in space to stop quicker runners. … That being said, his ball skills are much better than the average big safety. … Bucannon should find a niche early on in the NFL as a run defender and key contributor on special teams.
NFL comparison: Dashon Goldson/LaRon Landry.
Draft projection: Second Round.
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