With the 21st Pick of the 2014 Draft the Packers Select: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
- Updated: May 8, 2014
Why this works: Good fit and value for the Packers, who haven’t had production at the safety position for several seasons. Clinton-Dix is a good all-around safety and will immediately make it more difficult for the Bears and Lions to scorch Green Bay’s secondary.
Draft Day Grade: B+
Player Profiles courtesy of Nick Sardina – Editor Football Memo
Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, S, 6-1½, 208, Alabama
Strengths: Versatile safety with good all-around skills. … Good recognition of run/pass. … Has above average man skills when covering tight ends and/or slot receivers. … Breaks down very well in space to make tackles. … Takes good angles around line of scrimmage, and in passing game. … Played under Nick Saban, so he was asked to quarterback a defense that uses NFL-style schemes. … He has ability to walk down and play in the box. … Hasn’t missed any time due to injury.
Weaknesses: Could use to get stronger. … Can make quicker reads in passing game. … Seems reluctant to leave hashes and get to sideline routes. … Sometimes waits until pass is in air before breaking on ball, instead of trusting his read and getting quicker break. … Can be overaggressive when playing close to line of scrimmage: sometimes getting fooled by play action. … Has trouble getting off blocks when coming down in run game. … Hand fights with them instead of cutting lead blockers or laying shoulder into them. … Had a two-game suspension for NCAA violation.
Conclusion: A center fielder for the Crimson Tide, Clinton-Dix was often used as a single-high safety. … Clinton-Dix didn’t make as many impact plays as I’d like to see, especially considering he was surrounded by great talent throughout his career. … While I don’t look at Clinton-Dix as a super blue-chip prospect, I think he’ll become a solid NFL safety. … He is versatile enough to play deep, near the line of scrimmage, in zone, or in man-to-man coverage. That alone will help himget his name called relatively early in the draft.
NFL comparison: Nate Allen/Malcolm Jenkins.
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