With the 27th Pick of the 2014 Draft the Cardinals Select: Deone Bucannon
- Updated: May 8, 2014
Why this works: Bucannon definitely fills a need. He’s an old-school safety, who can knock you out! The NFC West could have the four best defenses in football in 2014. Despite making six interceptions this past season, Bucannon isn’t a safety who will excel in man-to-man coverage. If he can improve in space, he’ll be a great safety and really help an already stout defense.
Draft Day Grade: B+
Player Profiles courtesy of Nick Sardina – Editor Football Memo
Deone Bucannon, S, 6-1, 215, Washington State
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.
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