We have talked a little about the safety position for the New York Giants as we discussed the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. Do you believe Tyler Sash, selected in the sixth round a season ago, has the speed and instincts to play a major role in the defense next season? Deon Grant seems unlikely to return, so someone will have to step up.
Even if you do think Sash can do that, you might still believe feel -- as I do -- that the safety depth is not yet up to par.
Thus, today's 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile focusing on Boise State's 6-foot-3, 216-pound safety, George Iloka. Iloka has the size the Giants like at safety, so let's look at what the scouts say.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post rates Iloka as the No. 3 strong safety in the 2012 NFL Draft class. He says:
Iloka is a tall kid with solid balance for his size and has some natural athleticism and pop. Has experience playing corner and being a physical press coverage man. However, he isn't a guy who can quickly re-direct and close on the football in the deep half. He needs to play with his hands on defenders, but is a more coordinated bigger safety than say Seahawks starter Kam Chancellor and he could start at the next level.
To show how different some reports can be, CBS Sports lists Iloka as the No. 1 free safety in this draft class. CBS says:
In a relatively weak year for safeties (outside of Alabama's Mark Barron), Iloka's size, athleticism and experience (40 consecutive starts) stand out. ... He is an explosive athlete, but lacks quick change-of-direction that would make him special. Still, Iloka has the cover skills and length to match up well against tight ends and receivers with the closing burst and physical nature to show up in run support.
NFL.com summarizes Iloka this way:
He is a superb zone defender who understands how to diagnose and react to plays. He is the quarterback of the secondary and has length to make plays and the speed to have range in zone. He should be a backup early on and contribute early on, and displays starting traits.
NFL Draft Preview: George Iloka (via FoxSports)
George Iloka Profile
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 216
School: Boise State
2011 Stats: 58 tackles, one pass defensed
Complete List Of Prospect Profiles
George Iloka, S, Boise State
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Nate Potter, OT, Boise State
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State
Vontaze Burfict, MLB, Arizona State
Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Kelcie McCray, SS, Arkansas State
Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (Ohio)
Senio Kelemete, OG, Washington
Chris Polk, RB, Washington
Amini Solatolu, OG, Midwestern State
Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
Desmond Wynn, OG, Rutgers
David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State
Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas
Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Dont'a Hightower, MLB, Alabama
Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com | Follow Big Blue View on Twitter | 'Like' Big Blue View on Facebook.)