4. Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah
Experience: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-2/217
Projected Round: 3-4
2015 Stats: 132 tackles; 2.5 tackles for loss; 7 passes defended
A four-year starter at Southern Utah, Miles Killebrew brings a lot of safety experience to the NFL. Fans often mistake Killebrew as a linebacker as he possesses ideal size, mentality and isn’t afraid to enforce his will on ball carrier.
While most powerful hitters have poor form tackling, which can lead to missed tackles, Killebrew has great tackling form. This allowed him to rack up over 100 tackles in each of his final two seasons.
Killebrew also possesses above average footwork and body control, allowing him to cover a lot of ground, change direction fast and chase down plays around the line of scrimmage.
What keeps Killebrew as a mid-round pick is his in game decision-making. Often times he is late diagnosing the play, has tunnel vision and has only average football instincts, which slows him down. All of these combined creates instances where he is in the wrong position and it holds his physical talents from being fully reached.
Working with defensive backs coach Joe Woods and defensive coordinator Wade Phillip’s could help Killebrew’s decision making and make him a very good player; however, if not, poor on-field decision-making could always lead to plays similar to Rahim Moore’s in the Baltimore Ravens playoff game.
