2015 NFL Draft Profile: Anthony Jefferson

Anthony Jefferson #23 – UCLA

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Anthony Jefferson (23) celebrates with defensive back Tahaan Goodman (21) after intercepting a pass in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Vital Stats

Position: Safety/Cornerback

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 198 lbs.

Arm Length: 31 1/2 in.

Hand Size: 8 1/2 in.

Combine Stats

UCLA Bruins

Grade: 4.94

40-Yard Dash: 4.72 sec

Bench Press: 15 reps

Vertical Jump: 33.5 in

Broad Jump: 116.0 in.

3-Cone Drill: 7.18 sec

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.15 sec

2014 Season Stats

Tackles: 72, Solo: 50, Asst.: 22, Tackles For Loss (Yards): 3 (7), INT: 1, Pass Break-ups: 8

NFL Draft Projections

WalterFootball.com: Round 4-6

DraftTek.com: Round 7, #233 Kansas City Chiefs

The Upside

Oct 11, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Anthony Jefferson (23) knocks the ball loose from Oregon Ducks wide receiver Keanon Lowe (7) during first half action at Rose the Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

There is something to be said about a safety that has the third most tackles in the second best defensive team in the Pac-12 Conference.

Anthony Jefferson was one of the anchors of the Bruin defense last year. At UCLA, he has played both safety and cornerback so he knows the ins-and-outs of the secondary.

Coming from the Pac-12 Conference that was spread-offense heavy, Jefferson should be a good fit for a team that can develop his skills properly. That is a commodity in the passing-league that is the NFL.

Jefferson can also lay the boom when the opposition goes into his area, so look for him to crush some people.

The Improvements Needed

Jefferson would be at a disadvantage against more athletic receivers in one-on-one situations and could get out-run by fasters players more often than not. He has a decent reading of coverages, that could improve over time with proper development, but because if his height, weight and general athleticism, will probably be drafted as a cornerback.

Final Analysis

There is always a need for a smart, physical defensive back and if any of the NFL teams have really looked at Jefferson’s body of work, they will know that he is an athletic specimen that just needs a little polishing. Jefferson might not see the field for a year or two, but in that time he should develop physically and mentally into a solid back-up safety or starting cornerback.