Mayock's Take: Safeties

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, a Newtown Square resident, will break down each position in advance of the draft for Daily News readers. Here is Part 12 with his take on the safeties:

BEST

Mark Barron, Alabama

6-1 1/8, 213

Arm: 33 5/8

40-yard dash: 4.57

225-bench: NA

Projected Round: 1 (picks 14-20)

Mayock: "To me, he's like (Luke) Kuechly and (David) DeCastro as far as guys who aren't going to be top 10 picks, but are going to be really good football players. He's the best of a poor safety class. He's got a nose for the ball. He gets downhill quickly and fills running lanes. He has good ball skills.''

RISER

DeQuan Menzie, Alabama

5-11, 202

Arm: 30

40-yard dash: 4.58

225-bench: NA

Projected Round: 3-4

Mayock: "He was the other corner at Alabama with Dre Kirkpatrick. But I would kick him inside when he gets to the NFL. I like him. He's physical. He's tough. Doesn't really have the pure speed to play on the outside, but would be a candidate to be a potential nickel defender and a starting free safety. Third or fourth round. Probaly third. Some corners can't move inside. The angles are completely different than what they're used to (on the outside). But he's smart enough. I think he can do it.''

SLEEPER

Robert Blanton, Notre Dame

6-1, 208

Arm: 31 ¼

40-yard dash: 4.70

225-bench: 12

Projected Round: 4-5

Mayock: "He's another corner who probably will be moved inside. He's a big corner who is speed-deficient. However, he tackles everybody. He's tough. He's smart. He's one of those guys who will be a core special teams guy. And if he can play inside, he's got the skill set to maybe be a starting free safety. He was off the radar for quite a while because teams didn't like him as a corner. But the more teams get to know him, I think they like him as a safety.''

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