2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jordan Battle (DB – Alabama)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Jordan Battle.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jordan Battle (DB – Alabama)

Jordan Battle (DB – Alabama)

6’1″ – 206 lbs.

Background:

Has been a major part of Alabama’s defense for four years, since a 2019 campaign in which he started four games and played a total of 400 snaps, finishing with a 30-2.0-1.0 line and one interception. Has been a starter ever since, with 66 tackles, an interception and four breakups as a sophomore. Had a career-best junior line of 85 tackles, three interceptions, and three breakups. As a senior, he picked up 71 tackles and an interception over 13 games.

Positives:

Four-year contributor for arguably the best-coached college team in the country. Well-built for the pro game. Played all over the defense, with about half of his snaps coming as a high safety and the rest divided more or less equally between the box and the slot but slightly more toward the former. Good communicator on the back end. Was trusted as the single-high safety regularly during the games reviewed, doing a nice job of getting depth in his backpedal and providing help over the top on deep targets. Generally takes a patient approach to the game, keeping the play in front of him, not easily fooled by window-dressing at the route stem and appropriately handling his responsibilities as the last line of defense. Breaks down well in the open field and likes to get physical with opposing
ball carriers; length gives him a solid tackling radius. Gets pretty good extension to lock out blockers when playing up near the line. Uses his hands well to feel routes and stay connected in coverage. Has run back three interceptions for touchdowns.

Negatives:

Usage may be a little bit more limited at the pro level. Speed and closing burst are closer to adequate; might not be able to play much single-high at the next level and is more likely to limit yards after the catch than to get in phase on shorter breaking routes when he drops down into the slot. Can be pulled up or frozen by play-action at times and doesn’t always have the explosiveness to get back in phase. Would have liked to see him in man coverage against opposing tight ends.

Summary:

An experienced, polished player who can do a little bit of everything, getting depth to provide help in high zones, coming down into the box to defend the run and occasionally coming down to work in coverage against opposing slot receivers. He should be a good fit for a team emphasizing versatility and prudence over aggressive ball-hawking. Sort of a “jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none” type who could conceivably start relatively soon, albeit perhaps with a lower ceiling than some of the other defensive backs in the class.

Projection: Round 3