2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Josh Proctor (DB – Ohio State)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Ohio State defensive back Josh Proctor.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Josh Proctor

Josh Proctor (DB – Ohio State)

6’2″ – 205 lbs.

Background:

Josh Proctor was a four-star recruit who barely played in 2018. He then primarily appeared in a reserve capacity over the next few seasons. Had 13 tackles and an interception in 2019. Recorded 20 tackles and an interception in 2020 in what was a larger role, which included three starts beginning with the conference championship game. Broke his leg in the second game of the 2021 season and returned to start the first four appearances (out of eight) in 2022, ending the year with 21 tackles. Started all 11 games he played in this past year, ending up with 47 tackles, a pick-six and several breakups (between five to eight, depending on the source.)

Positives:

Big, well-built safety with good length and about two years of starting experience. Typically lines up as a high safety but comes down into the box fairly regularly. Can shade over the slot as well. Shows quick feet and nice balance in his backpedal; generally does a good job of getting depth and keeping the play in front of him. Plays with above-average patience. Was able to make a decent amount of plays on the ball this year. Has the length to drive on in-breaking routes and sneak a hand in to break up throws. Size could make him an option for coverage against tight ends. A physical defender who likes to set the tone defensively with several highlight-reel hits to his name; can serve as an enforcer over the middle of the field. Willing run supporter with a pretty quick trigger. Has been a reliable tackler and shows some closing burst with an impressive radius.

Negatives:

Overall athleticism is closer to average for a pro safety; didn’t see him playing much single-high and probably lacks the range for that role at the next level. Still developing his awareness and feel for route combinations. Aggressiveness can sometimes be used against him; will commit early at times and struggle to get back in position. Gets fooled by window-dressing in the run game more than you’d like. There’s a little bit of gather in his transitions from backpedaling. Doesn’t have the smoothest change of direction to stick with quicker receivers when pattern-matching or shaded over the slot. Lacks elite closing burst to get in-phase. Has been banged up over his career. His 2021 leg fracture will require further investigation.

Summary:

A big, physical safety who has quick feet to get depth in zone coverage and who is a reliable tackler in the run game. He may lack the ideal range for a single-high safety at the next level but could conceivably develop into a robber/box safety type as his instincts develop. Not quite as advanced as you’d like from someone who spent six years in school, so will probably be more of a late-round consideration in a relatively deep safety class.

Projection: Round 6/Round 7