FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Minnesota defensive back Tyler Nubin.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tyler Nubin
6’2″ – 210 lbs.
Background:
Four-star recruit who played sparingly in 2019, then started all seven games in the shortened 2020 season, finishing with 41 tackles and an interception. Has started all 36 games he’s appeared in since then, with 52 tackles, three interceptions and two breakups in 2021 with 55 tackles, four interceptions and three breakups in 2022. He then tallied 53 tackles, five interceptions and four breakups this past season.
Positives:
Team captain and four-year starter with 43 starts to his name, primarily as a high safety but also playing in the box fairly often. Year-to-year improvements in his game are very favorable. Has a tall, long-limbed frame with adequate bulk and good flexibility. Nice low backpedal and clean footwork to get depth in high zones; was trusted to play single-high relatively often. Plays with the requisite conservatism expected from a high safety, doing a good job of keeping route combinations in front of him. Maintains nice sight-lines in zone. Relatively clean transitions to driving on a spot, with solid closing burst to deliver hits on crossers and in-breaking routes. Feels routes developing to stay connected when pattern-matching. Able to use his length to smother receivers down the sidelines. Has 13 career interceptions to his name, with the awareness to put himself in-phase and the length to make plays on the ball. Well-timed hits to dislodge the ball when targeted over the middle of the field. Solid open-field wrap tackler whose length gives him a wide radius; angles to the ballcarrier are relatively conservative.
Negatives:
A solid athlete, but not elite in terms of speed or explosiveness. Had some minor issues with overpursuing in the past, but was more efficient this past year. Reliable wrap tackler but doesn’t have the most stopping power. Would have liked to see him take more snaps in man coverage to get a feel for how well he defends slot receivers or tight ends. Could be susceptible to timing-based throws, as he doesn’t have the most precise transitions. May struggle to stick with smaller, quicker receivers if covering from the slot.
Summary:
A tall, long-limbed high-zone safety with a conservative approach, good decision-making, sound angles and strong ball skills. His four years of starting experience for a well-regarded program really show up on tape, as his snap-to-snap consistency is as good as any safety in the class and should allow him to make a smooth transition to the next level. While he may not quite have elite speed and explosiveness, his advanced play recognition and processing skills mean he’s rarely out of position. Moreover, his favorable development trajectory is a testament to his coachability and work ethic. In contention to be the first safety off the board on draft day, potentially as high as the first round.
Projection: Round 1-2
More 2024 NFL Draft Prospects
Cornerbacks
- Josh Newton (CB – TCU)
- Cooper DeJean (CB – Iowa)
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB – Missouri)
- Kalen King (CB – Penn State)
- Kamari Lassiter (CB – Georgia)
- Khyree Jackson (CB – Oregon)
- D.J. James (CB – Auburn)
- Nate Wiggins (CB – Clemson)
- Kris Abrams-Draine (CB – Missouri)
- Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama)
- T.J. Tampa (CB – Iowa State)
- Quinyon Mitchell (CB – Toledo)
- Terrion Arnold (CB – Alabama)
- Nehemiah Pritchett (CB – Auburn)
- Mike Sainristil (CB – Michigan)
- Dwight McGlothern (CB – Arkansas)
- Caelen Carson (CB – Wake Forest)
- Cam Hart (CB – Notre Dame)
- Max Melton (CB – Rutgers)
- Jarrian Jones (CB – Florida State)
Defensive Backs
- Calen Bullock (DB – USC)
- Beau Brade (DB – Maryland)
- James Williams (DB – Miami)
- Jaden Hicks (DB – Washington State)
- Sione Vaki (DB – Utah)
- Javon Bullard (DB – Georgia)
- Cole Bishop (DB – Utah)
- Tykee Smith (DB – Georgia)
- Malik Mustapha (DB – Wake Forest)
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