Florida State safety Derwin James spent Wednesday meeting with the Buccaneers and will sit down with the Packers on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). James, the No. 9 ranked safety in the draft per NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, offers versatility with experience at both safety spots, nickel cornerback, and even outside linebacker. He arguably performs better when playing closer to the line, so the team that drafts him will likely look to continue using him in multiple roles.
Here’s more NFL Draft news:
- NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb met with the Buccaneers on Wednesday and is visiting the Giants on Thursday, Rapoport tweets. Chubb has another top 5 team visit next week, Rapoport notes, but he did not specify the club.
- Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy was with the Vikings on Wednesday, Rapoport tweets. Cichy suffered an ACL tear in the summer that prevented him from seeing the field in 2017. Before the injury, he was considered a first-round prospect and he could still come off the board in Day 2 if he demonstrates that he is healthy.
- Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward is visiting the 49ers on Thursday, according to Rapoport (on Twitter). The Niners pick No. 9 overall and he could be a possibility for San Francisco there. SF will also meet with Georgia linebacker Lorenzo Carter.
- The Bears met with a pair of top defensive backs in Ward and Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama), Rapoport tweets. Fitzpatrick previously visited the Buccaneers. The Bears own the No. 8 pick in the draft, so they could be in range for both players.
- The Vikings met with University of Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams and Notre Dame tackle Mike McGlinchey, Rapoport tweets. Jeremiah has Williams ranked as the No. 21 prospect in this year’s draft while McGlinchey is at No. 35.
- Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans visited the Dolphins (No. 11) this week, Rapoport tweets. Evans, who played all over in Bama’s front seven, offers strong coverage against both tight ends and running backs.
- Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne is meeting with the Falcons, according to Rapoport.
- The Buccaneers, who own the No. 7 pick in the first round, had former Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson in for a visit on Wednesday, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
Is Derwin the 9th ranked safety or is he the 9th ranked overall prospect? I haven’t kept up with many draft prospects this year so just want to make sure. Thanks Zach.
9th overall. Probably the number 2 safety behind Minkah.
Thank you for the clarification and the extra info.
No. 9 safety or No. 9 player overall?
Has to be number 9 overall. Right?
If my Bucs take Derwin at 7 I’ll be so mad. It’ll be Mark Barron all over again. IMO, a safety taken in the top 10 busy be an exceptional player with elite ball skills and ability to turn the ball over. Derwin had like 3 career picks at FSU. Not enough ball production to take that high, particularly over guys like Nelson, Fitzpatrick, Ward, Edmunds or the outside chance Barkley slips a few spots. Any of those guys fills a big need for us and are better prospects. I like Derwin as a prospect, but not at 7.
*must be an exceptional player
If this draft goes the way every analyst is predicting. The Bucs will b hold a very valuable pick.
And if u really think James is the next Barron. U didn’t watch much college football. Pre Injury James was absolutely a ball hawk. As evidence with Safeties coming back from knee injuries it takes a bit to get that timing back. Honey Badger looked bad the first few games returning from his injuries. College sports have a practice time limit so not as many reps to catch the timing back up after injuries. James is a steal at 7-10 where I’m assuming he ends up. Even bigger steal if he slips down to 12-17 range like I’ve seen him mocked a few times.
Cichy is a good young kid. Dudes got a motor that won’t quit. I don’t know if he goes very early in the draft because if his injury, but someone is going to get a highly coachable prospect with a bright future. He played HS about half an hour’s drive from the Vikes and was coached by former national HS coach of the year winner Bruce Larson. He’d almost be in a perfect situation going to the Vikings..