2013 NFL Draft: Poll: Matt Elam vs. Jonathan Cyprien

October 8, 2011; Akron, OH , USA; Akron Zips quarterback Clayton Moore (8) runs during the first quarter as FIU Golden Panthers defensive back Jonathan Cyprien (25) prepares to make the tackle in the game at InfoCision Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric P. Mull-USA TODAY Sports

Who Is Ready for todays poll?

Todays matchup is a Safety Showdown between Florida SS Matt Elam and FIU FS Jonathan Cyprien.

Matt Elam

Despite what you may hear, Matt Elam is a strong safety. Who Is Ready for todays poll? Todays matchup is a Safety Showdown between Florida SS Matt Elam and FIU FS Jonathan Cyprien. Matt Elam Despite what you may hear, Matt Elam is a strong safety. Early on in the process of the draft the media was calling him a free safety, but that was simply never the case. That isnt to say that Elam is a bad player or anything else, but just to make sure that his position is clear. Now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you about Elam. The guy is like a tiny little buzz saw on the football field. He makes plays all over the place and is the definition of high energy player. He has solid instincts and isnt afraid to lay some wood on anyone who is dumb enough to get close to him with the ball. The problem though, is that he is about as big as a smurf. Elam measures in at about 5’9″. the average NFL WR is about 3 inches taller than that. the average TE(which is increasingly becoming the responsibility of Strong safeties) is close to 7 inches taller than that. That is a huge discrepancy. In short, in any jump ball situation, Elam loses. To compensate for that Elam tries to cut off routes underneath. unfortunately this produces a really high burn rate on deep passes. This could be a huge problem in the NFL. His upside is an in the box defender who is a nightmare but struggles in the passing game, basically Troy Polomalu. He probably wont be that good, but the comparison is certainly valid. Jonathan Cyprien I love watching Cyprien(I am going to call him JC from now on) play football. early in the draft process I thought he would be a steal in the second round, now it is clear that if the Ravens want him they will have to take the plunge in the first round. He is worth it. JC is probably a strong safety to start with, but down the road he translates very well to the free safety position. He has excellent field vision. That is my favorite thing about him. I love the way he reads the ball. He produced the best single safety play of any prospect in this draft when he picked off Teddy Bridgewater in a game against Louisville. He reads Bridgewater like a book and comes from about 35-40 yards across the field to cut off a sideline pass and pull down the pick while dragging his feet inbounds. It screamed Ed Reed. I think JC could end up being one of the biggest steals in this draft if he lands with the right defense that allows him to freelance a little bit. That is where he excels. He has very good speed and awareness, very very rarely lets receivers find a way to get behind him. He is an enforcer in the middle who is probably the second biggest hitter in this draft at the safety spot behind DJ Swearinger. Who you got? vote below! on in the process of the draft the media was calling him a free safety, but that was simply never the case. That isnt to say that Elam is a bad player or anything else, but just to make sure that his position is clear. Now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you about Elam. The guy is like a tiny little buzz saw on the football field. He makes plays all over the place and is the definition of high energy player. He has solid instincts and isnt afraid to lay some wood on anyone who is dumb enough to get close to him with the ball. The problem though, is that he is about as big as a smurf. Elam measures in at about 5’9″. the average NFL WR is about 3 inches taller than that. the average TE(which is increasingly becoming the responsibility of Strong safeties) is close to 7 inches taller than that. That is a huge discrepancy. In short, in any jump ball situation, Elam loses. To compensate for that Elam tries to cut off routes underneath. unfortunately this produces a really high burn rate on deep passes.

Jonathan Cyprien

Who you got? vote below!