Safeties used to be afterthoughts. Now they are highly thought of, which is why LSU’s LaRon Landry ranks as the top defensive back prospect.
“Safety play, in this league, is essential,” Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. “I think the league has redefined the position. Offensive schemes are redefining the position.
“The Colts are a great example of what happens when you lose a key player. When (safety) Bob (Sanders) came back (from an injury), their defense changed. I think as scouting staffs and coaching staffs, we’re putting a little more emphasis on the position, and fortunately, this year, we’ll have a chance, because there’ll be safeties throughout the draft.”
Four times in the past five years a safety has been a top-10 pick — Roy Williams, the eighth overall choice of the Cowboys in 2002; Sean Taylor, the fifth selection of the Redskins in 2004; Michael Huff, the seventh choice of the Raiders last year; and Donte Whitner, the eighth pick of the Bills last year. Three safeties were selected in the first 16 picks last year, with Jason Allen, the 16th overall pick of the Dolphins, joining Huff and Whitner.
Landry is the best of the best this season, an almost certain top-10 pick.
He ranks seventh in school history with 315 tackles and third with 12 interceptions. He also had eight sacks, 16 stops for losses, 12 quarterback pressures and two blocked kicks in his 52 career games.
“I’m a complete safety,” Landry said. “I’m very fast, physical. I communicate well. I’m able to read offenses. I can play the middle of the field, man to man. I have great technique. I can play down in the box.
“I just have a passion for the game. I give 110 percent effort, and I make the players around me work to try to match my intensity.”
Landry’s brother, Dawan, a standout at Georgia Tech, was a fifth-round choice of the Baltimore Ravens last season. He started 14 games at strong safety as a rookie and made 48 solo tackles, three sacks and five interceptions.
“He pushed me,” LaRon Landry said. “… I have an older brother, too, Derik. He played defensive end at Vanderbilt. So it’s always been competitive in the household growing up. I always had to have self-motivation.”