2018 DBs

[Irish YJ]

For the first time in a while, very excited about our backfield. Also not sure who's going where, and how things will shake out. Listed below is the expected DB roster (signed) and current depth chart. If anyone with insight could help project position or positions, and perhaps where they will end up depth wise next year. Thanks in advance.


Current Depth Chart

Stud Safety
Nick Coleman SR
Devin Studstill JR
Jordan Genmark-Heath SO

Whip Safety
Jalen Elliott JR
Isaiah Robertson SO
Nicco Fertitta SR

Field Corner
Nick Watkins RS SR
Shaun Crawford RS JR
Troy Pride Jr. JR

Boundary Corner
Julian Love JR
Donte Vaughn JR

The rest
Alohi Gilman RS SO - SS?
DJ Morgan RS SO - SS?
Derrik Allen FR - WS then SS?
Houston Griffith FR - FCB then WS?
Tariq Bracy FR - FCB?
Joe Wilkins Jr. FR - BCB?
Paul Moala FR - WS?


18 Depth Projection

Stud Safety
Alohi Gilman RS SO
Nick Coleman SR
Devin Studstill JR
Jordan Genmark-Heath SO

Whip Safety
Derrik Allen FR 1A
Jalen Elliott JR 1B
Isaiah Robertson SO
Nicco Fertitta SR
Paul Moala FR

Field Corner
Houston Griffith FR 1A
Nick Watkins RS SR 1B
Shaun Crawford RS JR
Troy Pride Jr. JR
Tariq Bracy FR

Boundary Corner
Julian Love JR
Donte Vaughn JR
Joe Wilkins Jr. FR


I know a lot of folks see Griffith as a S, but with Gilman and Allen pretty stout at both S positions, and Love at BCB second team AA, I'd think HG would get a shot at FCB if he is as "shutdown" as all the 7on7s said he was.

Any input/help is appreciated. Next year, and forward could be pretty awesome for ND DB play.

 

[BobbyMac]

I hope Griff can make it at CB but the truth is Greg Newsome was the real chut down corner from Boom and played CB over Griff at IMG this season.

The best case scenario I see if it were to end right now without Irvin is Love and Pride at CB's with JGH/Allen at Stud and Gilman/Griff at Whip. Long term Allen/Griff at S is a killer package with Rover being JOK/Simon

... and then Ajavon and Williams come in next year and it gets REALLY crazy!

 

[Irish YJ]

I hope Griff can make it at CB but the truth is Greg Newsome was the real chut down corner from Boom and played CB over Griff at IMG this season.

The best case scenario I see if it were to end right now without Irvin is Love and Pride at CB's with JGH/Allen at Stud and Gilman/Griff at Whip. Long term Allen/Griff at S is a killer package with Rover being JOK/Simon

... and then Ajavon and Williams come in next year and it gets REALLY crazy!

In your opinion, is Irvin in the two deep at CB from day one if he comes? You think Gilman is going to start out at Whip/Weak?

 

[Rizzophil]

Hard to say any freshman is a top two player

 

[Irish YJ]

Hard to say any freshman is a top two player

I'd bet a lot of vbucks that Allen is in the 2 deep from day 1

 

[Luckylucci]

We’ve had numerous freshman in the 2 deep recently. I don’t think it’s a stretch to think 2 of our better DB prospects of the last decade would make it.

 

[Irish YJ]

We’ve had numerous freshman in the 2 deep recently. I don’t think it’s a stretch to think 2 of our better DB prospects of the last decade would make it.

LL where do you think Griffith will end up?

 

[BobbyMac]

In your opinion, is Irvin in the two deep at CB from day one if he comes? You think Gilman is going to start out at Whip/Weak?

I'm not sure about how/where Irvin fits/sticks. I feel he'd get snaps early and often. If Pride fully clicks, he's got an athletic skill set that will be hard to beat. Is Watkins back? Lot of experience there, same with Coleman and then there's Donte Vaughn which is a total enigma. His film says he good vs the slot and as a FS. So if being the #2 nickel is in the 2 deep, yes... I think he's got a good shot at opening the #2 in that package. Would I bet that he's a #2 outside CB day 1? No but it wouldn't shock me.

If you're listening to BK, it sounds like Gilman is the #1 Whip next year. Robertson is right there, Griffith has to end up there I'd think. Lot's of talent. If I had to guess, Gilman will be a bridge until Griffith is the #1 and that might not happen until 2019.

I'd bet a lot of vbucks that Allen is in the 2 deep from day 1

I'd bet all the vbucks ever issued. I think he'll be the passing down Stud from Day 1. Sounds like JGH is being counted on at Stud next season and he's no dog vs the pass. He's good film as a FS and now he's 220+. I hope they are able to use both.

I've been hoping some guys in the secondary would transfer to make room moving forward for upgrades, now I'm hoping the staff can juggle all the talent, find snaps for them and keep them happy. My how things have changed.

 

[Luckylucci]

LL where do you think Griffith will end up?

I’d start him at CB, but he probably ends up at S.

 

[Irish YJ]

I'm not sure about how/where Irvin fits/sticks. I feel he'd get snaps early and often. If Pride fully clicks, he's got an athletic skill set that will be hard to beat. Is Watkins back? Lot of experience there, same with Coleman and then there's Donte Vaughn which is a total enigma. His film says he good vs the slot and as a FS. So if being the #2 nickel is in the 2 deep, yes... I think he's got a good shot at opening the #2 in that package. Would I bet that he's a #2 outside CB day 1? No but it wouldn't shock me.

If you're listening to BK, it sounds like Gilman is the #1 Whip next year. Robertson is right there, Griffith has to end up there I'd think. Lot's of talent. If I had to guess, Gilman will be a bridge until Griffith is the #1 and that might not happen until 2019.



I'd bet all the vbucks ever issued. I think he'll be the passing down Stud from Day 1. Sounds like JGH is being counted on at Stud next season and he's no dog vs the pass. He's good film as a FS and now he's 220+. I hope they are able to use both.

I've been hoping some guys in the secondary would transfer to make room moving forward for upgrades, now I'm hoping the staff can juggle all the talent, find snaps for them and keep them happy. My how things have changed.

Thanks NDC
Didn't hear what BK had to say, but thought Gilman would end up at Strong, and Allen at FS given his CB history. Guess i was wrong lol, hence the Qs. I really hope HG gets a shot, and works out at CB. We seem to have 2 proven guys in Gilman and Love, and two unproven, but assumed monsters coming in (HG and Allen). Would love to see all 4 on the field at the same time.

I really don't know what to make of the of the rest. A lot of experience but a lot of ups and downs.

 

[BobbyMac]

Thanks NDC
Didn't hear what BK had to say, but thought Gilman would end up at Strong, and Allen at FS given his CB history. Guess i was wrong lol, hence the Qs. I really hope HG gets a shot, and works out at CB. We seem to have 2 proven guys in Gilman and Love, and two unproven, but assumed monsters coming in (HG and Allen). Would love to see all 4 on the field at the same time.

I really don't know what to make of the of the rest. A lot of experience but a lot of ups and downs.

You may not be wrong about Allen. i meant to say he might be the FS but his body is pushing him to Stud. He's a big kid. Had he stayed 185, no doubt he's a CB... was a Top 5 corner when we started following him.

If it ended up the other way around and a 210lb Griffith was the Stud and a 210lb Allen is the FS it wouldn't shock me. They're interchangeable and Griffith has big boy jeans too. I think either could be the Rover if they needed to be but that seems taken care of.

With Gilman, his play made me think he'd be the Stud early on but pretty sure I read Whip is his target or at least that's what I've been going on. He's not the biggest guy nor do i think he'll bring the pass coverage skills that an Allen/Griffith/Irvin will. I just picture him away from the line, flying in and crushing people. Like a bigger Fertitta playing a second SS from the FS position. Just have to think Allen/Griffith end up the #1's.

Ton of flexibility, ton of talent, ton of options = a ton of speculation. If I'm 2/3 right on all this I'll take it!

 

[Irish YJ]

You may not be wrong about Allen. i meant to say he might be the FS but his body is pushing him to Stud. He's a big kid. Had he stayed 185, no doubt he's a CB... was a Top 5 corner when we started following him.

If it ended up the other way around and a 210lb Griffith was the Stud and a 210lb Allen is the FS it wouldn't shock me. They're interchangeable and Griffith has big boy jeans too. I think either could be the Rover if they needed to be but that seems taken care of.

With Gilman, his play made me think he'd be the Stud early on but pretty sure I read Whip is his target or at least that's what I've been going on. He's not the biggest guy nor do i think he'll bring the pass coverage skills that an Allen/Griffith/Irvin will. I just picture him away from the line, flying in and crushing people. Like a bigger Fertitta playing a second SS from the FS position. Just have to think Allen/Griffith end up the #1's.

Ton of flexibility, ton of talent, ton of options = a ton of speculation. If I'm 2/3 right on all this I'll take it!

I'm just happy we have the talent now to speculate .
I can't wait to see what Gilman can do. Hope the year off didn't screw him up.
Overall I'm crazy excited about the 2018 D overall. Can't wait to see Ademilola. Hoping Coney, Tillery, and Drue stay home.