Don’t Sleep On Damon Webb He Could Be The Redskins 3rd Safety In Sub Packages

Damon Webb, S
School: Ohio State | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 209 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 5th Round or 6th Round
NFL Comparison: D.J. Swearinger

College Statistics

Player Overview

Damon Webb was a 4-star prospect from Detroit, Michigan and chose to go to Ohio State over offers he received from Michigan, Alabama, and Michigan State to name a few. Webb started his career at Ohio State as a corner and played the position before he was moved to safety his junior year in 2016. He played alongside Malik Hooker that year and this past year moved into Hooker’s former role. I think he is one of the more underrated safety prospects in this draft. He is not the best athlete and he has some stiffness in his movements and some may argue that he is a bit undersized for the position but his instincts and football IQ are great and he is a productive player who will make opportunities for himself and take advantage of those that come to him. He has improved his play each year at his new position and still can improve. He plays well in deep zone coverage and has good enough range and athleticism to be a factor as a single high or in two-deep coverage. Webb also is a solid tackler and has good ball skills and can create turnovers. Webb should find plenty of work as a reserve safety, special teams, player and possibly the 3rd safety on the field in sub packages.

Strengths

• Smart, anticipatory, and instinctive player. Can read the QBs eyes and make breaks on the ball. Provides urgent quick safety help to his corners.
• Hands are reliable and he has good ball skills.
• Good overall tackler who can come down from coverage and provide support. Able to make stops in the open field.
• Zone coverage is reliable with enough athleticism to play deep coverage and provide support. He improved each year he played the safety position.

Weaknesses

• Average athleticism may prevent him from a starting role. Shorter than the ideal FS prospect but built like a box safety and frame is probably close to max.
• Fluidity and change of direction are a bit labored. Pursuit angles are too rounded at times.
• Lacks length to really help with pass deflections.
• Needs improvement in coverage technique since it will be more difficult to defend with his limited leaping ability, speed, and length.

Let’s see his work:

More Damon Webb videos

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Damon Webb ought to be able to help the Redskins immediately as a special teams player. He is hungry and eager to make tackles on the field. Webb’s athleticism will limit him to certain coverages and schemes but I think he can provide great value as a backup and potentially a third safety on the field in zone coverage. In other subpackage situations, I could even see Webb playing some nickel ‘corner’. I don't think he’s gotten enough credit in this process as a coverage defender and considering what he can do with his limited athleticism. He is a bit undersized in terms of height and length but he is a competitor and always seems to be in a position to affect the play. His instincts and anticipation will put him in good positions and he has the skill set to pick off passes and make key stops. I think he still needs some work with his fundamentals and technique in coverage but I think his trajectory is pointing up considering he’s only been playing the position for two seasons. I’d love to get him in the building with coach Gray to see how much further he can develop.