2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Leon O'Neal
- Position: Safety
- School: Texas A&M
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 210lbs
Film Watched: Alabama 2021, Kent State 2021
Pro's:
- Robust safety with good muscle mass proportioned through his frame
- Big hitter; enters the point of contact with bad intentions, and has the play strength to back it up
- Excellent burst to fire down towards the football and make a play
- Demonstrates good instincts – has a knack for locating the ball carrier in the backfield
- Good linear speed allows him to cover impressive ground as he races downhill
- A serious backfield threat. Knows how to get through the LOS, with ten tackles for a loss on his resume
- Workhorse – plays with maximum effort on each play. Always seems to be around the football
- Able to operate shallow zones in pass coverage, and has six interceptions in his Aggie career
Leon O'Neal Jr. is a SS prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 6.01 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 337 out of 843 SS from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/0EAVqhp4ew #RAS pic.twitter.com/4LOjU9i4H4
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 8, 2022
Con's:
- Reckless. Boom or bust tackler who always goes for the big hit, but sometimes comes up snake eyes
- Thunderous over-pursuit leaves the back door open for cutbacks from shifty ball carriers
- Change of direction speed exposed by quick slot receivers running routes with sharp breaks
- Offers more separation as routes develop, and doesn’t possess the elite quicks to recover
- Lacking a little top-end speed, and single high safety duties might be beyond his athletic profile
The Verdict:
“Leon O’Neal was highly recruited coming out of high school. Landing in College Station, O’Neal saw spotty gametime as a freshman before becoming a three year starter for the Aggies in 2019. Brooding with physicality and aggression, O’Neal is an intimidating presence in the backfield, and isn’t afraid to blur the line between competitive and unsportsmanlike; his tape is littered with flags, including two back to back fifteen yard penalties in one game in 2020. But in between jawing with opponents, O’Neal is a big-effort run stuffing safety who loves to come downfield and stop a ball carrier in his tracks. O’Neal should be kept as close to the line of scrimmage as possible, and coaches will need to make sure he prioritises the tackle first and the hit second, but as a special teams ace and rotational strong safety he offers fair late round value.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: JR REED
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Rated 5 out of 5