Oakland Raiders: Ranking the top ten safeties in the 2016 NFL Draft

Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Nick Wilson is tackled by Boise State Broncos safety Darian Thompson (4) in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Nick Wilson is tackled by Boise State Broncos safety Darian Thompson (4) in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad tight end Jerell Adams of South Carolina (89) is tackled by North squad safety Miles Killebrew of Southern Utah (25) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad tight end Jerell Adams of South Carolina (89) is tackled by North squad safety Miles Killebrew of Southern Utah (25) in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah

Unlike Mills, former Southern Utah product Miles Killebrew is a violent in-the-box safety with a knack for punishing ball carriers near the line of scrimmage. Also, Killebrew is one of the more reliable tackling safeties in this class, for he doesn’t always prioritize the big hit over securing the tackle. At 6’2”, 217 pounds, Killebrew is built like a bowling ball in terms of his compact muscular frame.

With Killebrew playing in the Big Sky Conference, there are some concerns that he will struggle to adjust to the speed of the NFL. Also, his inexperience and lack of polish in coverage will limit him as an in-the-box safety or outside linebacker, but he still has place at the next level as an extra run defender in the secondary on early downs.

Given his lack of coverage skills, Killebrew wouldn’t necessarily fill a need for Oakland, but with the Raiders lacking quality run defenders on defense, Oakland would benefit from his presence in the box.

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