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Draft Sleeper To Watch For - Safety Obi Melifonwu

Saca312

By Saca312,
in Carolina Panthers

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Saca312 Experienced

Saca312

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Throughout this long and tedious off-season, I will be presenting a couple names that may not be all too familiar. 

These players are guys I believe have a ton of potential. They aren't mainstream, big-name type of guys, but the kind of men that will make a huge impact with coaching and hard work.

Today, I present to you a safety you probably know very little - if at all - about; Obi Melifonwu.

Not only is his name freakish, but his athletic potential is eye-gawking.

At 6-3, 220 lbs, he's got a good frame as a strong safety. Coming from UConn, there's virtually no highlights for this guy, who yet leads his team with interceptions (4) and tackles (118).

Now, one thing that separates this guy from the pack is his amazing athleticism. As Daniel Jeremiah heard from an NFL scout:

Quote

Executive 2: UConn safety Obi Melifonwu
"The UConn safety is really intriguing. He's freaky athletic and he's going to put up big-time testing numbers. He'll run low 4.4s (in the 40-yard dash) and jump over 40 inches. He can play in the slot as well. Huge upside."

This is a 6 foot 3 inch 220lb freak that can run a 4.4 and jump over 40 inches. That right there should raise some heads. If he can replicate something similar to such during the combine, you can probably expect his stock to rise.

His coach at UConn compares him to Kam Chancellor, and expects this guy to become one of the best soon.

He appears to have great range, closing ability, and wrap-up tackling. He showcases solid tackling form, and a knack to making plays. He's certainly not perfect, as some scouts would note, but his upside is tremendous. He's ranked from anywhere from the 3rd round to as low as the 6th, but with upside to even break into as far up as the first round.

So, what makes this guy intriguing? Well, here's some plays of his:

1. He's One Heck Of A Tackler

giphy.gif

Obi Melifonwu breaks on the ball and forces an incompletion, coming from around mid-field. He shows manly physicality with his huge hit, intelligence with diagnosing the play, and speed to make a play. He brings all these quality traits together to deliver and prevent a big play.

He's definitely got the physical traits to be successful.

2. His Coverage Is Fantastic

giphy.gif

In the slot, Obi stays tight with his slot receiver, showcasing textbook coverage and breaking up the ball. He stuck like glue to his guy, and made a good play on the ball. Not many can combine such a frame with this coverage ability, but Obi does it effortlessly.

He's certainly got a lot of potential to wreck havoc in the NFL.

3. He's A Speeding Train

giphy.gif

In this replay, Obi comes out of nowhere, speeding in between tackles, to come smash down the runningback to no-gain. He shows amazing speed and great tackling form to smack down this runningback from making an impact. He shows yet again his great football IQ in diagnosing the play and figuring out a way to smash down the runningback.

He's certainly a physical beast.

Bottom-Line

This kid is certainly a name to watch. In a draft full of Jamal Adams and Malik Hookers, Obi is one who is overshadowed by big-name safeties. However, with huge upside physically, and possible breakout performance at the combine, he may become a surprise 2nd rounder instead of a 4th-6th prospect.

Keep an eye on him. Although he's not that noticed, he's a guy who'd provide great value as soon as the 3rd round.

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ecu88 Newbie

ecu88

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3 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

Throughout this long and tedious off-season, I will be presenting a couple names that may not be all too familiar. 

These players are guys I believe have a ton of potential. They aren't mainstream, big-name type of guys, but the kind of men that will make a huge impact with coaching and hard work.

Today, I present to you a safety you probably know very little - if at all - about; Obi Melifonwu.

Not only is his name freakish, but his athletic potential is eye-gawking.

At 6-3, 220 lbs, he's got a good frame as a strong safety. Coming from UConn, there's virtually no highlights for this guy, who yet leads his team with interceptions (4) and tackles (118).

Now, one thing that separates this guy from the pack is his amazing athleticism. As Daniel Jeremiah heard from an NFL scout:

This is a 6 foot 3 inch 220lb freak that can run a 4.4 and jump over 40 inches. That right there should raise some heads. If he can replicate something similar to such during the combine, you can probably expect his stock to rise.

His coach at UConn compares him to Kam Chancellor, and expects this guy to become one of the best soon.

He appears to have great range, closing ability, and wrap-up tackling. He showcases solid tackling form, and a knack to making plays. He's certainly not perfect, as some scouts would note, but his upside is tremendous. He's ranked from anywhere from the 3rd round to as low as the 6th, but with upside to even break into as far up as the first round.

So, what makes this guy intriguing? Well, here's some plays of his:

1. He's One Heck Of A Tackler

giphy.gif

Obi Melifonwu breaks on the ball and forces an incompletion, coming from around mid-field. He shows manly physicality with his huge hit, intelligence with diagnosing the play, and speed to make a play. He brings all these quality traits together to deliver and prevent a big play.

He's definitely got the physical traits to be successful.

2. His Coverage Is Fantastic

giphy.gif

In the slot, Obi stays tight with his slot receiver, showcasing textbook coverage and breaking up the ball. He stuck like glue to his guy, and made a good play on the ball. Not many can combine such a frame with this coverage ability, but Obi does it effortlessly.

He's certainly got a lot of potential to wreck havoc in the NFL.

3. He's A Speeding Train

giphy.gif

In this replay, Obi comes out of nowhere, speeding in between tackles, to come smash down the runningback to no-gain. He shows amazing speed and great tackling form to smack down this runningback from making an impact. He shows yet again his great football IQ in diagnosing the play and figuring out a way to smash down the runningback.

He's certainly a physical beast.

Bottom-Line

This kid is certainly a name to watch. In a draft full of Jamal Adams and Malik Hookers, Obi is one who is overshadowed by big-name safeties. However, with huge upside physically, and possible breakout performance at the combine, he may become a surprise 2nd rounder instead of a 4th-6th prospect.

Keep an eye on him. Although he's not that noticed, he's a guy who'd provide great value as soon as the 3rd round.

Storm Norton is my sleeper as a 4th rd pick. Solid OL playing in the East West game.

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Saca312 Experienced

Saca312

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8 minutes ago, Daddy_Uncle said:

6'3 220? We'd make him a LB

He's got the speed to play safety with a big body though. Don't think he'd transition as naturally to linebacker as you think.

Then again, who knows with our love for converting safeties to linebackers.

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