Former NFL Scout Says Brandon Joseph Looks Like Fool’s Gold

Brandon Joseph transferred from Northwestern to Notre Dame prior to the 2022 season, but wow did he look bad last year.

Any NFL team that is considering drafting Joseph owes it to themselves to turn on the Northwestern and Michigan State game in 2021.

Joseph flat out quit on four Spartan touchdown runs. He wanted nothing to do with goal-line defense.

It would have been better had he bought a ticket to the game and cheered for Michigan State. I ran out of room in my notes in the negative columns.

Joseph should not be invited to an NFL camp based on what he put on his football resume in these three games in 2021.

Joseph is a poor tackler

The safeties are the last line of defense, and they have to be able to secure tackles.

Joseph is a hit and miss hitter, who literally bounced off a Wisconsin running back on his way to the end zone.

He looks like he lacks physical strength to wrap up. Often, he came in too high, too low and looked downright awkward at times trying to make tackles.

Went out of his way to avoid making stops

This is where I have a real problem with Joseph as an evaluator.

It’s one thing for a prospect to give it his all, but not be able to make the play.

It is something completely different when a prospect consistently goes out of his way to avoid being involved.

There were a number of plays when he took a bad angle or when he would noticeably go out of his way to take on blockers instead of pursuing the ball carrier.

Not a playmaker in pass coverage

Joseph played a lot of centerfield – – and liked to drop out of the picture.

He arrived after the catch had been made and the damage had been done.

Joseph was consistently late getting in position to help corners, whether in the deep middle or over the top deep down the sidelines.

What game film are other NFL Draft platforms watching?

Respectfully, it is downright shocking to me that there are draft platforms out there putting a first-round grade on Joseph.

Fansided, Pro Football Network, NBC Sports Chicago, Draftwire, The Sporting News, 247Sports, Sports Illustrated, CBS, SBNation, Bleacher Report and The San Diego Union Tribune all gave him a first-round grade.

🚩I’ve never seen a more reluctant and weak effort from a safety on game film in 40 years🚩

#16 Brandon Joseph 6-foot-1, 196 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Undraftable Free Agent (UFA) – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 27.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 1, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 Northwestern game film reviewed: Duke, Michigan State and Wisconsin (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: Moderate

2021 stats: 79 tackles (54 solo and 25 assists), 4 passes defended, 3 INT., 1 sack

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic, good sized lanky frame with long arms and decent one-gear speed, but he is super reluctant. Lacks motor and effort. Deeper and single high safety who softly shadowed best in man coverage against slot receivers, tight-ends and backs, but did not make any plays on the ball. At best, he is an “after-the-fact” defender. Below average providing support in the passing game and late/hesitant to provide help in coverage. Range is unimpressive. Reluctantly will get in on the tackle (or try to) if he must after receptions. Wants little to nothing to do with providing run support and he has below average tackling strength and technique. Bad tackler who constantly shied away and backed down for ball carriers. He is absolutely not the type of prospect who will move the meter at the next level.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. What does he look like in pass coverage?
2. How does his range look providing help?
3. Can he tackle?
4. Does he back down from the running game?

If I was an NFL General Manager, I would rather play with 10 men on the field than have Joseph lined up at safety on my team.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.