Inconsistent: University of Minnesota Safety Tyler Nubin

That’s the last word anybody wants to hear in the NFL about a safety, but it perfectly describes Gophers’ safety Tyler Nubin.

No doubt, one of the more challenging evaluations, because he ‘flashes,’ ability, but his full body of work didn’t cut it on these four games in 2022.

For two years, I wrote for Sports Illustrated Detroit Lions (2020-2022) and it was nothing but losing records and safeties who played just like how Nubin looked on this block of game film study. That’s what went through my mind while watching him play.

Thanks, but no thanks.

How did Nubin look in pass coverage?

The one thing Nubin can do is run. The inconsistent motor doesn’t serve him well, but he can run when he feels like it.

While he did make an interception and break up a couple of passes in these four games, more often he was an ‘arrive after the catch’ defensive back.

The main issue here is one of the critical functions of safeties is having the ability to provide ‘help over the top’ (meaning get over to deeper sideline routes in time to help the cornerback defend the pass in coverage) and despite his ability to move around, Nubin struggled to do so.

Got to be able to stop the run

Another huge part of being a safety is having the ability to stop the run. After all, the safeties are the last line of defense.

Nubin is inconsistent at best in this department. He did show he could knife in when left unblocked and make tackles for a loss (which was intriguing), but then there are other times when he’s far more reluctant and either waits to get involved until the action reaches him downfield or skips it altogether.

The other thing about Nubin is he’s not a sure tackler, which is another strike against him. He’s more of a hitter than a tackler. There are times he does come in low and wrap up, but that’s not the norm.

Nubin also tends to take bad angles at times.

It all adds up to nothing but frustration.

Workout warrior

Nubin is exactly the type of prospect whose stock will go up from the time the season ends to draft time. That’s because, with his athleticism and pure speed, he’s bound to perform well at the NFL Scouting Combine and at his pro day.

That’s when NFL teams tend to fall in love with raw physical ‘traits,’ and allow that part of the evaluation process to trump what the prospect actually put on his game film.

To be honest, I don’t hardly watch the NFL Combine or the pro days. I would much rather see the game film and that’s what I spend most of my days doing. Those off-season events can be a piece to the evaluation process (especially the interviews), but I believe this is the time of the year when a lot of over-grading mistakes are made.

Teams need to stay focused on Nubin’s game film. That’s where the level of ‘want’ shows up.

#27 Tyler Nubin 6-foot-2, 210 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: Fourth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 19.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 24, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Game film reviewed (2022): Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois, and Iowa (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 55 tackles (37 solo), 1 forced fumble, 3 passes defended and 4 interceptions

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic safety with good straight-line speed, but has a sputtering motor. Often lines up as the deep safety and plays that role coming downhill and ending up by the tackling pile in support after the fact. Did show the ability to torpedo in and make blow-up tackle-for-loss plays (vs. run) when left unblocked. Inconsistent and an undependable tackler. Tendency to overpursue and occasionally take bad angles. Sometimes more reluctant and put it on cruise control on active plays. Needs to be kept clean on blitzes to produce pressure. Can run with tight ends and backs in man coverage. Questionable instincts and deep range. Can make a splash play here and there, but then is average the rest of the time.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Consistency?

2. Does he take bad angles in pursuit?

3. Does he give up on plays?

4. Sure tackler?

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 is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.