T.J. McDonald Scouting Report

T.J. McDonald, following in his father's footsteps as an All-American safety at USC, is one of the top safety prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft. That family pedigree shows up on the field in an athlete with a very high football IQ.

While many free safeties in today's NFL are a touch undersized, with the new breed of high-flying passing games, safeties need to get bigger to take away tight ends and take away the deep ball. McDonald fits in that role at 6'2" and a frame that could still add at least another 10 pounds of mass.

McDonald really plays well in man-to-man coverage whether he's shadowing a tight end or lined up at or near the line against a slot receiver. His fluid hips and long frame will help him break up a great number of pass plays in his area. McDonald is above-average great against the run, but plays intelligently with instincts in his assignment. He has the frame to hold up when coming down into the box and looks like a slightly undersized linebacker.

His all-around game should carry him to be in the mix in the early rounds. McDonald projects as a fourth round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.