Steven Van Over
Obi Melifonwu NFL Draft Profile
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STL Audio Post
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Obi Melifonwu – Safety – Connecticut AAC
DOB – 05 Apr 1994
Height – 6’4
Weight – 224 lbs
Click Here for NFL Combine Stats
Strengths:
You can’t teach size nor speed. Melifonwu has them both. A four year starter at Connecticut Obi has improved each year. A downhill, inside the box, tackling machine the talented safety is no slouch when it comes to ball hawking either tabbing six interceptions over the last two years. Having experience at CB is never a bad thing and Obi uses his size and wing span to deny tight ends up the seam. A thumper who sees the game in front of him very well.
Weaknesses:
Not a natural cornerback. Plays best with the game in front of him. Though he has the speed doesn’t take the best angles when the play moves behind him which allows deep balls up the sideline to get away from him. Conversely he takes excellent angles when he is closing in front. Has better run-thumper instincts than pass coverage skills. Gets caught thinking in the passing game. Plays slower than his timed speed.
Pro Comparison:
Kam Chancellor
Overall Review:
The Seattle Seahawks had their eyes glued to Obi during the combine and the comparisons are obvious with what the ‘Hawks want for their defensive backfield. The rest of the NFL has caught on however to the newer template at DB which puts plenty of teams in competition with Seattle who want to add this chess piece to their own boards. In a classic case of expectation management teams expecting a ball-hawking safety will probably be disappointed. Though his metrics scream free safety with sideline-to-sideline range in reality Melifonwu has been at his best when filling the roll of downhill-inside-the-box-safety. A high ceiling and floor this DB is climbing draft boards and will probably settle in somewhere at the bottom of the first round, top of the second.
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8 Comments Obi Melifonwu NFL Draft Profile
Lee1936
Steven, just tell me this. Will I ever again see a star-quality Safety playing for the Cowboys?
Steven Van Over
Man … that is the $64,000 question isn’t it? It would change the defense into something to be feared IMO …
Lee1936
Ha! That sounds like NO. At least, not in the Jason Garrett era. I wouldn’t be surprised if our first pick is an ORT.
Steven Van Over
I know they’ve had safeties high on their draft board before. The draft didn’t fall the right way for them to get tabbed. But look at Byron … they are willing to spend the currency. Some really good ones available this year. Fingers are crossed!
Lee1936
Steven, just tell me this. Will I ever again see a star-quality Safety playing for the Cowboys?
Steven Van Over
Man … that is the $64,000 question isn’t it? It would change the defense into something to be feared IMO …
Lee1936
Ha! That sounds like NO. At least, not in the Jason Garrett era.
Steven Van Over
I know they’ve had safeties high on their draft board before. The draft didn’t fall the right way for them to get tabbed. But look at Byron … they are willing to spend the currency. Some really good ones available this year. Fingers are crossed!