2023 NFL draft: 10 biggest defensive standouts from 2023 East-West Shrine & Senior Bowl weeks

#10. A.J. Finley, Ole Miss (Safety)

Ole Miss v Arkansas

Not just the cornerbacks, but really the entire defensive back group in Las Vegas had multiple standouts, which I listed a few at the bottom here. However, I ultimately settled on one guy (in that range of Ball State CB Nic Jones) who I believe will continue to rise in this pre-draft process among a safety group with a lot of varying opinions.

Across the past three seasons as a starter, Finley combined for 228 tackles, 6.5 of them for loss, eight interceptions, 13 PBUs, two fumbles forced and recovered each.

Measuring in at 6’2”, 202 pounds, Finley profiles as a matchup piece against tight-ends at the next level and that’s the area he excelled in all week. He chose a very hands-on when given the opportunity and was able to smoothly slide his feet in front of those bigger bodies.

When Finley was in soft press, I thought he showed great patience to not fall for head-fakes and try to lean with guys. Instead, he waited for them to commit on the release, in order to attach to their hip-pocket.

Going up against Central Michigan TE Joel Wilson on day three he did ultimately give up a catch on his final one-on-one of the whole week. But I actually came away more impressed with his eye-popping recovery burst after being leveraged outside on a drag/crossing route. Just once I really saw somebody run away from him (Houston FB/EDGE Derek Parish, of all the guys there) because he completely gambled on the break.

Finley also had several nice moments in team drills, doing a nice job of fighting over a mesh concept on day three once. His best one, however, probably came in the second practice. It was an outstanding interception when he was lined up in the slot and was responsible for the flats. He mid-pointed a flare/flat and deep out route and then flipped open to jump in front of the deeper route and pick off the pass.

Plus, he had another to end practice (which was more so gifted to him) on a great play by the linebacker knocking it to him, who he broke up a streak route to the tight-end. When used as a deep middle safety (in practice and a for stretches of the game), Finley did a nice job of playing everything top-down but not giving room just to be safe, rather than being ready to limit plays for little yards after catch. People took note, as he was voted DS of the Week for the East.

Other winners that are interesting NFL draft prospects

EDGEs – K.J. Henry (Clemson), B.J. Thompson (Stephen F. Austin) & Caleb Murphy (Ferris State)

IDL – Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern), Karl Brooks (Bowling Green) & Ikenna Enechukwu (Rice)

LBs – Aubrey Miller Jr. (Jackson State), Daiyan Henley (Washington State) & Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati) &

CBs – Darius Rush (South Carolina), Kyu Blu Kelly (Stanford), Kei’Trel Clark (Louisville) & Terell Smith (Minnesota)

SAFs – Jammie Robinson (Florida State), Art Green (Houston), Christian Young (Arizona) & Trey Dean III (Florida)

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