The safety position has not received the focus in the NFL Draft that other primary defensive positions receive each year. The position has become a secondary position with many cornerbacks converted to the position because of their pass coverage abilities.

Last spring, the first pure safety was not selected until the 39th player (Mike Brown), with only six chosen in the top 100 draft picks.

Most college safeties have little experience in man-to-man coverage and only play early if they land with a club that plays a heavy diet of zone coverage. Consequently, the position has few blue-chip performers drafted each spring with most of the highest rated players falling into the middle rounds.

Florida State's Derrick Gibson should be a first-round selection. (Allsport)

This year might be the exception.

Florida State safety Derrick Gibson is a blue-chip performer with all the measurables that NFL scouts look for in a prospect. He combines all the tools to be a first-round selection in April. He has the athletic talent to test out exceptionally well during the workout phase and could be off the board by the middle of the first round.

Both Robert Carswell of Clemson and Terrence Carroll of Oregon State are four-year starters who have performed at a high level over their careers. That consistency could warrant an early starting grade in the NFL and both players will be first day selections next spring.

Tony Driver of Notre Dame has improved his stock as much as any defensive back in the nation this fall. His fine speed, agility and smarts have pushed him up the charts significantly in a short period. With a big postseason performance, he could force his way into the early rounds and could possibly be the second safety chosen.

More draft analysis

Safeties

1. Derrick Gibson, Florida State
Senior, 6-2, 210
One of the best athletes in this year's senior class. He has the athletic talent to star at either safety spot combining size, speed and power.

Clemson's Robert Carswell is a four-year starter. (Allsport)

2. Robert Carswell, Clemson
Senior, 5-11, 215
Athletic safety has been a four-year starter for the Tigers and is a big reason they are back among the best defenses in the ACC.

3. Terrence Carroll, Oregon State
Senior, 6-0, 210
Tough senior safety has been a mainstay in the Beavers' secondary since his freshman year. He fills the hole like a linebacker, combining hitting power and sure tackling.

4. Jarrod Cooper, Kansas State
Senior, 6-1, 215
Big hard-hitting safety has been one of the key defenders in the Wildcats' highly rated defense. He is a strong tackler with the speed and range to go sideline to sideline.

5. Tony Driver, Notre Dame
Senior, 6-1, 210
Athletic senior has taken his game up a few levels this season. He is always around the ball whether in run support or pass coverage to make plays. He could move up even further in the postseason.

6. Marlon McCree, Kentucky
Senior, 5-11, 195
Rover linebacker will move to safety in the NFL after a fine career in the SEC. He is a powerfully built athlete with the burst to the ball and the strong tackling skills to finish plays consistently.

7. Al Blades, Miami (Fla.)
Senior, 6-1, 200
Hard-hitting safety has been a steady performer in the Miami secondary the past three seasons. He is a fierce hitter in run support and has the agility and speed to cover in man situations but needs further refinement in that area.

8. Adam Achuleta, Arizona State
Senior, 6-0, 210
Attack linebacker has been one of the big-play defenders in the Pac-10 over the past three seasons. He will move to strong safety in the NFL where his tackling and ability to blitz off the edge will be best utilized.

9. T.J. Thacher, Oklahoma
Senior, 5-11, 210
Big-play defender has been instrumental in the Sooners' rise to the top of the national rankings. He has a nose for the ball, using his fine speed and range to make plays sideline to sideline.

10. Carl Nesmith, Kansas
Senior, 6-1, 210
Big athletic safety is a strong tackler with the ability to get off blockers and bring down runners. He is a solid strong safety prospect entering the postseason, but needs work in pass coverage.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 10 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL minicamps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.