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New Orleans Saints 2016 NFL Draft Profile: Jeremy Cash

By Christian Lok

Oct 10, 2015; West Point, NY, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw (17) runs with the ball past Duke Blue Devils safety Jeremy Cash (16) during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; West Point, NY, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw (17) runs with the ball past Duke Blue Devils safety Jeremy Cash (16) during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /
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After the New Orleans Saints’ Rafael Bush left in free agency, the back-up safety position behind Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro became a need, and Jeremy Cash might be the answer.

We continue our draft profile series with Duke strong safety Jeremy Cash, who could help bring a physical style of play to the New Orleans Saints defense.

Measurables:
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 212 LBS
Arm length: 32 3/8 inches
Hands: 10 1/2 inches

Pro Day Results (did not participate in combine drills):
40-yard dash: 4.56-4.59 seconds
Vertical: 34 inches
Broad jump: 10’4 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.28 seconds

Analysis
Jeremy Cash is a psychical strong safety who spends most of his snaps near the line of scrimmage. He consistently makes big plays around the box and he is always looking to punish any opponent who comes at him.

His ability to shoot the gap and take up blockers in trenches makes him a valuable asset in the run game. He also plays with a relentless motor which can be seen in his massive tackle numbers at Duke, where he had 332 total tackles over a three-year span, including 38 tackles for a loss.

Outside of his ability to read the screen play, his coverage skills are a work in progress. He shows stiff hips and fails to chance direction with the receiver. He has a tendency to get caught watching when playing zone, and receivers punish him as a result.

Underneath you can watch how Cash constantly is around the football making plays:

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How he fits with the New Orleans Saints
With Rafael Bush signing with the Detroit Lions the New Orleans Saints’ backup safety spot is rather thin. Jeremy Cash could step in and fill that role if the Saints decide to draft him. Because of his coverage problems, he would be a sub-package player, which would allow him to play in the box and create havoc in the run game — something the Saints desperately need as they gave up a league high 4.9 yards per carry in 2015.

With Keenan Lewis coming back from injury and P.J. Williams potentially making an impact in the pass defense, that could allow Cash to develop his coverage skills and work his way onto the field as a hybrid safety-linebacker type player.

If the New Orleans Saints do improve the pass rush, Cash could potentially develop into a Kam Chancellor like playmaker, were his role would be chasing ball carriers, forcing turnovers and bringing physicality to the football field in the Big Easy. The Saints would have to spend a second or third-round pick to get him, but he could be an important piece in the Saints’ quest of improving the defense.

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