Saints NFL Draft: Top 3 safety options in first round

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Quintez Cephus #87 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a pass against Jevon Holland #8 of the Oregon Ducks during the third quarter in the Rose Bowl game presented by Northwestern Mutual at Rose Bowl on January 01, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Jevon Holland, University of Oregon

Jevon Holland is a third-year player from the University of Oregon. Declining to go back for his senior season, Holland is looking to be the first safety drafting in the 2021 NFL Draft. According to CBS Sports, he is the No. 1 ranked safety.

Since Holland didn’t play in his junior year, we really only have two years of statistics to follow. In his freshman year, Holland totaled 42 tackles, six passes defended, and five interceptions. His sophomore year saw similar stats with 66 tackles.

Highest-graded CBs on 3rd/4th down since 2019:

💥 Ahmad Gardner, Cincy - 89.0
💥 Jevon Holland, Oregon - 86.0 pic.twitter.com/VyVUx0b376
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 30, 2021

Out of those 66 tackles, 4.5 were for a loss. He also added four passes defended and four interceptions with one touchdown. Holland has been projected to be the safety that is the readiest to come into the NFL, start, and make an immediate impact.

The biggest upside from Holland is that he can seamlessly fit into any defensive scheme. His best Saints comparison would be a slot safety like Gardner-Johnson. That type of versatility would allow Payton to use either Holland or CGJ in the slot at the other at the safety.

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