Josh Proctor 2024 NFL Draft Profile Ready
The 2024 NFL Draft profiles are flying in, and next up on the docket is Ohio State’s Josh Proctor. The Safety class in this year’s draft is lacking, with not a ton of depth to speak of. I’m not sure that Proctor is going to be a guy, but could he make a nice backup? Let’s talk about it.
Proctor, a four-star recruit, has been at Ohio State since 2018. He made one appearance in the 2022 Draft Stock series, but for the most part, he has been just a guy for the Buckeyes. He did save the best for last, though, finishing with a career-high in tackles (47) and passes defended (8). Never really been a ballhawk, finishing his career out with just three interceptions.
Josh Proctor has the frame you want when it comes to Safeties (6’1 1/2, 200 lbs). His long arms allow him to be disruptive when the ball is near. The backpedal looks smooth, never breaking stride and the pad level stays consistent, albeit sometimes running high. He won’t be the best tackling Safety in the class, but you’re less likely to see a broken tackle with Proctor than with others. Breaks on the ball with acceleration, playing quicker than he can fast.
But that can be an issue, too. He doesn’t have straight-line speed, making it hard for him to recover if he falls asleep in coverage, especially on deep balls. Part of the reason he has so few interceptions is because he doesn’t have the most reliable hands. Probably why he’s playing defense and not offense. I’d like to see him be more confident coming up and playing in the box. He is fine enough with tackling that he can do it.
I’m not super high on Josh Proctor, but I think he has some tools to warrant a roster spot, at least in camp. Might not have had a great NFL Combine, but the tools are there. He probably gets an undrafted grade from me, but if you used a seventh-round pick on him, I would get it. I’d at least be making the call to try and bring him into camp to be a body and see if he can earn a spot, but I’m not holding my breath.
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