Our Scouting Report Series continues where we break down the top prospects for the 2021 NFL draft. Today, we are talking about a top safety prospect. Before you go on, be sure to check out any of our previous scouting reports you might have missed!

QB RB WR TE OL EDGE IDL LB CB S
Justin Fields N/A Ja’Marr Chase Kyle Pitts Penei Sewell N/A N/A Chazz Surratt Patrick Surtain II Jevon Holland
Zach Wilson   DeVonta Smith   Creed Humphrey       Caleb Farley  
Trey Lance                  

Measurables and Numbers 

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 208 pounds

A look at Trevon Moehrig’s College Performance

Moehrig was a 3-star recruit from Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas. He received offers from several Power 5 schools before ultimately signing with Texas Christian University.  

Moehrig played as a true freshman, primarily on special teams. He was voted TCU’s MVP on special teams by his teammates. In his sophomore season, Moehrig played in 12 games at safety with 62 tackles and 1.5 TFL. He also snatched 4 interceptions and broke up 11 passes. Last season, he recorded 2 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, 47 tackles, and 2 tackles for loss in 10 games. He earned All-Big 12 First-Team honors for both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Current Draft Projection

PFF – 17th overall/SAF1

Daniel Jeremiah – 16th overall/SAF1

The Draft Network – 48th overall/SAF2

Strengths

Athleticism

Moehrig is a top athlete at the safety position with great speed and smooth transitions from pedal to attacking receivers. Primarily deployed as a single high safety at TCU, Moehrig has the range to cover from number to number out of such a scheme.  

Football IQ

Often NFL coaches are able to make prospects appear faster than they really are by coaching up their instincts and processing of route combinations. I do not think that will be the case with Moehrig, who possesses elite instincts already. He often reads opposing plays and knows where the QB is going to attack before the QB does. He ran the back end of the defense for TCU and was great at watching routes develop before triggering downhill to close throwing windows.  

Ball Skills

Moehrig doesn’t just understand where the football is going, he makes great plays on the ball as well. With 7 interceptions in 2 years as a starter, his ball skills rank near the top of the class. He is great at the catch point, fully extending to break up passes that he can’t intercept outright. Simply put, Moehrig is a turnover looking for a place to happen.

Coverage Versatility 

Moehrig’s most common deployment in college was as a single high safety in either Cover 3 or Cover 1. He also garnered some experience in split field safety looks and in man coverage. He is better as a zone defender than he is as a man defender, but that is more of a statement about his zone coverage abilities than his man coverage limitations. Zone coverage plays to his strengths, allowing him to read plays as they develop before attacking the ball at the catch point.  

In man coverage, Moehrig possesses the athleticism to match up with receivers but his overly aggressive playstyle makes him susceptible to double moves. He also lacks the eye discipline to look back for the ball in man coverage and much prefers to sit on the top of routes as a zone defender.

Weaknesses

Inconsistent Tackler

Moehrig can be a very physical tackler at times, but he is inconsistent in his technique, often resorting to throwing a shoulder into opposing ball carriers rather than wrapping up for the sure tackle.  

Run support 

As a single high safety, Moehrig avoided most responsibilities in run fits. When tasked with making plays in the run game, he was prone to taking bad angles or over pursuing the play. His ability to deconstruct blocks from offensive linemen leaves much to be desired.

Hyper Aggression

For better or for worse, Moehrig is a very aggressive player. On the good plays, it leads to impressive pass break-ups, violent tackles, and forced turnovers. On the bad plays, it leads to big plays for the offense. He never doubts what he is processing on the field and never hesitates to act on the information. While you would rather a player be aggressive than tentative, coaches may try to get him to dial back his aggression situationally.

Summary

Moehrig is likely the best safety in the draft but there is no doubt that he is easily the best single high safety prospect. His blend of instincts and athleticism will take him a long way in the NFL and he projects most favorably as a free safety in a single high defensive scheme.

Fit With The Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles can use help all over the backside of their defense. Rodney McLeod is aging and coming off of yet another major injury while Jalen Mills is currently a free agent and has limited upside at the safety position. However, in my view, Morhrig is unlikely to be available when the Eagles pick in the 2nd round and does not fit with Jonathan Gannon’s expected split field safety scheme. Moehrig is fully capable of playing in a split field scheme in the same way that a Ferrari is fully capable of getting me to the grocery store: it can get the job done but it would be a tremendous waste of potential. While I would be elated with Moehrig suiting up in midnight green next fall, I wouldn’t hold my breath on such a talented player slipping to the 2nd round.

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