Nov 10, 2015; Mount Pleasant, MI, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) runs the ball at Central Michigan Chippewas defensive back Kavon Frazier (5) during the fourth quarter at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Rockets win 28-23. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Despite his limitations playing over the top as a centerfielder, Central Michigan safety Kavon Frazier displays the competitive toughness, physicality, and quickness required to carve out a niche as a potential starter in a hybrid role at the next level.

As we get closer and closer to the 2016 NFL Draft, the volume of players I’d like to provide you with at least some analysis of looms large. Enter our new mini-scouting reports, laid out very simply with strengths, weaknesses, scheme fit, and a general overview of the player, before finally offering you a round grade. These reports will be brief, informative and to the point, covering second and third day prospects in the upcoming draft. I’ll continue to produce lengthier reports with more visual features for players expected to be taken higher in the draft.

SS Kavon Frazier

College: Central Michigan
Year: Senior
Birth Year: 1994
Height: 5-11
Weight: 217
Arm Length: 32 1/4
Hand Size: 9″

Combine Results

40 Time: 4.58*
Bench: 18
Vertical: 40.5*
Broad: 128″*
3-Cone: 6.88*
Short Shuttle: 4.40*
60-yard Shuttle: N/A

* Times were done at Central Michigan’s pro day, not at the Combine as he was limited to just the bench press after a foot injury.

Pros

Built like a truck, and plays like one as well with his physicality and aggression coming downhill. Reliable open-field tackler, leading his team in that category this season with 108 tackles. Difficult to block because of his quickness and strength to find his way to the ball carrier. Sees the entire field with excellent ball recognition and awareness. Plays everything well in front of him, reacting quickly to underneath routes. Always around the ball with his consistent playmaking ability. Has shown the stop/start quickness to cover tight ends effectively in man coverage. Coaches at Central Michigan rave about his special teams value.

Cons

Has the athleticism and range to get over the top quickly, but is stiff in his change of direction. Becomes too aggressive when coming downhill, leading to poor angles and a lack of balance when breaking down. Impatient in terms of contain as he will crash inside and lose the outside leverage. Easily tricked by a quarterback with his lack of eye discipline, which could be a result of his aggressive mentality. Doctors discovered a stress fracture in his foot at the Combine, leading some to believe that he played on it all season. However, he was fully cleared to participate at his pro day.

Analysis

When looking at Central Michigan safety Kavon Frazier, he undoubtedly passes the eye test with his combination of height, weight, and speed, but his limitations in zone coverage could be alarming to some teams. If he is going to be effective in zone coverage at the next level, he must be able to stay patient in his reads and decipher the quarterback’s intentions quicker. What Frazier brings to the table that some of these other safety prospects do not is that he is ready to play right away with his reliability as an open-field tackler, physicality at the POA, and nose for the football with his playmaking skills. If a team uses him close to LOS as a box safety or potential hybrid linebacker in some schemes, he can maximize his strengths as a heat-seeking missile in run support, but he can also mask the limitations he showed as a centerfielder at Central Michigan. Coaches will love his playing style, aggression, and versatility, which could lead to him earning early playing time as a rookie, both defensively in a hybrid safety/linebacker role, and on special teams as a “Tasmanian Devil” kind of player.

Grade: Late 3rd Round