Green Bay Packers Visit w/ Penn State S Jaquan Brisker

When discussing what the Green Bay Packers’ biggest positional needs are entering the draft, safety may not come to mind immediately—after all, Green Bay does still have Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage.

However, there are two main reasons why safety could absolutely be an early-round pick for the Green Bay Packers.

Although we don’t see as many three safety looks under Joe Barry, Henry Black — the Packers’ primary third safety in 2021, who is no longer with the team — was still on the field for about 300 snaps. The current on the roster options for that role have just 90 combined NFL snaps between them.

The other reason safety is a need is because right now, Vernon Scott is the only player at the position who is under contract beyond 2022–and as we all know, the draft is also about planning ahead.

Given all of this, addressing safety at some point should be on Brian Gutekunst’s radar. And if the Packers are looking to do so early on, one name to know is Jaquan Brisker of Penn State, who, according to David Wyatt-Hupton, met with the team earlier this month.

Brisker measures in at 6’1” – 199 pounds and posted a RAS of 9.14–including a 4.49-second 40-yard dash. He has three years of playing experience at Penn State, totaling 1,682 snaps, with 786 coming this past season, according to PFF ($$). During that span, he would total eight pressures, allow a completion rate of 56% on 55 targets with five interceptions and 10 pass breakups.

The safety position in Barry’s defense is tasked with several responsibilities, one of which includes being very active against the run with how often lightboxes are utilized. Brisker is aggressive, and a sound tackler when it comes to the run game, and for what it’s worth, his run defense grade in 2020 from PFF ranked sixth among all safeties.

As evidenced by his career completion percentage, Brisker is very capable in coverage as well—even ranking fifth among all safeties this past season in coverage grade after allowing a completion rate of 57% and only 8.8 yards per catch.

Brisker also brings versatility, having lined up in the box 688 times while taking another 622 snaps as the free safety and 318 from the slot.

For more on Brisker’s game, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say:

"“Athletic safety prospect whose versatility and toughness will endear him to coaches during the evaluation process. Brisker continued to pick up elements of the defensive scheme and his play has steadily transformed from hesitant in 2019 to downright instinctive in 2021. He has the versatility to become a moving chess piece in a variety of coverages and has the size and talent to match up with both “Y” and “F” tight ends. He played with a banged-up shoulder in 2021 so his 2020 tape is a clearer indicator of his run support acumen. Brisker is an ascending talent with the NFL traits to become a long-time starter as a Day 2 draft pick.”"

Now for an additional perspective, here is what Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network wrote:

"“Positives: Athletic safety with good size and a complete game. Resilient, tough, and works hard to get off blocks and make plays against the run. Plays heads-up football, quickly picks up coverage assignments, and has an explosive burst to the ball. Tracks the pass in the air, effectively works with cornerbacks to bracket receivers, and possesses excellent ball skills. Stays downfield with opponents in coverage, gets his head back around, and locates the ball in the air. Fires upfield, works to get off blocks, and sells out on the blitz.Negatives: Shows some hesitation in his game. Lacks elite speed and a second gear.Analysis: Brisker is a terrific all-around safety who does not have mental lapses on the field. He aggressively defends the run while holding his own in coverage, and he offers starting potential at the next level for a variety of defensive schemes.”"

The Green Bay Packers could very well be looking for the future of the safety position in this year’s draft, and Brisker checks a lot of boxes that teams desire. He’s athletic, versatile, a willing run defender and tackler, as well as stout in coverage.