New York Jets Draft Profile: Kenny Vaccaro

Feb 26, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Kenny Vaccaro runs with the ball after catching a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

We are just a shade over 7 days from the start of the 2013 NFL draft. It’s always an exciting time, as it really marks, at least to me, the start of the new league year. Soon after comes workouts, minicamps, and eventually training camps. It’s starts that exciting time where everybody is 0-0.

With the day almost here, we continue our look at players that the Jets are interested in. Conor T. Orr from the Newark Star-Ledger has done a great job using outside sources to come up with a list of visits that the Jets will host, or already have hosted.

This morning, we take a look at a player that fits that bill.  With the losses of Laron Landry and Yeremiah Bell, the Jets are a bit thin at the safety position.  They signed Dawan Landry, but still could use some depth at the position.  The Jets are hosting this young man for a visit, so we will do the same.  We take a look at Kenny Vaccaro, safety from the University of Texas.

Take a look at his stats while he was in school:

MEASURABLES

Kenny Vaccaro measured in at 6’0″, 214 pounds.  At the NFL Combine, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.63 seconds.  He led his position at the Combine with a 4.06 second performance in the 20 yard shuttle drill.

Take a look at his full draft profile from NFL mocks here

Here are some current highlights from Vaccaro to get started:

PROS: The first thing that comes up is excellent “in-game” speed. What do I mean? Running a 40 yard diash is one thing, but being able to stop and change directions, and stop on a dime is unique. It’s especially unique from a defensive player. He has no fear of stepping up in the run defense, which is important at the next level.  He also has excellent vision as well, eyes always “on a swivel”, and this technique gives  him a heck of a chance to be in on every play.  The tape also reveals a player that is fundamentally sound when making a tackle.  He’s very “fluid” when going back into coverage at times, and has good hands to make the INT.

CONS: As I mentioned earlier, he has great vision into the backfield.  However, he has a tendancy to get distracted looking back there, and will fall for ball fakes.  His backpedal into coverage is not as smooth as it could be.  He can get beaten down the field as well