The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the JL Skinner 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Safety
School: Boise State
Size: 6-foot-4, 209 pounds
Class: Senior
2022 Stats: 65 total tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, 4 interceptions, 5 passes defended
Skinner spent four seasons at Boise State developing and improving his game. He is now in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As a three-star prospect out of California, Skinner signed on with Boise State. He made one start and played in all 14 games as a true freshman, registering 14 total tackles and three passes defended. In 2020, he started six of the seven games the Broncos played, tallying 37 total tackles, one pass defended and one interception. His play helped Boise State have a 5-2 record that season. For the 2021 season, Skinner had 92 total tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended. Boise State went 7-5 with Skinner’s help. During the 2022 season, Skinner totaled 65 tackles, four interceptions and five passes defended. His play led the Broncos to a 10-4 record and a win in the Frisco Bowl.
Following the Frisco Bowl, Skinner declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a day two pick.
Skinner is a huge safety. He stands at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, which is well above the average for an NFL safety. With his size comes good strength, which he uses against the run and the pass. He has 32-inch arms, which is also solid and allows him to contest catches that others are not able to.
He has good ball skills even if the ball production in college didn’t match. Skinner shows good anticipation, which helps him jump on the ball when it is in the air. He attacks the catchpoint aggressively and is capable of coming up with a pass defended or interception.
His ability to lay big hits will jump out to evaluators. He can hit hard and even cause fumbles at times. Receivers may not want to go over the middle with him patrolling the area. Along with his big-hitting skills, he also has the ability to make solid form tackles as well.
He is at his best when he plays downhill and he struggles to change directions. His tight hips make it tough for him to change directions. This comes into play in his man to man coverage and in his pursuit of ball carriers.
Skinner may be able to cover tight ends in man coverage because he is big enough to match up with them, but he struggles against wide receivers. He has tight hips, which makes it tough for him to mirror the movements of receivers. Skinner can be used in zone and as a box safety, but asking for him to cover receivers may be too much of an ask.
While he is a bigger safety who has solid strength, Skinner can actually add on to his frame. He uses his current strength well, but could impose more of a physical presence if he fills out his frame. This would help him have more physical coverage and shed blocks quicker.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Draft Grade: Second Round Pick
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