2017 NFL Draft Profile: Obi Melifonwu

Obi Melifonwu, U Conn
6-4, 224
Melifonwu was a rare five year player at U Conn, which included him redshirting his freshman year as he came on campus out of the MA high school ranks. He was named first team All-AAC in 2016, and was a four year starter for the Huskies.
As a freshman, he totaled 70 tackles, three TFLs, five PBUs, one QB hurry, and two forced fumbles. He also added two INTs.
As a sophomore, he finished with 75 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and three PBUs.
As a junior, he finished with 88 tackles, two TFLs, five PBUs, and two INTs.
As a senior, he finished with 118 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, three PBUs, a fumble recovery, and four INTs.
The Good
Super athletic/speed combo with this guy.
Dedicated player who stayed for five years including a redshirt.
Focused and determined.
Excellent eye skills when ball is in the air, and adjusts well to the play.
Has played some corner, and can cover TEs and slot receivers.
Takes away the seam routes, forces receivers to go outside.
Tackling machine...loves the contact and has a massive tackle radius for a safety.
Seems to have gotten more and more disciplined with every passing year.
A model in consistency.
The Bad
Slow to recognize what offenses are doing at times, and is forced into reacting.
Can get busted up by play action.
Does not always take the most direct route to the ball.
May have had inflated tackle numbers based on how bad the offense at U Conn has been.
Has seen a massive amount of minutes on the field over four years.
Has never played for a real winner of a team.
Final Overview
Melifonwu is a guy who is rocketing up the big boards right now, and that is unlikely to change at any point. He is as productive as they get, and is consistent and coachable. He has freakish size and athleticism for the position, and that sells. He will likely only get better on the next level, and could be a starter down the line for years to come. He is streaking into the first round, and in my opinion, is one of the two best safeties in this draft with Adams from LSU.