Player Profile: S Eric Berry

Name: Eric Berry
Position: S
Height/Weight: 6-0/195
College: Tennessee
Projected Round: 1
NFL Player Comparison: Ed Reed

Strengths: Berry was highly productive in college, racking up 241 total tackles and fourteen interceptions in three years as a Volunteer. Another positive, which in a way might be considered a negative, is Berry’s tendency to be a physical and violent player who can lay players out. But teams like that tenacity. Berry also has the knack of converting interceptions to touchdowns after returning three in college. He has also shown toughness after it was revealed he played the entire 2008 season with a nagging shoulder injury. After showing an elite range in pass coverage and an aggressiveness against the run, Berry can play at the strong and free safety position.

Weaknesses: Teams will need to make sure Berry’s left shoulder is healthy. And with the way he loves to tackle, he could be injury prone at the next level (think Colts S Bob Sanders). And at just 6′, he lacks height. While he has shown he can get out of the backpedal cleanly, he could still use some polishing in that area.

Summary: While he lacks some size and upper-body strength, Berry should be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft. He was taught by one of the best NFL coordinators of all time in Monte Kiffen, who helped turn John Lynch and Jermaine Phillips into solid pro players. He was a two time Jack Tatum Award winner for being the top collegiate defensive back in 2008 and 2009.

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