Tyler Nubin SAF Minnesota: Scouting Report

Height: 6’2

Weight: 210

Overall

Tyler Nubin is a versatile safety in Minnesota’s 4-3, zone heavy defense. In his 5 seasons with the Gophers, he played in 55 games, starting 37 of them. He had a very productive college career setting multiple program records and he has the talent to be a contributor at the next level.

Pass Game

In the pass game Nubin played a lot of deep zone coverage as well as man coverage against tight ends and bigger receivers. In zone, he has good speed to cover from hash to hash but is not fast enough to be a true centerfield safety. He has good footwork and makes quick breaks on the ball but he has inconsistent eyes allowing the quarterback to bait him into leaving his zone resulting in open receivers. When the ball is thrown to his zone he shows the physicality to come downhill and make big tackles as well as the ball skills to break up passes at the catch point. He has very good hands and made multiple big-time interceptions on film. In man coverage, he has the size and footwork to match-up on bigger skill players. He lacks the quickness and fluidity to be used as a nickel corner but his man coverage skills will be very valuable at the next level.

Run Game

In the run game, Nubin has experience as both a deep safety and lined up in the box. He shows the physicality to make big tackles when accelerating down hill but he often dives at the ball-carrier rather than taking an extra step to square up resulting in missed tackles. He has the size to stop the run and he has experience lining up in the box but he needs to be more consistent in his technique before he can be a reliable run defender in the NFL.

Last Word

Nubin projects best as a strong safety in a man heavy scheme where he can use his size and coverage skills to match-up against tight ends and running backs. His footwork and ball skills will make him a valuable 3rd down player and his physicality will make him an immediate impact player on special teams as well. He lacks the elite speed to be a single high safety so he will need to play closer to the line of scrimmage at the next level and with that, he will need to improve his tackling to make a consistent impact.

One-Liner: Tyler Nubin has the size and coverage skills to match-up in man coverage but his lack of elite speed and tackling technique will prohibit him from being an every down starter.

Grade: 6.4 (Role Playing Starter - #3 Safety w/ 3rd Down Flexibility)

Games Watched: 2023 - North Carolina, Michigan State, Nebraska

Team Fits: New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders