The NFL will soon learn what Bray Hubbard is all about. Alabama's senior safety is coming off a First-Team All-SEC campaign. His knack for finding the football and being a movable chess piece has been a boon to Kane Wommack's Crimson Tide defense. Having co-coordinator Maurice Linguist in his ear has also helped Hubbard go from an unheralded three-star recruit to a high-end NFL Draft prospect.
Hubbard has the frame to play on Sundays, but it is his productivity that could get him drafted before day three arrives. It is why ESPN's Matt Miller tabbed him as the "player outside the top five to watch" at the safety position. Miller may prefer Koi Perich (Oregon), KJ Bolden (Georgia), Ty Benefield (LSU), Tae Johnson (Notre Dame), and Zach Lutmer (Iowa) over him, but he does think fondly of Hubbard.
Miller's write-up on Hubbard paints a perfect picture on why NFL teams could buy into his draft stock.
"A good-sized, rangy safety at 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, Hubbard has had impressive production, with seven interceptions over the past two seasons," Miller wrote. "He's a versatile defender who has the strength to play near the box as a deep safety or even at cornerback. Hubbard is a fun all-around player whose proven production could boost his stock."
NFL talent evaluators may rave about the measurables, but coaches like on-field production. It is what keeps them employed. The idea of a player can only go so far. If given the opportunity, Hubbard seems like the type of player who will take full advantage of it. However, it will be imperative for him to go to the right team. His ability to make plays is understood, but he needs to be on a strong defense.
It is why Hubbard should keep his head down, keep the main thing the main thing, and have patience.
Maintaining production is the only way Bray Hubbard will get drafted high
Football is a game of injuries, but Hubbard cannot afford to let them slow him down. He may be on a playoff-caliber team, but a clean bill of health could be what unlocks all of Hubbard's wildest NFL dreams. Assuming a similar level of production continues into this year, one would be hard-pressed to see all 32 NFL teams pass over Hubbard several times. Multiple, not several. There is a difference.
Although Wommack and Linguist are savvy, defensive-minded coaches, Kalen DeBoer favors the other side of the ball. His focus will be on the offense, almost certainly on the passing game. If Alabama struggles to run the football again, that could put even more pressure on Hubbard and the rest of the defense. This may give him more shots at making plays or potentially leave him exposed.
Again, production and on-field leadership must be the driving force for this all-conference player. This is how positive narratives are formed. Not only does the guy make plays, but he makes all his teammates better around him. Another All-SEC season out of Hubbard will surely bring some more welcomed attention to his NFL Draft case. Of course, so much is riding on him during his senior year.
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Overall, Hubbard's proven production speaks for itself. How many guys can ball hawk like he can, or be deployed all over the defensive backfield as seamlessly? His football IQ is off the charts! The game has continued to slow down for him. The question now is if his tactical strengths can overcome any perceived physical limitations he may encounter during the draft process. Just look at the tape!
Safety may be a hard position to properly evaluate, but Hubbard seems to be playing it at a high level.
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