Matthew Bailey S Illinois |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #7 ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.56 seconds (52%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #7 | |
| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.56 seconds (52%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
77.0 / 100
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 85.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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79% |
| Run Defense: |
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79% |
| Coverage: |
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70% |
| Zone: |
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74% |
| Man/Press: |
|
67% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#325
Position rank:
#66 (DB)
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| College Games: 45 College Snaps: 2211 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 82/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Wohler - Wisconsin |
|
91% |
| Dominique Hampton - Washington |
|
89% |
| Donovan McMillon - Pittsburgh |
|
83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Matthew Bailey set Moline High School records with 802 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns in his senior season and was named the Quad City Times Player of the Year. He earned Class 7A all-state honors and was a three-star recruit.Bailey intercepted three passes as a freshman at Illinois in 2022, then missed most of 2023 with an injury. He led the Illini with 94 tackles in 2024, earning AP All-Bowl honors after 13 tackles against South Carolina, and made 76 tackles with two forced fumbles in 2025 for honorable mention All-Big Ten. A shoulder injury that dated to 2024 required surgery after the 2025 Northwestern game.
After NFL feedback, Bailey returned for 2026, saying he was not yet the player he wanted scouts to see. He returned an interception 88 yards against Southern Illinois and made double-digit tackles in the loss at Ohio State on 26 September.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Physical box safety who made double-digit tackles at Ohio State
- Returned an interception 88 yards against Southern Illinois
- Effective blitzer, with seven pressures and a sack this season
- Productive starter who led Illinois with 94 tackles in 2024
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Coverage is the weak link, allowing 12 catches on 20 targets
- Maryland completed five of six passes thrown his way
- Shoulder surgery after the 2025 season followed an injury that dated to 2024
- Missed most of the 2023 season with an injury
- Average speed limits his range as a deep safety
Scouting Report: Summary
Bailey is a physical, productive safety who does his best work near the line. He arrives with force against the run, adds value as a blitzer and has led Illinois in tackles, with another double-digit game at Ohio State this season. His 88-yard interception return against Southern Illinois showed his ball skills too.However, his coverage is the weakest part of his game. His average speed limits his range, and quarterbacks have completed passes against him, as Maryland did. His injury history, including shoulder surgery after 2025, will also draw attention.
Overall, Bailey is a tough, experienced box safety with a clear special teams role. He projects as a priority free agent who will need to prove his health and his coverage.
How other scouting services rate Matthew Bailey (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
283.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
60.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.