Jaden Hicks S Washington State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jaden Hicks S Washington State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Box/Strong Safety | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.4 DOB: 08/16/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Box/Strong Safety | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | |
| Age: 22.4 DOB: 08/16/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 85.6 / 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: | 93.0 | |
| Tackling: |
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71% |
| Run Defense: |
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73% |
| Coverage: |
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82% |
| Zone: |
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75% |
| Man/Press: |
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82% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#60
Position rank:
#12
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| College Games: 25 College Snaps: 1486 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 85/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| JL Skinner - Boise State |
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79% |
| Brandon Joseph - Notre Dame |
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77% |
| Bryan Cook - Cincinnati |
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72% |
Drafted: ROUND: 4 - Pick Number: 133 (KC)
Draft Profile: Bio
Jaden Hicks from Bishop Gorman High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Hicks opted to join Washington State.In 2021 as a freshman Hicks saw little action, as a sophomore in 2022 he played in 12 games and logged 683 snaps for the Cougars. He made 53 tackles, 17 assists, and had 17 stops. In coverage he totaled 3 pass breakups, one interception, and a disappointing QB rating when targetted of 126.0. In addition, he forced 8 total pressures, and one sack during the year.
In 2023 as a junior Hicks played in 12 games and contributed on 787 snaps. He chalked up a solid 64 tackles, 17 assists, and added 34 stops. In the secondary Hicks forced 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and gave up QB rating when targetted of 75.5. As a pass rusher from the defensive backfield, he also added 7 total pressures, and 3 sacks on the year.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Highly versatile, displaying proficiency in multiple alignments with minimal drop-off in effectiveness, a sought-after trait in the NFL.
- Exhibits advanced ball-hawking skills, with a natural ability to disrupt passes and secure interceptions, showcasing his secondary prowess.
- Smooth hip transitions and fluidity in movement allow him to shadow receivers and navigate the field with ease, critical for coverage schemes.
- Football IQ off the charts; Hicks anticipates plays, showing an understanding of offensive schemes and player tendencies.
- Aggressive in run support, demonstrating the ability to diagnose and disrupt plays from the backfield to the line of scrimmage.
- Effective in zone coverage with an instinctual understanding of spatial relationships and route anticipation, enhancing his pass defense capabilities.
- Possesses a quick burst and aggressive approach to the blitz, adding value as a pass-rusher from the secondary.
- Physical attributes align with NFL standards, offering the length and agility needed to compete at a professional level.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Concerns about vertical chase speed and ability to contest deep threats, potentially limiting matchups against elite speed receivers.
- Consistency in open-field tackling needs refinement, with a tendency to miss tackles in space—a critical area for improvement.
- While capable in man coverage, shows vulnerability against quick, shifty slot receivers and needs to polish footwork and hip fluidity.
- Occasionally takes inefficient angles to the ball, impacting his ability to close space and make plays—a trainable aspect of his game.
- Prone to overcommitting to the quarterback's eyes, leading to missteps in coverage and vulnerabilities in the defensive backfield.
Scouting Report: Summary
Jaden Hicks's versatility and football IQ stand out, allowing him to be deployed across various positions in the secondary. Hicks has demonstrated an ability to disrupt both the pass and run game, making him a dual-threat on defense. His knack for being in the right place at the right time, combined with solid ball skills and the ability to diagnose plays quickly, make him an asset in any defensive scheme. However, his game is not without flaws. Concerns about his vertical speed and open-field tackling are areas that scouts have flagged for improvement. These weaknesses could limit his effectiveness against the league's elite speedsters and in one-on-one situations in the open field.For NFL teams considering Hicks, his draft stock represents a blend of immediate contribution potential and developmental upside. Hicks is the type of player who could thrive under the guidance of an experienced defensive backs coach, leveraging his strengths and addressing his weaknesses. As a player likely to contribute on special teams and in various defensive packages, Hicks offers value beyond his role in the secondary.
Jaden Hicks percentiles vs other Safetys (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Jaden Hicks (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
71.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
18.0
*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.