A.J. Haulcy Draft Grade | Round 3, Pick 14 | FanVerdicts

A+

Top 3%Pick Grade

Pick Context

Market Value

Steal

Position

S · Standard Position

Decision Grade reflects market consensus at the moment of the pick. Teams often have private information the consensus does not.

Scouting Report

Big Board Rank: #51 · Day 2 Value

A.J. Haulcy transformed from a solid contributor to a premier safety during his three-year tenure at LSU, culminating in an All-SEC selection as a senior. The Baton Rouge native showcases exceptional range and ball skills that allow him to impact the game from multiple levels. His ability to play both free safety and strong safety with equal effectiveness makes him a valuable chess piece for modern NFL defenses. Haulcy's instinctive feel for route concepts and timing, combined with his physical tools, creates a prospect capable of immediate contribution and long-term starter potential. His draft stock has steadily climbed throughout the pre-draft process after an impressive Senior Bowl performance.

Strengths

+Exceptional range and closing speed allows him to cover massive amounts of ground in single-high looks, regularly making plays 25+ yards downfield.

+Advanced route recognition skills enable him to jump underneath routes and anticipate throwing windows before quarterbacks release the ball.

+Strong ball skills with excellent hands, registering minimal drops on interception opportunities and showing ability to high-point contested catches.

+Versatile alignment capability allows him to play free safety, strong safety, and even rotate down to cover slot receivers in sub-packages.

+Impressive open-field tackling technique with good form and wrap-up ability, rarely allowing broken tackles in space.

+Natural feel for reading quarterback eyes and body language, often breaking on balls before receivers even turn their heads.

+Solid coverage ability in man-to-man situations against tight ends and slot receivers, showing good hip mobility and footwork.

+Leadership presence on the backend of the defense, regularly making pre-snap adjustments and communicating coverage rotations to teammates.

+Good processing speed allows him to diagnose play-action and RPO concepts quickly, avoiding false steps and maintaining proper leverage.

+Consistent effort and motor, pursuing plays across the field and showing willingness to support in run defense despite his frame.

+Reliable hands in traffic situations, able to secure interceptions through contact and maintain possession while being tackled.

+Shows good timing and anticipation on underneath routes, able to undercut receivers and create separation for return opportunities.

Weaknesses

-Limited size for strong safety role may create matchup issues against bigger tight ends and physical receivers in red zone situations.

-Can be overly aggressive in coverage, occasionally biting on double moves and leaving himself vulnerable to deep completions behind him.

-Run support consistency needs improvement as he sometimes takes poor angles when coming downhill and can be sealed by athletic tight ends.

-Struggles with press coverage responsibilities when asked to play man coverage on bigger receivers, lacking ideal length and strength.

-Tackling form breaks down when attempting to deliver big hits rather than focusing on secure fundamentals, leading to some missed opportunities.

-Can be indecisive in zone coverage when faced with multiple route combinations, occasionally getting caught between receivers.

-Needs to improve his blitz timing and pass rush technique when asked to pressure the quarterback from safety position.

-Sometimes plays too high in his backpedal, making it difficult to drive downhill quickly on underneath routes and screens.

NFL Comparison: Jessie Bates III

Fan voting will be available once grades are published.

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