Buck Thornton - Scouting Report
Player Link: http://nsfl.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=...=0&#entry256944
Introduction:
This is the second of several scouting reports that I’ll be writing on this upcoming DSFL draft class of Safeties. Considering that they are a deciding factor on whether or not your defense will be able to to force a turnover in the passing game, prevent a score or large gain in the running game as the last tackler, or even to put pressure on the Quarterback by racking up sacks and TFLs through being lined up in the box, Safeties are an important position that every DSFL GM should be looking for on their draft board. This series of reports will be written so that DSFL GMs won’t need to look far to determine which of the Safeties in the upcoming draft class will fit their needs best. Now, without further ado, here is my scouting report on the S out of Central Washington University, Buck Thornton.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
As a Run Support Safety, Buck Thornton has only had to focus himself on one area to excel at his given responsibilities. He needs to devote himself to shutting down the run with good tackling, speed, strength, and intelligence. He has above-average strength for a Safety, meaning that he’ll definitely be able to deliver the crushing hits on unsuspecting ball-carriers that Run Support Safties are known for. He also has average agility for a Safety, which means that he won’t have much trouble turning or shifting focus to a different player quickly. He also has exceptional intelligence for a Safety, meaning that his instincts are very good and that he won’t have a lot of trouble tracking the ball or ball-carrier, even on complex trick plays designed to confuse the defensive front. It’ll also be harder for ball-carriers to fake him out with double-moves. He has average tackling for a Run-Support Safety, meaning that he’ll be able to lay down big hits on receivers and wrap them up effectively with relative ease. He has above-average speed for a Safety, which is great for when he has to quickly enter the backfield on a blitz play in order to quickly end a play and cost the offense a down. He has below-average hands for a Safety, which isn’t necessarily something that he needs to improve, but also means that he’ll have more trouble dropping back in coverage when required. He has average endurance for a Safety, which means that he won’t have too much trouble when required to stay out on the field longer due to defensive assignments. Due to his attributes, I’d say that Thornton is more geared towards playing Strong Safety over Free Safety.
Pro Comparison:
![[Image: chuck-clark-ravens-usat.jpg]](https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/sites/csnma/files/2020/01/10/chuck-clark-ravens-usat.jpg)
A good comparison for Buck Thornton would have to be Chuck Clark, the former pro Strong Safety for the Baltimore Ravens. Clark was a great run-support safety during his time, capable of making big hits and stripping the ball from RBs and WRs, and wasn’t too bad when required to drop back into coverage, something that Thornton needs to improve. I’d consider this to be a fairly median floor for Thornton. I’d consider his ceiling to be Kam Chancellor, the former Strong Safety for the Seattle Seahawks. Chancellor was exceptional defending against the run, but was still very capable at performing well within a zone and picking off passes. I’d consider Buck Thornton to have a median floor of Chuck Clark, and a median ceiling of Kam Chancellor, which he’ll reach if he eliminates his weaknesses in coverage.
![[Image: b50bdd0c17817dd6290d6b06bda61859.jpg]](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b5/0b/dd/b50bdd0c17817dd6290d6b06bda61859.jpg)
Extras:
- Weighed in at 230 lbs, which is very heavy for a Safety, effectively making him a mini-MLB. He’ll hit as hard as a truck.
- Measured at 6’1”, a good height for a Safety.
- Was born in the US, but apparently only got his start in football after having played rugby. A bit weird considering that rugby in the US is not very popular, but still plausible.
- Played at the DII level, which bring in the question of whether or not he truly is good enough to succeed at the professional level. The jump in skill might be too far.
Conclusion:
Buck Thornton is an excellent choice for any DSFL GM that has a hole at the Safety position, and is planning to build a run-stopping wrecking-crew of a defense. With great attributes that fit his archetype and preferred role, I think that he is one of the premier talents at Safety in this draft, and will be a steal for whatever team that decides to draft him, considering that it’ll probably be in the late second or early third round due to the sheer amount of talent in this draft. He should definitely be started at Strong Safety or a run support role though, as his ability in coverage is not great compared to the ideal all-around Safety, and is something that he needs to work on. Other than that, I’d say that he won’t have to wait very long to start having an impact on defense. In my opinion, he’s the second-best Safety prospect in this draft, and will likely be second off the board. With a median floor and a median ceiling, I think Buck Thornton will be a crucial playmaker in a hard-hitting NSFL defense in the near future.
Player Link: http://nsfl.jcink.net/index.php?showtopic=...=0&#entry256944
Introduction:
This is the second of several scouting reports that I’ll be writing on this upcoming DSFL draft class of Safeties. Considering that they are a deciding factor on whether or not your defense will be able to to force a turnover in the passing game, prevent a score or large gain in the running game as the last tackler, or even to put pressure on the Quarterback by racking up sacks and TFLs through being lined up in the box, Safeties are an important position that every DSFL GM should be looking for on their draft board. This series of reports will be written so that DSFL GMs won’t need to look far to determine which of the Safeties in the upcoming draft class will fit their needs best. Now, without further ado, here is my scouting report on the S out of Central Washington University, Buck Thornton.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
As a Run Support Safety, Buck Thornton has only had to focus himself on one area to excel at his given responsibilities. He needs to devote himself to shutting down the run with good tackling, speed, strength, and intelligence. He has above-average strength for a Safety, meaning that he’ll definitely be able to deliver the crushing hits on unsuspecting ball-carriers that Run Support Safties are known for. He also has average agility for a Safety, which means that he won’t have much trouble turning or shifting focus to a different player quickly. He also has exceptional intelligence for a Safety, meaning that his instincts are very good and that he won’t have a lot of trouble tracking the ball or ball-carrier, even on complex trick plays designed to confuse the defensive front. It’ll also be harder for ball-carriers to fake him out with double-moves. He has average tackling for a Run-Support Safety, meaning that he’ll be able to lay down big hits on receivers and wrap them up effectively with relative ease. He has above-average speed for a Safety, which is great for when he has to quickly enter the backfield on a blitz play in order to quickly end a play and cost the offense a down. He has below-average hands for a Safety, which isn’t necessarily something that he needs to improve, but also means that he’ll have more trouble dropping back in coverage when required. He has average endurance for a Safety, which means that he won’t have too much trouble when required to stay out on the field longer due to defensive assignments. Due to his attributes, I’d say that Thornton is more geared towards playing Strong Safety over Free Safety.
Pro Comparison:
A good comparison for Buck Thornton would have to be Chuck Clark, the former pro Strong Safety for the Baltimore Ravens. Clark was a great run-support safety during his time, capable of making big hits and stripping the ball from RBs and WRs, and wasn’t too bad when required to drop back into coverage, something that Thornton needs to improve. I’d consider this to be a fairly median floor for Thornton. I’d consider his ceiling to be Kam Chancellor, the former Strong Safety for the Seattle Seahawks. Chancellor was exceptional defending against the run, but was still very capable at performing well within a zone and picking off passes. I’d consider Buck Thornton to have a median floor of Chuck Clark, and a median ceiling of Kam Chancellor, which he’ll reach if he eliminates his weaknesses in coverage.
Extras:
- Weighed in at 230 lbs, which is very heavy for a Safety, effectively making him a mini-MLB. He’ll hit as hard as a truck.
- Measured at 6’1”, a good height for a Safety.
- Was born in the US, but apparently only got his start in football after having played rugby. A bit weird considering that rugby in the US is not very popular, but still plausible.
- Played at the DII level, which bring in the question of whether or not he truly is good enough to succeed at the professional level. The jump in skill might be too far.
Conclusion:
Buck Thornton is an excellent choice for any DSFL GM that has a hole at the Safety position, and is planning to build a run-stopping wrecking-crew of a defense. With great attributes that fit his archetype and preferred role, I think that he is one of the premier talents at Safety in this draft, and will be a steal for whatever team that decides to draft him, considering that it’ll probably be in the late second or early third round due to the sheer amount of talent in this draft. He should definitely be started at Strong Safety or a run support role though, as his ability in coverage is not great compared to the ideal all-around Safety, and is something that he needs to work on. Other than that, I’d say that he won’t have to wait very long to start having an impact on defense. In my opinion, he’s the second-best Safety prospect in this draft, and will likely be second off the board. With a median floor and a median ceiling, I think Buck Thornton will be a crucial playmaker in a hard-hitting NSFL defense in the near future.
![[Image: 60781_s.gif]](https://signavatar.com/60781_s.gif)
