S Jordan Battle:
Scouting Reports:
SI Draft Bible: https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/jordanbattle
NFL Draft Buzz: https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Jordan-Battle-DB-Alabama
Draft Network: https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/jordan-battle-c65538c1-e8a3-4bd4-bfaa-0e18ed0ae63c/
Fantasy Pro: https://www.fantasypros.com/2023/01/2023-nfl-draft-scouting-report-jordan-battle-db-alabama/
Articles:
What Are Jordan Battle’s 4 Best NFL Team Fits? (4-20-23): https://thedraftnetwork.com/jordan-battle-nfl-draft-cardinals-dolphins-bengals-jets/
2023 NFL Draft preview: 5 safeties that could interest the Lions (4. Jordan Battle, Alabama: 6-1, 209. 4.55 40. Played 54 games in four seasons. He had six interceptions, and returned three of them for TDs – two of them in 2021. Bottom line: Credited with 252 career tackles, with 141 of them solos.) (4-20-23): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-preview-5-safeties-lions-branch-johnson-smith
Top 10 Safeties in the 2023 NFL Draft: Brian Branch Emerging as the Top Prospect (7. Jordan Battle, Alabama: Jordan Battle‘s scouting report has remained relatively steady over the past few seasons. The 6’1″, 208-pound DB isn’t going to be a coveted first-rounder like Alabama safeties of the past, but there’s a very plausible outcome where he becomes a good NFL starter. An adequate summation of Battle’s profile is “solid but unspectacular.” He’s not elite in any one area, but Battle has good size and speed, as well as visible play-recognition ability and versatility. Plus, he’s shown he can make plays when in position. Battle is also a good utility safety who can hold his own in coverage and provide support downhill.) (4-17-23): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-s-in-the-2023-nfl-draft-jl-skinner-starts-the-season-as-the-superior-safety-prospect/
2023 NFL Draft: Trevor Sikkema's top 5 players at each defensive position (3. Jordan Battle: Jordan Battle is probably the best “pure” safety in the class as an experienced box defender who has good instincts for coverage and reliability in run defense (though limited a bit with flexibility and change of direction).) (4-13-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-five-players-defense-2023-nfl-draft-sikkema
Jake Haener, Kendre Miller among potential 2023 NFL Draft steals (Jordan Battle, DB, Alabama (Career stats: 252 tackles, 6.5 TFL, one sack, six interceptions, three touchdowns) - Klatt on Battle: "Battle is a guy that I really love watching on tape. You fall even more in love with him when you talk with people around the program or coaching staffs that have played against Alabama. I don’t think he has the natural ability that maybe some of the Bama defensive backs have in the past, but he does have great instincts, he’s highly intelligent, he can play center field, he has good ball skills, and I think it's his intelligence that’s gonna make him such a good, productive player early in his career.") (4-3-23): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/jake-haener-kendre-miller-among-potential-2023-nfl-draft-steals
2023 NFL Draft: The top 9 safeties (8. Jordan Battle, Alabama (Height: 6’1″ (60th) Weight: 209 (61st), 40-Yard Dash: 4.55 (58th), 10-Yard Split: 1.56 (55th), Bench Press: 17 reps (53rd), Arm Length: 32″ (63rd), Hand Size: 8½” (5th)) - Bio: Battle originally committed to Ohio State, but answered Nick Saban’s call after Urban Meyer left the Buckeyes. He had four starts in his true freshman season of 2019, and became a defensive leader when the Crimson Tide won the national championship in 2020. Through four seasons at Alabama, Battle had one sack, 11 pressures, 175 tackles, 46 stops, and allowed 74 catches on 111 targets for 607 yards, 390 yards after the catch, five touchdowns, six interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 72.9. Battle played 1,523 at free safety, 814 in the box, 703 in the slot, 25 at cornerback, and 22 along the defensive line. Stat to Know: Battle had three interceptions in his 2021 season, and three combined in his 2019, 2020, and 2022 seasons. He returned three of his six collegiate interceptions for touchdowns. Strengths: Battle is one of the most practiced deep-third safeties in this class, and his experience there shows up a lot when he’s asked to break on passes and time his deflections and interceptions. Nick Saban isn’t going to keep you back there if you’re too mistake-prone, and Battle accentuated the possibilities with plays like this. Battle also shows promise as a box/slot defender with experience reading shorter routes and things over the middle. Here’s another instance in which that closing speed pays off. Weaknesses: Generally speaking, Battle is better in coverage when he’s coming down on the receiver, as opposed to matching and following deep. He can get betwixt and between with his movements and closing ability when asked to match and carry. And while Battle certainly has the size to be a quality run defender, the tape tells a decidedly different story. Battle tends to slow-play his way through trash when a more dominant approach is needed, and his tackling eagerness trends toward “innocent bystander.” Conclusion: Battle should draw considerable second-day interest from teams in need of help in the deep third, especially teams in need of safeties with a lot of experience in two-deep and rolling coverage — which is to say, every NFL team. The extent to which he’s valued outside of that could very well ride on a relative lack of physicality, and perhaps less of an excellence in taking receivers over the top. Is there a “low ceiling” concern in his case? Perhaps, but there’s enough on the ball to make the risk worth it. NFL Comparison: Justin Reid. Selected by the Texans in the third round of the 2018 draft out of Stanford, Reid has always been a plus deep defender with some liabilities as a tackler closer to the line. Reid’s deep coverage skills have always mitigated that, and the same should be true for Battle as long as his NFL team follows the plan and keeps him out of the box to any serious degree.) (3-30-23): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-top-11-safeties-brian-branch-sydney-brown-jl-skinner/
Alabama Pro Day 2023 News, Rumors: Bryce Young Set To Throw for the First Time (Jordan Battle, S: It’ll be fascinating to see where Jordan Battle is valued in the 2023 NFL Draft safety class. He’s not a flashy prospect, and as his 4.55 40-yard dash showed, he’s not quite an elite athlete. But he’s intelligent, versatile, physical coming downhill, and overall a strong utility player. More complete testing numbers gathered at his pro day could settle him into a more confined range as a prospect.) (3-22-23): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/alabama-pro-day-2023-news-rumors-bryce-young-set-to-throw-for-the-first-time/
2023 NFL Draft: Jordan Battle scouting report (3-22-23): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-jordan-battle-scouting-report/
Pro Day 2023: Full schedule, what to watch for as top prospects continue preparing for NFL Draft (Alabama (March 23 and April 6) - Biggest opportunities: QB Bryce Young, CB Eli Ricks, S Jordan Battle. Battle was the preseason big name at safety at Alabama and is humming quietly under the radar right now. His film is super clean as a multi-year productive player for Nick Saban. But how athletic is he? He was 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds at the combine, and speed is the name of the game at the safety spot today.) (3-13-23): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/pro-day-2023-full-schedule-what-to-watch-for-as-top-prospects-continue-preparing-for-nfl-draft/
2023 NFL Draft: Every top-10 safety's highest-graded season (JORDAN BATTLE, ALABAMA (Big board rank: 73/S5, Best PFF grade: 88.0 - 2021, 2021 Coverage grade: 89.7, 2021 Run-defense grade: 77.1, 2021 Pass-rush grade: 62.7)) (3-10-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-every-top-10-safetys-highest-graded-season
Best safeties available in the 2023 NFL Draft and free agency (5. Jordan Battle, Alabama (73): Jordan Battle was a four-year starter at Alabama and didn’t show any red flags in his testing at the combine.) (3-9-23): https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-best-safeties-2023-nfl-draft-2023-free-agency
NFL Combine takeaways by position: Anthony Richardson's speed, Bryce Young's size & more we learned about 2023 draft (Safeties: Texas A&M's Antonio Johnson winning a real 'Bama battle - The Alabama duo of Brian Branch, a slot hybrid, and Jordan Battle, with great quickness, are the two best cover safeties in the draft. But Johnson is the most well-rounded traditional safety in the class and showed it by moving around his 6-2, 198-pound frame with smoothness in all the positional drills. He still is a borderline first-rounder depending on team needs.) (3-6-23): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-combine-2023-takeaways-anthony-richardson-bryce-young/ptpjkejssvw6s1dt6ghwfag0
Safeties for Lions to Watch at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine (Jordan Battle, Alabama: Like his Alabama teammate, Battle has the strength and physicality to be an impact player between the tackles. He was on radars early, becoming well-known after starting every game in his true freshman season of 2019. Battle does his best work as a tackler, having finished with 252 in his Alabama career. However, he could also generate turnovers, as he boasted six interceptions total in his four years.) (3-2-23): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-2023-combine-preview-safeties
NFL Draft: Defensive positional rankings pre-combine (3. S Jordan Battle: Jordan Battle is another Saban safety with extensive playing experience. He has converted three of his five interceptions into touchdowns over the past three seasons.) (2-27-23): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-2023-jalen-carter-will-anderson-jr-atop-pre-combine-list-of-best-defensive-prospects-by-position/
2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Safety (5. JORDAN BATTLE, ALABAMA (BIG BOARD RANK: 74): Battle is a high-floor safety who can be a plug-and-play starter from Day 1.) (2-22-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-position-rankings-safety
Bucky Brooks' top five 2023 NFL Draft prospects by position 1.0: Stroud, Young, Hooker top QB rankings (5. Jordan Battle) (2-16-23): https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-top-five-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-1-0-stroud-young-hook
2023 NFL Draft: 10 most underrated players (S JORDAN BATTLE, ALABAMA: The top safety in this year’s class is Alabama's Brian Branch. Nonetheless, his teammate Battle might end up being the better value this year. Battle returned for his senior season at Alabama and had a really nice season, playing 907 snaps for the Crimson Tide and grading out exceptionally well in coverage. Battle allowed just 136 yards in coverage on 525 snaps this season. In fact, he allowed just 598 yards in coverage in 1,860 coverage snaps during his career at Alabama. However, his seven total interceptions and two combined touchdowns allowed over the last two seasons were even more impressive. Battle isn’t the most physical run defender, and he’ll miss too many tackles, but for someone who has played nearly 4,000 snaps during his collegiate career, Battle is a starting-caliber safety who could be picked in the middle rounds.) (1-17-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-10-most-underrated-players
2023 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 safety prospects (6. JORDAN BATTLE, ALABAMA (SENIOR | 6-1, 206) (2022 PFF Grade: 82.0, Play Style: All-Around Safety, Initial Round Projection: Day 2): You won’t find many true freshman starters on defense at Alabama for head coach Nick Saban. But the ones that do often turn into quality starters in the NFL. Battle is going to put that theory to the test, as he made four starts as a freshman back in 2019 before playing full-time the past three seasons. Battle is sort of a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none. He possesses good size and physicality for the position with average range and physicality. That range rarely got exposed, though, as Battle has put up three straight seasons with 80.0-plus coverage grades.) (1-6-23): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-top-10-safety-rankings
2023 Senior Bowl: Who will rise up NFL draft boards in Mobile? Keep an eye on these 10 prospects (7. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama (6-1, 206): Battle and the rest of the Tide defense should not overlook a Kansas State team that beat TCU in the Big 12 championship game earlier this month. His job on the back end will include covering big-play receiver Malik Knowles, and tight end Ben Sinnott will challenge his man cover skills over the middle and downfield. Battle could also show he can play the run by chasing mobile quarterback Adrian Martinez in the open field.) (12-30-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-senior-bowl-who-will-rise-up-nfl-draft-boards-in-mobile-keep-an-eye-on-thes
Top 10 S in the 2023 NFL Draft: Brian Branch Emerging as the Top Prospect (6. Jordan Battle, Alabama: Jordan Battle‘s scouting report has remained relatively steady over the past few seasons. The 6’1″, 206-pound DB isn’t going to be a coveted first-rounder like Alabama safeties of the past, but there’s a reasonable outcome where he becomes a decent NFL starter. An adequate summation of Battle’s profile is “solid but unspectacular.” He’s not elite in any one area, but Battle has good size, above-average athleticism, and solid play-recognition ability, and he’s shown he can make plays when in position. He’s a good utility safety, who can hold his own in coverage.) (12-26-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-s-in-the-2023-nfl-draft-jl-skinner-starts-the-season-as-the-superior-safety-prospect/
2023 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 30 senior prospects (23. S JORDAN BATTLE, ALABAMA (BIG BOARD RANK: 112): Battle is going to be starting in the league for a long time — he’s just a sound player across the board with very few holes to his game. He isn’t the high-end athletic safety who will be coveted in Round 1, but he’s been starting for four years at Alabama and never earned a below-average grade for a season.) (12-13-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-ranking-class-top-30-senior-prospects
College Football Week 13 Live Reactions, Results, and Takeaways (Quality swim moves on the rush from Will Anderson Jr. and Byron Young have already stood out, and players like Jordan Battle and Henry To’oTo’o are proving to be very proficient at enforcing in the box. Auburn isn’t going away quietly, but there’ll be more opportunities for Alabama’s talent to come up big. IC) (11-26-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-week-13-live-reactions-results-and-takeaways/
2023 NFL Draft: Top 25 Senior Bowl prospects entering Week 7 of college football season (19. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama (6-1, 206): What I saw: The three-year starter played center field against Arkansas on Oct. 1, but also stepped into the box, making seven of his eight tackles against the run. He took away a delayed running back route in the fourth quarter, forcing a field goal attempt. Battle missed an open-field tackle on third-and-long in the third quarter, however, trying to knock the pass away rather than securing the ball-carrier. He also missed a tackle in a tight win over Texas A&M last week, but recorded three stops and forced plays to other defenders, stunting the Aggies' tight offense. Battle thought he had a game-clinching interception on the game's penultimate play until it was negated by a penalty. What's next: Battle's coverage skills will be tested in Knoxville on Saturday by Hendon Hooker, who operates the top-rated offense in college football (547.8 yards per game), and then Mississippi State's top-five passing offense (354.7 yards per game) at home the following week.) (10-14-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-top-25-senior-bowl-prospects-entering-week-7-of-college-football-
Detroit Lions 2023 draft watch: Michigan RB Blake Corum vs Iowa LB Jack Campbell featured (Jordan Battle, S, Alabama (senior): Loaded with starting experience at Alabama, Battle has a lot of translatable experience to the NFL. That experience helped develop his instincts and vision, and he has the positional range to play both safety spots. He plays aggressive—sometimes overaggressive—and pursues downhill with purpose. Lions fit: Battle has a lot of traits that are going to be appealing for the Lions, but he will need to expand his range for the Lions to consider him with a high pick. An excerpt from The Athletic’s Dan Brugler’s safety preview: “A smart run defender, Battle stays assignment-sound and takes accurate pursuit angles to put himself in position to make tackles. In coverage, Battle sniffs out routes and reacts without hesitation.”) (10-1-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/10/1/23376934/detroit-lions-2023-draft-watch-michigan-rb-blake-corum-vs-iowa-lb-jack-campbell-featured
Why Safety Jordan Battle Is Prospect Lions Should Watch Week 2 (9-10-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/safety-jordan-battle-scouting-report
Lions 2023 NFL draft prospect watch for CFB Week 2 (Jordan Battle, S, Alabama – One of the highest-rated defensive backs entering the season, Battle can play any role asked of a safety. His length, strength and quick reactions make him a potential star. Playing more patiently and staying on his feet longer when making a tackle could make Battle a top-20 overall pick next spring.) (9-10-22): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-prospect-watch-for-cfb-week-2-detroit-lions/
2023 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 players at every position (3. Jordan Battle, Alabama) (8-26-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-ranking-the-top-10-players-at-every-position/
PFN College Football All-Americans 2022: C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba take top honors (Defense | First team - S: Jordan Battle, Alabama) (8-8-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/pfn-college-football-all-americans-2022/
Top Alabam Crimson Tide Prospects to Watch in 2023 NFL Draft (DS Jordan Battle
Jordan Battle: Had Battle come out last year, he would have been a potential first-round pick. By returning to school, Battle has the opportunity to end up as the top safety in this class. Battle does everything at a high level, from tackling, man and zone coverage as well as creating turnovers. He will be a day one starter at the next level and scheme versatile. Whoever selects Battle in the draft is getting a stud who will play in the NFL for a long time.) (7-31-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft/top-alabama-crimson-tide-prospects-to-watch-2023-nfl-draft
Top 10 returning players to the Mountain West headlined by QBs Jake Haener, Logan (8. JL Skinner, S, Boise State: Laying the boom or roaming free in coverage, JL Skinner can do it all for the Broncos. Skinner is a big safety who plays even bigger. He doesn’t lose anything by way of speed or athleticism and plays stronger as the games go on. Skinner is instinctual and smart, rarely taking bad angles or missing tackles. A technical veteran, Skinner anchors a relatively young secondary in Boise.) (7-30-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-returning-mountain-west-football-players-2022/
PFF 2022 Preseason Jim Thorpe Award Watch List: Best DB in college football (Big Name, Big School - S JORDAN BATTLE & S BRIAN BRANCH, ALABAMA: Alabama’s secondary may very well cannibalize itself come voting time unless someone really stands out from the rest statistically. Battle is a true safety, while Branch is more of a slot cornerback, but both are as good as it gets at their respective positions in the country. Battle was a bit of a surprise to return after a tremendous junior season that saw him earn an 89.7 coverage grade. Branch isn’t quite as big a name just yet, but he may very well be the best tackling defensive back in college football. He’s missed only one tackle on 82 career attempts.) (7-19-22): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-jim-thorpe-award-watch-list-best-db-2022
Early 2023 NFL Draft Safety Rankings: Texas A&M's Antonio Johnson comes in at No. 1 (4. JORDAN BATTLE, ALABAMA (SENIOR): Battle was a surprise to return to the Crimson Tide after a career year in 2021 put him firmly in the early Day 2 conversation at the position. He earned an 88.0 overall grade in his third season of playing time and second as a full-time starter. Battle has a versatile body type at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds and is rarely caught out of position. On 1,335 career coverage snaps, he’s allowed a grand total of 474 yards with five picks and eight pass breakups.) (6-28-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-early-2023-nfl-draft-safety-rankings
Alabama’s 2023 NFL Draft prospects headlined by Will Anderson Jr. (Jordan Battle, S: Having extricated himself from a safety class that contained some elite prospects, Alabama’s Jordan Battle returns as one of the best safeties in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He boasts size and impressive athleticism at the position. Meanwhile, Battle’s wealth of experience and depth of versatility ensures that he can fill any number of roles that he might be asked to undertake at the NFL level.) (6-3-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/alabamas-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-headlined-by-will-anderson-jr/
Safeties to watch for the 2023 NFL draft (Jordan Battle, Alabama: Coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Jordan Battle graded as a consensus four-star recruit, and was one of the top safeties in the 2019 recruiting class. He chose Alabama over Miami, Ohio State and Oklahoma, and carved out a role in the secondary as a true freshman in 2019. That season Battle made four starts, notching 30 tackles and an interception. Battle moved into the starting lineup for the 2020 campaign, and finished third on the team with 66 total tackles. He also recorded three tackles for a loss, four pass breakups and an interception. That interception came against Kentucky, and he returned it for a 45-yard touchdown. Last season, Battle put together his best year for the Crimson Tide as he recorded 86 total tackles and three pass breakups. He was named A third-Team All-American by the Associated Press, and a First-Team All-SEC player by both the media and the coaches. Battle aligns primarily as a deep safety for the Crimson Tide, but his best role at the next level might be as a strong safety, playing down near the line of scrimmage. You can see that, along with his nose for the ball, on this tackle against Auburn.) (5-25-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/safeties-watch-list-2023-nfl-draft-jordan-battle-jalen-catalon/
2023 NFL Draft: Defensive prospects to watch (Jordan Battle, Alabama: Johnson is more of a box safety who is physical and has good awareness. He shows a quick key and trigger and is able to get up to speed quickly. Battle has been able to stave off a significant amount of talent to retain his starting job in Tuscaloosa.) (5-17-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-will-anderson-jalen-carter-among-defensive-prospects-to-watch-in-college-football-season/
2023 NFL Draft Watch List: Defense (Jordan Battle, Alabama: Battle possesses some of the best size in the safety class at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. He’s been seeing time ever since his true freshman season at Alabama in 2019, considerably improving on his overall grade each year. Range will be his question mark to answer in 2022.) (5-9-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-watch-list-defense
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