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Browns: Talanoa Hufanga an intriguing chess piece in 2021 NFL Draft

By Cory Kinnan

Dec 12, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans safety Talanoa Hufanga (15) celebrates after an interception in the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. USC defeated UCLA 43-38. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans safety Talanoa Hufanga (15) celebrates after an interception in the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. USC defeated UCLA 43-38. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Browns target Talanoa Hufanga. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

NFL Draft scouting report of Browns target Hufanga

Range (13/15)

Hufanga does not show much range over the top in coverage, sticking mostly to the middle of the field when playing in zone. Hufanga does not lack depth in his backpedal, giving him plenty of room to stay over the top of the defense, however is not tasked in rangy assignments often.

His closing speed, however, is explosive as he looks to hunt down his assignment in man coverage. He is efficient and smart about not getting beat over the top in single or double-high coverage, displaying the ability to open his hips and run.

READ/REACT (17/20)

Instincts, instincts, instincts. Hufanga has a knack for getting his hands on the football, even if he does not initially seem like he is in on the play. Despite his size, Hufanga is great at setting the edge and shooting gaps based on what his responsibility or fit is on a play-to-play basis.

When his eyes are appropriately placed, Hufanga closes on receivers quickly after the quarterback locks onto his target. However, his eyes in coverage tend to have a bit of a lag to them, as he is a step late to adjust to the eyes of the opposing quarterback.

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