Ronnie Hickman 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Ronnie Hickman NFL Draft Profile

Position: Safety

Height: 6’ ½”

Weight: 203 lbs.

School: Ohio State

2023 NFL Draft: Ronnie Hickman Scouting Report

Ronnie Hickman came to Ohio State after an All-American lacrosse and a stellar offense and defensive football career in New Jersey. He started for the Buckeyes for two years and showed his Lacrosse skills while excelling in a big nickel role. Hickman finished his first starting season with 98 tackles (54 solo, 44 assists), a sack, a forced fumble, and two interceptions. In his second season (2022), he finished with 53 tackles (26 solo, 27 assists), a forced fumble, and an interception.

Hickman is a strong and sizeable NFL safety, playing above his weight class. He battles against bigger tight ends and is a rotational safety NFL teams sorely need. While his speed and finishing angle leaves NFL acumen desired, small refinements in his technique could dramatically improve his week-to-week play. He is certainly a project on defence, but he can dominate immediately in certain defensive schemes, making him worthy of a strong mid-round selection.

Strengths

• Strong safety who plays above his 203-pound weight-class
• Physical safety who can defend against NFL tight ends
• Will fit immediately into a big nickel package
• Strong run defender; crashes the box in all situations
• Smooth hips with ability to move around field

Weaknesses

• A touch slower than desired
• Not a great open-field tackler
• Not great at making sure he is the finishing tackler on a play
• Reactionary play style for full-time starter

NFL Comparison: Marcus Williams

Teams With Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Projection: Fifth Round

Bottom Line on Ronnie Hickman

Ronnie Hickman is a nice NFL rotational safety with some potential to go beyond his role as a strong, big nickel defender. He does not necessarily possess the coverage skills needed to stick with NFL wide receivers and may struggle in a zone scheme. The way he moves around the field needs to have more of a sense of purpose than generalised zones; hence, a team with a downhill defensive style will best fit Hickman.

Hickman’s most immediately, however, fulfils a need for a team who utilises downhill safeties in a multi-safety and rotational system. He will provide needed depth to a defence, but beyond that needs to improve play recognition to go beyond a limited prototype player. Fundamentally, he needs to improve his tackling on an angle and fit better to incoming offensive players. However, his ability to attack the ball carrier is a skill that should get him decently far in the NFL. He will not take the ball away, nor will he be a flashy three-down safety.

Hickman instead will play a vital role on a defence trying to take the next step by simply playing healthier and more consistent. His lacrosse-style play still will move him up in the NFL Draft, allowing him to play with a team that needs his style of a strong, physical safety.