It doesn't take an expert to come to the conclusion that Kenny Vaccaro is the best safety in a 2013 NFL Draft class that is pretty deep at that position. The Texas product fits the bill as a cover safety and will go relatively high considering just how many teams need that type of player in the back end of their defense. 

Let's take a gander at eDraft's scouting report on the first-round lock. 

Strengths

Coverage: Vaccaro is by far the best natural cover safety in the draft class. In fact, there are few cornerbacks who are better than him in this aspect of the game. He possesses fluid hips on the outside, will not get turned around and fully recognizes when to drop down behind the receiver or jump him; depending on the route said receiver is running. His instincts in this aspect of the game are second to none. In reality, teams can utilize him as a man-cover defender on a consistent basis. His ball-hawking skills also border on elite. Vaccaro does well in space and will not struggle finding the ball and making a play on it prior to the receiver making his final cut. 

Athleticism: Probably the most athletic safety in the class not named D.J. Swearinger. This Texas product excels playing on the outside and in the box. He will not get thrown off his coverage by smaller receivers or tight ends and tends to be able to stick with them on a consistent basis. He is known to have run a 4.68 40-yard dash, which is pretty darn solid for a safety. You will not see a more athletic free safety enter the NFL. 

Versatility: This is absolutely huge. Vaccaro can actually line up outside against top-flight wide receivers. He actually lined up against fellow 2013 NFL Draft prospects Terrance Williams and Ryan Swope and did a darn good job. He has the fluid hips and understanding to actually handle that role. While Vaccaro's strength is obviously along the back side of the defense as a safety, he'd be a major asset to a team like the San Francisco 49ers, who like to switch up their secondary schemes by moving corners and safeties around. You simply cannot say this for many players in the NFL. I guess the best comparison would be Charles Woodson, who was able to play both corner and safety previously in his career before moving to a pure safety role late in his career. 

Man Coverage: This goes without saying. If Vaccaro can line up against wide receivers on the outside, he can play man coverage. With that said, he isn't just a pure-press guy on the outside. The Texas product will be able to play off man or zone and come through aces. Again, this makes him a special asset. 

In-the-Box Play: Vaccaro can switch up between free safety and strong safety. He isn't one of those defensive backs that are afraid of contact. Instead, he seems to love the idea of getting in the box and going up against wide receivers, tight end or running backs. 

Weaknesses

Tackling Inconsistency: While Vaccaro isn't afraid of contact, he does tend to struggle with tackling. He gets too high at times and can miss a tackle here and there. In addition, he will not hold his own on a consistent basis against bigger offensive players. These are two things that can be fixed with seasoning and a natural growth as it relates to his frame. 

Run Defense: Again, it's all about technique here. Vaccaro will stick his nose right in there and become an extra defender against the run, which is rare for someone playing free safety. He will, however, struggle holding his own against larger running backs. This will only be magnified going up against better competition in the NFL. 

Bottom Line 

There is no doubt in my mind that Vaccaro is top-10 worthy. The issue with him going that high is that the free safety class is extremely deep. Will teams make the decision to get "better value" later with the likes of Eric Reid and Phillip Thomas? If so, Vaccaro could actually find himself slide a bit on draft day. 

That being said, I don't envision a scenario where he slips past either the Cincinnati Bengals or St. Louis Rams. If he falls to the middle of the first round, I also expect rumors to circulate about San Francisco using its wide array of picks to move up for him. As it is, Vaccaro's ceiling is likely the New York Jets at nine. 

In terms of him as a player, Vaccaro will be an immediate upgrade in coverage for a whole host of teams. In fact, he might be a Pro Bowl-caliber safety out of the gate. His ceiling as a player is the BEST free safety in the NFL.