Kingston Lopa S California |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Below-average long speed for a safety; range as a single-high defender is a question
• Zone discipline and run fits lag his man work; he can be late to fill the alley
• Misses too many tackles, including three against Clemson and two against UCLA
• Small sample: 186 Oregon snaps, and no picks since the three-game burst that included Syracuse

Scouting Report: Summary

Lopa barely played at Oregon, and five games into his Cal career the whole draft industry is talking about him. The appeal starts with his frame. At 6-foot-5 he has unusual length for a safety, and he uses it to close throwing windows and contest passes that other defensive backs cannot reach. His background as a high school receiver shows at the catch point: he tracks deep balls naturally and attacks them at their highest point, and his three-interception game against Syracuse, including a pick-six, was a showcase of his instincts and ball skills. Cal has also moved him all over the field, and his length lets him match up with tight ends and bigger slot receivers in man coverage.

However, five games is a small window, and real questions remain. His long speed is below average for a safety, which raises concerns about his range as a single-high defender, and his zone work and run fits are behind his man coverage. His tackling has been inconsistent, as he tends to come in too high and upright, and he missed three tackles against Clemson, and all five of his interceptions came in the first three games. The rest of the ACC schedule will show whether the hot start was a breakout or a blip.

Overall, Lopa is an intriguing, long and instinctive defensive back with ball skills that cannot be taught. Today he projects as a fourth-round safety, best used as a matchup weapon against tight ends, with the upside to start if he cleans up his tackling and proves his range holds up.