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Steve Atwater HOF (College Stats) - 1989 NFL Draft Pick #20 by DEN

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Certainly! Below is a pre-draft analysis for Steve Atwater, a Hall of Fame player, from the 1989 NFL Draft, formatted in HTML. ```html

Pre-Draft Analysis: Steve Atwater

College: University of Arkansas
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6'3", 218 lbs
College Stats:

• 1986: 61 tackles, 2 interceptions
• 1987: 90 tackles, 4 interceptions
• 1988: 75 tackles, 4 interceptions

Strengths

• Physical Attributes: Atwater's size and speed made him an imposing figure on the field. His combination of height and weight allowed him to excel in both run support and pass coverage.
• Playmaking Ability: Known for his knack for intercepting passes, Atwater consistently demonstrated his ability to create turnovers, making him a valuable asset in the secondary.
• Tackling Skills: With a reputation for delivering bone-crushing hits, Atwater's tackling technique was both effective and intimidating, often leading to game-changing plays.

Weaknesses

• Inconsistency: While Atwater had moments of brilliance, there were times when he struggled with consistency in coverage, particularly against quicker receivers.
• Injury Concerns: There were some concerns about his durability, as he had faced minor injuries during his college career that could affect his transition to the NFL.

Overall Assessment

Steve Atwater entered the 1989 NFL Draft as one of the most highly regarded safety prospects. His impressive college career at the University of Arkansas showcased his ability to impact games with his physical style of play and his instinct for finding the football. Teams looking for a dynamic playmaker in the secondary were particularly drawn to Atwater's skill set. Despite some concerns regarding consistency and durability, his potential to become a cornerstone of a defense made him a likely first-round selection.

Projected Draft Position

Atwater was projected to be selected in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft due to his combination of size, speed, and playmaking ability, making him one of the top safety prospects that year.

``` This HTML content provides a comprehensive pre-draft analysis of Steve Atwater, including his college stats and assessments of his strengths and weaknesses, as well as projections for his draft position.