After being drafted in the fourth round and two years playing nickel corner, Coby Bryant’s role changed in 2024—and he responded in kind. Converted to safety, the Seahawks defender found a new identity in Mike Macdonald’s defensive system, demonstrating football intelligence, good field reading, and natural instincts for the deep play.
In this analysis, we explore how Bryant adapted technically to his new role, his key assets on the field, and how his season can be considered a turning point in his career.
Transition from Nickel to Safety: Reading and positioning as a difference
Bryant was a standout in Cincinnati. He even won the Jim Thorpe Award the year he was drafted. It’s worth noting that his teammate, Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, was the star player and didn’t win the award. Coby gained starting status, but in a role he had never played before: nickel.
It was a season of ups and downs, with forced fumbles and missed tackles. The following year, the Seahawks drafted Devon Witherspoon, becoming the team’s new nickelback, and Bryant was moved to backup. Lost and without a chance, he began the transition to safety in an attempt to stay on the roster.
The main technical changes involved:
Deeper angle of attack
Reading the QB and no longer exclusively the WR
Pedal and bail technique (controlled retreat) to maintain a wide field view
Transitions from coverage to fill against the run game
Instead of reacting to short routes in the slot, Bryant now had responsibility for the deep middle or the lateral third of the field, depending on the call. His transition was fluid thanks to his tactical intelligence—always playing with his eyes on the backfield without losing his sense of depth.
Impact numbers in the 2024 season
PFF data for safeties with at least 100 snaps;
Games: 15
Snaps as Safety: 651
PFF Defense Grade: 72.8 (27th);
Coverage Grade (PFF): 68 (32nd);
Run Grade (PFF): 79.5 (21st);
Pressures: 5 (24th);
Total Tackles: 62 (32nd);
Run Stops: 15 (41st);
Yards Given Up: 213 (64th);
Pass Deflections: 3 (27th);
Interceptions: 3 (12th);
TDs Given Up in Coverage: 1 (21st)
Techniques used by Coby Bryant as a safety
1. Zone Eyes:
He used eye reading on the QB, anticipating throws on crossing routes and corner routes. This resulted in six pass breakups and three interceptions in 2024, according to Pro Football Reference.
2. Shuffle Bail:
A technique in which he drops laterally in the zone to maintain peripheral vision. This movement prevented big plays on long 2nd down situations, where he prevented several deep connections.
3. Trigger downhill:
Bryant excelled at reacting quickly to defend the run game, making 28 solo tackles, 15 of which were defensive stops. His ability to recognize the run-pass option and attack short angles was essential against outside-zone attacks.
This trigger to sprint toward the opponent’s field is good, and not just against the run. He anticipates the screen and arrives quickly on the play. It’s a shame it was still a first down.
There were 8 missed tackles, something that needs to be improved for 2025, especially since it’s a long-standing problem.
Processing and adapting to the new position
If anyone can explain to me what he was trying to do here, I’d appreciate it.
This was a mistake he made as a nickel. This off-coverage stance doesn’t make sense in a short conversion situation. He doesn’t have the elite explosiveness to cut off this type of pass.
It’s a snap that exemplifies his adaptation to his new position. The Bills are in a 3-on-1 set. Bryant spends a lot of time on the side with only one receiver. This prevents him from making any plays on the other side of the field and allows him to advance.
Pay attention to this sequence; it shows Bryant’s evolution and ability to learn. It’s impossible to find a player who doesn’t make mistakes, so look for one who knows how to recover and learn from them. The Seahawks make some positional changes and end up with Spoon and Bryant deep downfield. The safety is man-to-man marking receiver Michael Wilson. He tries to anticipate a crosser route, which doesn’t happen and gives him space to be beaten deep.
In the same game, we have a similar situation. He reads the eyes of the QB, who was rushed by Derick Hall. Note that Ernest Jones and Julian Love cover the same zone, in what could become busted coverage. With the QB throwing the ball, Bryant takes a good angle to cut off the passing lane and make the interception.
Seattle is in a one-on-one situation again, and he shows improvement. The Seahawks have three defenders to three receivers on the play side, in theory. Spoon is sent on the blitz and rushes Brock Purdy, who throws a checkdown to Jauan Jennings. The WR is marked by Bryant, who this time is more cautious, waiting for the cut to fire and try to get to the tackle. He misses the first time, but his fighting mentality keeps him in the play and he prevents the conversion, a play that was crucial to the Seahawks’ victory.
This play has been featured in several articles here on the site, presenting different points of view. We finally get to the creator of the pick six. There’s an important detail in the play that goes unnoticed, but in my opinion, it shows Bryant’s evolution.
When he realizes Murray has the ball, he doesn’t panic. Notice how he takes a few steps back, seeking better positioning. This is the safety’s mentality. The safety doesn’t need to make a big play every snap; he needs to be the team’s last line of defense, the difference between a first down and a TD.
After adjusting to a better positioning, he keeps Murray in his sights. He sees the dropped pass and attacks the ball, running for a pick-six.
PS: Give this guy style points for his fantastic celebration.
⬆️Potential
Excellent positioning in centerfield. He keeps his eyes on the QB and transitions well when changing direction to attack the ball. It wasn’t an interception, by any chance. This range isn’t far behind Quandre Diggs and Julian Love, and it’s crucial to keeping Bryant deep downfield, where I think he’s more protected from changes of direction in tight spaces, as was the case in the slot.
He changes direction just as Matt Stafford passes. He doesn’t get there to deflect the pass, but he has a chance to deliver a big hit, which is totally legal. Thank goodness they lifted the penalty shortly after.
Witherspoon loses at the line of scrimmage in a physical battle with the TE. This leaves the cornerback a step or two behind, which would have been enough for Josh Allen to get the TD. Bryant realizes he needs to help, tracks his opponent, and attacks the ball at the right time. Not too late to allow a TD, nor too early to trigger a penalty.
Extension
Some recent renewals and contracts:
Julian Love: 3 years, $33 million;
Amani Hooker: 3 years, $30 million
Jeremy Chinn: 2 years, $16.25 million;
Darnell Savage: 3 years, $21.75 million;
Donovan Wilson: 3 years, $21 million;
Brandon Jones: 3 years, $20 million;
Elijah Molden: 3 years, $18.75 million;
Based on the contract values above, I think Coby Bryant should be looking for somewhere between $6-8 million per year. My projection is 3 years, $19.5 million.
Conclusion: A new Coby Bryant, same competitive mindset
Coby Bryant’s transition to safety in 2024 wasn’t just a position adjustment—it was a reinvention. He retained the combative spirit and intelligence that distinguished him as a nickel corner, but now with a broader vision and greater responsibility. The result was a solid, reliable, and promising season, in which he proved himself a versatile asset in multiple defensive formations.
If he continues to evolve technically as he demonstrated in 2024, Bryant could establish himself as a long-term starting safety and even compete for greater recognition. For the Seahawks, he has become a quiet but vital highlight in a defense transitioning under a new philosophy.
