Despite not being invited to attend the NFL Combine, Queiro has an excellent chance at contributing to an NFL team. The two-year starter broke out his senior season, leading Northwestern in interceptions and passes defended. Queiro’s NFL future may not be in a traditional safety role, as I explain later, but he has the potential to contribute on special teams as well as an outside linebacker in passing situations.

Measureables:

Queiro’s 40-yard dash time would have been the slowest among defensive backs at the NFL Combine. He also would have been one of the biggest at his position.

Strengths:

• He’s a clutch, timely playmaker and finished tied for second in the conference with five interceptions. We became accustomed to Queiro’s late-game heroics during his four years at Northwestern.

• Tackling ability is a plus. Queiro made 63-of-70 tackle attempts last season including this beautiful play as the Big Ten’s leading rusher, Jonathan Taylor, tried to get the edge.

• Being 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds makes Queiro an unorthodox safety. But his versatility cannot be understated. With the cornerback position decimated by injuries early last season, Queiro lined up at cornerback against Duke. He also frequently played the nickel position throughout his career. He posted an 87.9 coverage grade on PFF.

Weaknesses:

• Queiro often had the athleticism and awareness to compensate for his lack of elite speed. Sometimes, there’s nothing he can do.

• Queiro’s coverage numbers look great, especially because he was able to cover ground with his athleticism. This play simply doesn’t translate to the next level. That’s a 52-yard touchdown every single time.

Career Stats:

Projections:

Pro Football Focus was enamored with Queiro all season, and it still is. Queiro was the lone Northwestern player on PFF’s All-Big Ten First Team, thanks to his 39.2 passer rating against and five interceptions. In its latest mock draft, PFF has Queiro going in the 5th round (No. 155) to the Los Angeles Chargers, citing the necessity of a tight end coverage specialist to go up against three-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce twice a year. That would be something.

The majority of other outlets disagree and have Queiro going undrafted.

Outlook:

Queiro’s speed likely relegates him from playing a true safety position at the next level. But safety/linebacker hybrids are becoming used more frequently on passing downs to cover tight ends and running backs. NFL defenses are in nickel coverages the majority of snaps, and that’s a role Queiro could excel in. It would be surprising to see the former Northwestern safety selected in the 2018 NFL Draft. If he does go undrafted, Queiro will almost certainly find a spot on an NFL roster this summer as a free agent.