Read NFL.com's scouting report of Iowa safety Dane Belton, a fourth-round draft choice by the Giants:
SUMMARY
Belton was an all-state pick at Tampa's Jesuit High School, but his father, Danny, grew up in Iowa and was a big Hawkeyes fan. Dane decided to wear the black and gold and was rewarded with four starts at linebacker in eight appearances his true freshman season (33 tackles, two for loss). Belton was an honorable mention all-conference pick in 2020, starting all eight games at the "cash" safety/linebacker spot (33 tackles, 1.5 for loss, five pass breakups). He became a turnover machine while splitting 14 starts between cash linebacker and strong safety in 2021, tying for fourth in the FBS with five interceptions and garnering first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors (46 tackles, three for loss, seven pass breakups).
STRENGTHS
- Size/physicality to improve as a tackler.
- Play strength for coverage on Y tight ends.
- Physical with his route redirection in zone.
- Crowds target as early as possible inside the route.
- Marries zone movements to the quarterback's eyes.
- Overlaps coverage underneath to make plays in passing lane.
- Plays with ready hands to intercept what comes his way.
- Does a good job imposing size to disrupt catch attempts.
- Talent to locate and track the football downfield.
