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.
View photos from fourth round pick and former Iowa safety Dane Belton.
Iowa defenders Daviyon Nixon (54)and Dane Belton (4) tackle Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020.Iowa defeated Penn State 41-21. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Iowa's Dane Belton (4) celebrates as teammate Jermari Harris (27) intercepts a pass in the final Nebraska drive during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton reacts after making an interception against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton, left, is tackled by Northwestern wide receiver Stephon Robinson Jr., after he intercepted a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (4) gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (4) sets prior to a play at the line of scrimmage during the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. Michigan won 42-3. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (4) gets set for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. Purdue won 24-7. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs on the field during an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (4) signals after a Southern California fumble during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in San Diego. Iowa won 49-24. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)
Iowa State wide receiver Darren Wilson (17) runs the ball as Iowa defensive backs Riley Moss (33) and Dane Belton (4) make the tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa won 27-17. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Iowa's Dane Belton during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs on the field during an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton gets set for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 49-7. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 6, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) participates in a drill during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 6, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) participates in a drill during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 6, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) participates in a drill during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 6, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 6, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 6, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton (42) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Iowa defensive back Dane Belton speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
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