Gaulden was expected to play a key role at nickelback last season, but suffered a season-ending foot injury in fall camp. He is back and healthy for 2016, and Shoop said his move to safety has been beneficial for everyone.
“I think Rashaan Gaulden is a very natural safety,” Shoop told reporters Thursday. “If you were putting a want ad in the paper for a safety, obviously, he’s got to have linebacker toughness; check that box for Rashaan. Corner skills; check that box for Rashaan. He’s tall, long, athletic. And he’s got to have a quarterback’s mentality, and we’re in the process of checking that box.