2020 NFL Draft – Safety Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – S:

You are currently viewing the best safeties in the 2020 NFL Draft. Our top safety prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the best defensive backs in college football. Even though only about 20 will get selected in the draft, many more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite. Find who is a first round talent, and who is likely nothing more than a training camp body. Find strong safeties and free safeties that are draft sleepers and draft stars, learn who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued.

BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2020 safety prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 16, 2020)

2020:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

Grant Delpit didn’t have as great of a season statistically this past year, but he was the leader of a great LSU defense. Part of his decreased numbers was a different role and a nagging injury, and I don’t see it as any reason for concern. Delpit has really good size for the position, the physicality of a linebacker, and coverage skills nearing that of a great corner. He plays with strong hands to knock balls free and force fumbles, while showing great anticipation as a deep safety. He doesn’t have the hip speed of a corner which will hurt his ability as a slot safety, but he has a lot of scheme versatility, the leadership of Jamal Adams, and is incredibly well coached. He should be a good culture changer who can go to a bad defense and help turn them around as a unit.

2019 Stats

14 games: 65 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 9 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble forced

Most people believe Xavier McKinney is the best safety in the class, and he certainly might be. He has the best versatility at the position, having succeeded in the box, ranging at free safety, and in the slot. While he plays bigger than he is, his frame isn’t anything special, and he has short arms. He plays smooth and fluid like a corner, but is capable of laying down a big hit. My favorite part of his game is his ability to rake the ball free and force fumbles, having forced 4 this past season. Statistically he’s far superior to Delpit, but his frame and athleticism is a bit less impressive. McKinney also has a high IQ, is an on-field coach, and a great leader.

2019 Stats

13 games: 95 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 8 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 4 fumbles forced

Winfield is an incredibly productive safety who has battled injuries over the past few years. He doesn’t look like an NFL safety at first glance, having a similar body (and instincts, while we’re at it) to Tyrann Mathieu. Wifield has very fast closing speed, is an aggressive tackler, and offers a lot of scheme versatility. While his height won’t allow him to be anything special against tight ends, he’s succeed in the slot, in the box, and as a free safety. He has great speed for the position and can jump passing lanes incredibly well. His football IQ is incredibly high and he doesn’t get tricked by play action or other play fakes, which is a rare traits for a sophomore. He’s a high quality leader and coaches probably fell in love with him in interviews.

2019 Stats

12 games: 83 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 8 passes defended, 7 interceptions, 2 fumbles forced.

Kyle Dugger is a pure football player with elite athleticism that stands out on tape. The old saying goes that if you can’t tell which player you’re scouting in 5 players, he’s not worth your time. Dugger will make splashy plays left and right, rarely ever missing a tackle and always taking the right angles. He great in man coverage for a big safety, and offers a lot of position versatility. An NFL prospect is expected to look like a man amongst boys at the D2 level, but Dugger still looked that way at the combine with his chiseled frame and incredible athleticism. He’s also a great punt returner who can compete in special teams. Of course, the speed of the game and ability of quarterback will be a light years leap for Dugger, and you can’t be sure he’ll be able to translate that play.

2019 Stats

7 games: 31 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 6 passes defended, 2 interceptions

Ashtyn Davis is a track star who would have lit the combine up if he participated in speed drills. His speed, fast first step, and solid build give him plenty of tools that teams can build around. He is still pretty raw as a prospect despite playing quite a bit of football, and he has as much range as anyone in the class when playing over the top. While he plays tough, he doesn’t always wrap up and will need to fine tune that aspect of his game. Football IQ and instinctiveness are only average at best, and his technique in man coverage is pretty sloppy. Davis also has the added concern of a medical flag that was given at the Senior Bowl, which could cause him to fall on draft day.

2019 Stats

11 games: 55 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble forced

Complete draft rankings for 2020 – Safety

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2020: | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

There was a point where I considered this a horrible safety class. Grant Delpit was being billed as a top 5 talent, which was extremely over-selling his talent, and there wasn’t much depth. After the senior bowl and combine, this class now looks like it is at least average. Delpit is now being viewed more properly as a late first round to early second rounder, while McKinney has joined him with that status. The emergence of small schoolers Kyle Dugger and Jeremy Chinn has greatly strengthened the top of the class, while Antoine Winfield Jr. showed he had enough athleticism and natural talent to translate his college production to the pros. Safety tends to have solid depth, and it still does, but your odds of finding a 7th round or undrafted safety this year are more slim than usual. Most of the safeties at the top of the class will be coveted for their ability to play multiple roles. With the continued emergence of running backs and tight ends in the passing game, teams are using more and more defensive backs, putting greater emphasis on having a well-rounded safety. Almost everyone in the top end of the class fits this description.