Complete 2025 NFL Draft S Rankings:
You are currently viewing our safety rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft. The safety position is increasing in value as more teams use a 3rd safety in their nickel packages, so how will that affect the draft position of these prospects?
Our top safety prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the most talented defensive backs in college football. Even though only about 20 will get selected in the draft, a lot more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite.
We’ll provide you with inside information to help you know which safeties will be stars, who will be a bust, and which sleepers will shock the world.
BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2025 NFL draft safety prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.
(Last Updated: March 9, 2025)
1. Malaki Starks, Georgia
S | 6’1″ | 205 lbs | 3rd Year
Malaki Starks was one of the top high school recruits in the nation in 2022, and immediately became a vital part of Georgia’s powerhouse defense.
Starks is an elite all around athlete with the speed, acceleration, and body control to make any play you need from him. He aligns all over the field for Georgia, with quick hips to defend in the slot, good instincts when ranging deep, and the strength and tackling form to roam near the line of scrimmage.
The stats this year don’t jump off the page, but Starks played as well as ever. He’s the rare kind of blue chip prospect with the mix of athletic talent, mental game, and work ethic to be guaranteed at least an above average starter (assuming health).
Malaki Starks 2024 Stats
14 games: 77 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 passes defended, 1 interception
2. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
S | 6’3″ | 225 lbs | 3rd Year
Nick Emmanwori is a massive safety with incredible athletic ability who was an immediate contributor for South Carolina as a true freshman. Emmanwori has as much size as many modern NFL linebackers, standing 6’3″ 225 pounds with long arms. But he’s also fast, has quick enough feet to mirror in coverage, and knows how to use his length to break up passes.
Emmanwori spends most of his time as a box safety matching up with tight ends, but regularly splits out to the slot or drops back deep. He has long strides and a fast backpedal that help him defending the long ball. He’s also one of the hardest hitting safeties in the class, with a very low missed tackle rate.
Instincts are decent, and it’s really a matter of refining his game and finding a system that lets him spend a lot of time near the line of scrimmage. If he can do that, he’ll have a chance for an elite career.
Nick Emmanwori 2024 Stats
13 games: 88 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended, 4 interceptions
3. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
S | 6’2″ | 205 lbs | 3rd Year
Kevin Winston Jr. is one of many high caliber defensive back prospects whose season was cut short with an injury, suffering a torn ACL early in the year. He should be ready for training camp, but unfortunately missed a ton of development time.
In 2023 he was quietly one of the better safeties in the nation. With a prototypical NFL frame and impressive instincts, Winston emerged as an elite run stopper from the safety position and one of the most reliable tacklers in college football. He’s at his best driving downhill, but has quick enough hips, speed, and length to recover in coverage.
He’s only really played one season of meaningful football due to the injury, so he’s still a bit raw.
Kevin Winston Jr. 2024 Stats
3 games: 13 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 fumble forced
4. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
S | 6’0″ | 205 lbs | 5th Year
Every year there are a couple of prospects who are obviously dominant football players. Fans know it, coaches know it, other players know it. And yet they’re drafted later than they should be because they have only average size and athleticism. Sure enough, they almost always outperform their draft position. That’ll be the story of Xavier Watts this year.
Watts won’t break the internet with his NFL Combine performance, but he has truly elite instincts and ball skills, paired with enough physical traits to translate it to the NFL. Watts has combined for 13 interceptions across the past two seasons, by far the most in college football throughout that period.
He’s also a willing contributor in the run game, showing a fast trigger and effectively identifying underneath plays. The only thing holding him back is some slightly tight hips and below-desired top end speed.
Xavier Watts 2024 Stats
14 games: 66 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 15 passes defended, 6 interceptions, 1 fumble forced
5. Jonas Sanker, Virginia
S | 6’0″ | 205 lbs | 4th Year
Jonas Sanker is a downhill safety who immediately jumps out on film because he’s always at the ball.
Sanker is a hard hitter with a very fast trigger, consistently blowing up run plays behind the line of scrimmage. He should be able to continue this in the NFL thanks to an impressive blend of size, speed, and a quick first step.
In coverage Sanker is solid. He’s got enough athletic ability and strength to cover man to man if needed, and has the vision necessary to play in zone. He might struggle against particularly quick slot receivers, but otherwise should hold is own in coverage.
Jonas Sanker 2024 Stats
12 games: 98 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 interception
Complete 2025 Safety Draft Rankings
| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | AGE | HT | WT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malaki Starks | Georgia | 3rd | 6'1" | 197 |
| 2 | Nick Emmanwori | South Carolina | 3rd | 6'3" | 220 |
| 3 | Kevin Winston Jr. | Penn State | 3rd | 6'2" | 215 |
| 4 | Xavier Watts | Notre Dame | 5th | 6'0" | 204 |
| 5 | Jonas Sanker | Virginia | 4th | 6'0" | 206 |
| 6 | Jaylen Reed | Penn State | 4th | 6'0" | 211 |
| 7 | Andrew Mukuba | Texas | 4th | 5'11" | 186 |
| 8 | Malachi Moore | Alabama | 5th | 5'11" | 196 |
| 9 | Jordan Hancock | Ohio State | 4th | 6'0" | 195 |
| 10 | Billy Bowman | Oklahoma | 4th | 5'10" | 192 |
| 11 | Lathan Ransom | Ohio State | 5th | 6'0" | 206 |
| 12 | Hunter Wohler | Wisconsin | 4th | 6'2" | 213 |
| 13 | Keondre Jackson | Illinois State | 5th | 6'2" | 211 |
| 14 | RJ Mickens | Clemson | 5th | 6'0" | 199 |
| 15 | Sebastian Castro | Iowa | 6th | 5'11" | 203 |
| 16 | Malik Verdon | Iowa State | 4th | 6'4" | 218 |
| 17 | Shamari Simmons | Arizona State | 6th | 6'0" | 195 |
| 18 | Marques Sigle | Kansas State | 5th | 5'11" | 199 |
| 19 | Makari Paige | Michigan | 5th | 6'4" | 205 |
| 20 | Donovan McMillon | Pittsburgh | 4th | 6'2" | 208 |
| 21 | Maxen Hook | Toledo | 5th | 6'1" | 202 |
| 22 | Craig Woodson | California | 6th | 6'0" | 200 |
| 23 | Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig | Colorado | 4th | 5'10" | 184 |
| 24 | Major Burns | LSU | 5th | 6'2" | 204 |
| 25 | TaMuarion Wilson | Central Arkansas | 5th | 6'2" | 215 |
| 26 | Dante Trader Jr. | Maryland | 4th | 5'11" | 196 |
| 27 | Akili Arnold | USC | 6th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 28 | Rayuan Lane III | Navy | 4th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 29 | Kitan Crawford | Nevada | 5th | 5'11" | 202 |
| 30 | De'Rickey Wright | Vanderbilt | 5th | 6'3" | 214 |
| 31 | Tysheem Johnson | Oregon | 4th | 5'10" | 200 |
| 32 | CJ Baskerville | Texas Tech | 4th | 6'3" | 210 |
| 33 | John Saunders Jr. | Ole Miss | 5th | 6'2" | 200 |
| 34 | Kobe Savage | Oregon | 6th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 35 | Mishael Powell | Miami (FL) | 6th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 36 | Dan Jackson | Georgia | 6th | 6'0" | 194 |
| 37 | JJ Roberts | Marshall | 5th | 5'11" | 181 |
| 38 | Yam Banks | Ole Miss | 5th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 39 | Jack Howell | Colorado State | 4th | 5'10" | 200 |
| 40 | Trey Rucker | Oklahoma State | 6th | 6'0" | 212 |
| 41 | Jerrin Thompson | Auburn | 5th | 6'0" | 190 |
| 42 | Nate Valcarcel | Northern Illinois | 5th | 6'1" | 190 |
| 43 | Jackson Findlay | Western | 4th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 44 | Shilo Sanders | Colorado | 6th | 6'0" | 195 |
| 45 | Kenny Gallop Jr. | Howard | 5th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 46 | Jordan Clark | Notre Dame | 6th | 5'9" | 180 |
| 47 | Alijah Clark | Syracuse | 4th | 6'1" | 188 |
| 48 | Abe Camara | TCU | 5th | 6'0" | 190 |
| 49 | Trey Washington | Ole Miss | 4th | 5'10" | 205 |
| 50 | Tamarion McDonald | Louisville | 5th | 6'2" | 210 |
| 51 | Myles Redding | Mercer | 4th | 6'1" | 195 |
| 52 | Robert McDaniel | Jackson State | 6th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 53 | Shaquan Loyal | Rutgers | 4th | 6'0" | 204 |
| 54 | Aubrey Burks | West Virginia | 4th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 55 | CJ Taylor | Vanderbilt | 4th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 56 | Hudson Clark | Arkansas | 6th | 6'2" | 190 |
| 57 | Max DiDomenico | Army | 4th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 58 | Jaaron Joseph | Emporia State | 4th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 59 | Seyi Oladipo | Boise State | 4th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 60 | Beau Freyler | Iowa State | 4th | 6'2" | 220 |
| 61 | Josiah Johnson | Ouachita Baptist | 5th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 62 | Corey Ellington | Mississippi State | 4th | 6'3" | 200 |
| 63 | Quinn Schulte | Iowa | 6th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 64 | Derrick Canteen | Cincinnati | 6th | 5'11" | 190 |
| 65 | Eric Cumberbatch | Ottawa (Canada) | 4th | 6'3" | 185 |
| 66 | Zion Childress | Kentucky | 5th | 5'11" | 183 |
| 67 | Jaden Voisin | South Alabama | 6th | 5'10" | 210 |
| 68 | Desmond Igbinosun | Rutgers | 4th | 6'2" | 210 |
| 69 | Omar Rogers | East Carolina | 6th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 70 | Kamren Fabiculanan | Washington | 6th | 6'1" | 200 |
| 71 | Jamal Potts | Florida International | 5th | 6'2" | 195 |
| 72 | Dennis Shorter | South Dakota | 5th | 5'10" | 195 |
| 73 | Jack Henderson | Minnesota | 5th | 6'2" | 215 |
| 74 | LaMiles Brooks | Georgia Tech | 5th | 6'2" | 190 |
| 75 | Camby Goff | Air Force | 5th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 76 | Wande Owens | New Hampshire | 6th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 77 | Joseph Charleston | Missouri | 6th | 6'0" | 195 |
| 78 | Trevian Thomas | Arkansas State | 5th | 5'11" | 195 |
| 79 | Donovan Kaufman | NC State | 5th | 5'10" | 205 |
| 80 | Jordan Polk | Texas State | 6th | 6'0" | 190 |
| 81 | Marcus Barnes | William & Mary | 6th | 6'3" | 190 |
| 82 | Alaka'i Gilman | Utah | 5th | 5'9" | 195 |
| 83 | Flip Dixon | Rutgers | 5th | 6'2" | 210 |
| 84 | Marcus Fuqua | Buffalo | 6th | 6'0" | 195 |
| 85 | Ashton Miller-Melancon | Queen's | 4th | 6'2" | 200 |
| 86 | Alexander Teubner | Boise State | 6th | 6'1" | 195 |
| 87 | Bryan Addison | UCLA | 7th | 6'4" | 185 |
| 88 | Justin Parks | Arkansas State | 4th | 6'0" | 195 |
| 89 | Will Brooks | Tennessee | 5th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 90 | Mike Smith Jr. | Eastern Kentucky | 5th | 6'1" | 213 |
| 91 | Mason Chambers | Incarnate Word | 5th | 6'0" | 210 |
| 92 | Mbiti Williams | Navy | 4th | 5'9" | 185 |
| 93 | Shawn Asbury II | Indiana | 4th | 5'10" | 200 |
| 94 | Bryson Shaw | USC | 6th | 6'0" | 190 |
| 95 | Tanner Volk | Central Washington | 4th | 6'1" | 190 |
| 96 | Asa Turner | Florida | 6th | 6'3" | 200 |
| 97 | Shiloh Means | Penn | 5th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 98 | Anthony Wilson | West Virginia | 6th | 5'9" | 200 |
| 99 | Dean Clark | Fresno State | 6th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 100 | Jordan Vincent | Utah State | 5th | 5'10" | 190 |
| 101 | Brandon Johnson | Oregon | 4th | 5'10" | 185 |
| 102 | Gabe Taylor | Rice | 5th | 5'10" | 195 |
| 103 | Wesley Walker | Michigan | 6th | 6'1" | 200 |
| 104 | Wyett Ekeler | Wyoming | 5th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 105 | Rod Heard II | Notre Dame | 6th | 5'11" | 190 |
| 106 | Antavious Lane | North Carolina | 6th | 5'9" | 190 |
| 107 | Tommy McCormick | Idaho | 5th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 108 | Angelo Grose | Michigan State | 5th | 5'10" | 185 |
| 109 | Kristian Story | Kentucky | 5th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 110 | Oshae Baker | UT-Martin | 5th | 5'10" | 200 |
| 111 | Antonio Carter II | Jacksonville State | 6th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 112 | Henry Blackburn | Colorado State | 5th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 113 | Isaac Gifford | Nebraska | 5th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 114 | Jaylen Stinson | Duke | 5th | 5'8" | 175 |
| 115 | Glendon Miller | Maryland | 5th | 6'2" | 196 |
| 116 | RJ Moten | Florida | 5th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 117 | OJ Burroughs | Kansas | 4th | 5'10" | 185 |
| 118 | Terry Jones | Indiana | 6th | 6'1" | 200 |
| 119 | Nick Bafia | Butler | 4th | 6'1" | 200 |
| 120 | Cameron Broussard | Washington | 5th | 6'3" | 195 |
| 121 | Tyrone Lewis | Louisiana | 6th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 122 | Jayden Johnson | Arkansas | 4th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 123 | Jonathan McGill | SMU | 6th | 5'10" | 185 |
| 124 | Max Epps | East Texas A&M | 6th | 5'11" | 185 |
| 125 | Paul Lewis III | Akron | 6th | 6'2" | 210 |
| 126 | Kobe Hylton | Oklahoma State | 6th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 127 | Saiku White | Lafayette | 4th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 128 | Quinten Johnson | Michigan | 6th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 129 | Isaac White | Wyoming | 5th | 6'1" | 200 |
| 130 | Jakeen Harris | North Carolina | 6th | 5'11" | 190 |
| 131 | Ubayd Steed | Southern Illinois | 4th | 5'11" | 195 |
| 132 | MJ Griffin | Louisville | 6th | 6'1" | 200 |
| 133 | Dylan Lawrence | Southern Miss | 6th | 6'4" | 215 |
| 134 | KJ Martin | NC State | 6th | 6'1" | 195 |
| 135 | Kory Chapman | UTEP | 5th | 5'10" | 180 |
| 136 | Coco Azema | Northwestern | 6th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 137 | Sheldon Arnold II | UCF | 5th | 6'1" | 190 |
| 138 | George Ramirez | Southern Utah | 4th | 5'10" | 185 |
| 139 | Jordan Riley | Kansas State | 4th | 6'0" | 200 |
| 140 | Jayden Hill | North Texas | 6th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 141 | Josh Minkins | Cincinnati | 5th | 6'2" | 200 |
| 142 | Devonte' Mathews | Western Kentucky | 6th | 5'9" | 190 |
| 143 | Larry Elder | Valdosta State | 5th | 6'0" | 200 |
| 144 | Reuben Lowery III | Chattanooga | 5th | 5'9" | 195 |
| 145 | Khalil Baker | Elon | 6th | 6'0" | 190 |
| 146 | Owen Goss | Arizona | 5th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 147 | Ty Trinh | Villanova | 5th | 6'0" | 210 |
| 148 | Rodney Robinson | Boise State | 5th | 5'8" | 180 |
| 149 | Nate Capers | Bloomsburg | 4th | 6'3" | 205 |
| 150 | Tyler Rudolph | Massachusetts | 7th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 151 | Emmanuel Gomes | Rhode Island | 6th | 6'0" | 200 |
| 152 | Darius Sanders | Incarnate Word | 4th | 6'2" | 200 |
| 153 | Quadric Bullard | UCF | 5th | 6'0" | 170 |
| 154 | Kenyatta Watson | Georgia State | 6th | 6'0" | 189 |
| 155 | Amon Scarbrough | Alabama State | 4th | 5'11" | 185 |
| 156 | Cale Sanders Jr. | SMU | 4th | 5'10" | 190 |
| 157 | Ja'Had Carter | NC State | 5th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 158 | Josh Sanguinetti | Indiana | 6th | 6'1" | 195 |
| 159 | Jaxon Lee | Montana | 5th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 160 | Trey Jones III | Texas A&M | 6th | 6'2" | 215 |
| 161 | Tre'Vez Johnson | Missouri | 5th | 5'10" | 200 |
| 162 | Armani-Eli Adams | Western Michigan | 7th | 5'11" | 195 |
| 163 | Malik Chavis | UNLV | 6th | 6'3" | 195 |
| 164 | Shamus Jones | VMI | 4th | 6'3" | 210 |
| 165 | Justin Fleming | Winston-Salem State | 4th | 6'2" | 200 |
| 166 | Virdel Edwards II | Hawaii | 5th | 6'2" | 215 |
| 167 | Peyton Buckley | Augustana | 6th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 168 | Rylan Ortt | Montana State | 6th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 169 | Darius Bruce | Indiana (PA) | 4th | 6'1" | 185 |
| 170 | Jaise Oliver | TCU | 6th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 171 | Colby Huerter | South Dakota State | 4th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 172 | Keyshawn Cobb | Nevada | 6th | 5'10" | 205 |
| 173 | Javius Williams | Texas Southern | 5th | 6'0" | 190 |
| 174 | Kole Jones | NC Central | 4th | 5'10" | 195 |
| 175 | Mateo Sudipo | Western Carolina | 6th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 176 | Sidney Williams | Missouri | 5th | 6'1" | 190 |
| 177 | Dion Kuinlan | Assumption | 4th | 5'10" | 190 |
| 178 | Mekhi Miller | Cincinnati | 6th | 6'1" | 200 |
| 179 | Donta Stuart | Tarleton State | 6th | 5'10" | 175 |
| 180 | Chance Keith | Army | 4th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 181 | Ian Kennelly | Grand Valley State | 6th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 182 | Lovie Jenkins | Murray State | 5th | 6'1" | 195 |
| 183 | Raymond Woodie III | Bethune-Cookman | 6th | 6'0" | 190 |
| 184 | Davaughn Celestine | SMU | 6th | 6'0" | 190 |
| 185 | DJ Douglas | Florida | 6th | 6'0" | 210 |
| 186 | Khamron Ford | SE Louisiana | 4th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 187 | Xavier Robiou | Howard | 4th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 188 | Travis Jay | Colorado | 6th | 6'2" | 200 |
| 189 | Ca'ron Coleman | Dayton | 4th | 5'10" | 200 |
| 190 | Kaonohi Kaniho | Boise State | 5th | 5'10" | 180 |
| 191 | Coryell Pierce | SE Louisiana | 4th | 5'11" | 190 |
| 192 | Cameren Grodhaus | Davenport | 5th | 6'2" | 210 |
| 193 | Preston Murray | Georgetown | 4th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 194 | Charles Brown | Kutztown | 6th | 6'0" | 185 |
| 195 | David Spaulding | South Carolina | 6th | 6'1" | 200 |
| 196 | Ja'Qurious Conley | Charlotte | 5th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 197 | Kolby Merritt | Fayetteville State | 5th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 198 | Jordan White | Hampton | 6th | 5'11" | 190 |
| 199 | Jamarius Brown | Southern | 4th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 200 | Parker Rochford | Wartburg | 4th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 201 | CJ Bufkin | Illinois | 4th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 202 | Lucas Huttinga | Dordt | 4th | 6'5" | 205 |
| 203 | Andrew Schumacher | UW-River Falls | 4th | 6'0" | 210 |
| 204 | Abraham Temoney III | Coastal Carolina | 6th | 6'4" | 200 |
| 205 | Caleb Parker | Baylor | 5th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 206 | Jamere Jones | Nebraska-Kearney | 6th | 6'0" | 210 |
| 207 | Tyler Radocha | Drake | 5th | 5'11" | 195 |
| 208 | Asauni Allen | Colgate | 4th | 5'11" | 190 |
| 209 | Will Pickren | Citadel | 5th | 6'2" | 175 |
| 210 | Canary Simmons | Texas Southern | 4th | 5'11" | 175 |
| 211 | Josiah Banks | Army | 4th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 212 | Rara Dillworth | Baylor | 4th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 213 | Michael Brown | Indianapolis | 5th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 214 | Jeremy Justice | Cal Poly | 5th | 6'2" | 200 |
| 215 | Imir Lilliston | Millersville | 6th | 5'10" | 185 |
| 216 | Herman Smith | Colorado | 4th | 6'1" | 190 |
| 217 | Timothy Leatherman | McMurry | 4th | 5'11" | 190 |
| 218 | Khwan Mickens | Concord | 6th | 6'1" | 190 |
| 219 | Brandon Williams | Mississippi Valley | 6th | 5'10" | 180 |
| 220 | King-Demenian Ford | South Carolina | 5th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 221 | Thad Metcalfe | Baker | 4th | 5'9" | 175 |
| 222 | Jomier Augustine | Southeastern (FL) | 7th | 5'10" | 200 |
| 223 | Brennan Boron | Waynesburg | 4th | 6'0" | 180 |
| 224 | Kenneth Borders | Georgetown | 4th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 225 | Sage Luther | Illinois | 5th | 5'10" | 195 |
| 226 | Asle Thorson | Iowa State | 5th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 227 | Skip Velotta | LSU | 6th | 5'9" | 205 |
| 228 | Hamilton Baker | Army | 5th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 229 | Naeem Alexander | Shepherd | 5th | 5'9" | 160 |
| 230 | Tommy Zitiello | Army | 4th | 6'1" | 195 |
| 231 | Brandon Higgs | Southeastern (FL) | 5th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 232 | Bubba McAtee | Clemson | 5th | 6'3" | 210 |
| 233 | Carlos Greene | UMass-Dartmouth | 5th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 234 | Daiichi Kimura | Waseda (Japan) | - | 5'11" | 195 |
| 235 | Shota Nagumo | Hosei (Japan) | - | 6'0" | 200 |
MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
Traits That Make a Safety Prospect Great
Safety play puts a little more emphasis on instincts and reaction time than physical traits, but an ideal safety prospect excels in both aspects. Play recognition, coverage technique, and overall versatility are among some of the most important factors to consider when scouting the top safety prospects in the draft.
Some of the factors we consider when scouting are included below.
Play Recognition
Safeties play a lot of different roles, but the traditional responsibility is making sure no one gets over the top of the defense. Recognizing deep routes in time to prevent the big play, while also recognizing play action and run plays to stay in position is vital. If a safety misreads a situation, you’re vulnerable for a massive play.
Coverage Technique
Safety prospects need the ability to cover in zone or in off-man coverage. They’ll need to match up with receivers or tight end, and need decent coverage technique to stay with their man. Having some ball skills to swat a ball away or jump around for an interception is also a major benefit.
Quickness
Quickness is vital to successful coverage, getting down to the line of scrimmage on screens or run plays, and reacting to ball carriers in the open field. Safeties that are stiff in the hips or have slow feet will often find themselves out of position and likely be low in our safety rankings.
Tackling
When you have a chance to make a tackle, you need to make the tackle. The top rated safety prospects will rarely miss open field tackles, have decent hit power, and display reasonably good technique in their tackling form.
Overall Opinion of the 2025 Safety Draft Class
This is an all around decent safety class. There’s a reasonable amount of talent at every stage of the draft, but it also doesn’t necessarily stand out as strong at any point.
Starks has at times been viewed as a blue chip prospect at the top, while the bulk of the class is comprised of well-rounded talents who can line up all over the field.
Regardless of the type of player you’re looking for, you can find it.
