2025 NFL Draft: Safety Prospect Rankings

This is the final article of a series in which I have gone over my rankings of draft prospects at every position. We end off with my top safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft. Many overlook safety and see it as an un-valuable position compared to many other roles on a football team, but safeties are a crucial aspect of a defense acting as the last line of defense in every situation. Safeties serve a demanding role needing a versatile skillset consisting of being reliable tackler, having game changing playmaking ability, and fluid coverage skills. Safeties can make or break a defense at the end of the day and should be valued as high as most other positions. So without further adieu let’s get into it.

1. Nick Emmanwori – South Carolina

Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’3″, 220 lbs
2024 Stats: 88 tackles, 3 TFLs, 4 INTs, 2 PDs
Projected Value: Round 1

Nick Emmanwori is one of the most athletically gifted safety prospects to enter the draft in recent memory. At 6’3″, 220 pounds, he possesses a rare combination of size, speed, and explosiveness that is evident on every snap. He covers ground with exceptional range, closes with urgency, and plays with noticeable physicality at the point of contact.

South Carolina frequently deployed Emmanwori in a variety of roles—deep zone, box safety, nickel alignment—and his versatility is a significant asset. He has the tools to function as a true positionless defender, capable of matching up with tight ends, flying downhill against the run, and impacting plays from sideline to sideline.

However, his technique remains a work in progress. His route recognition is inconsistent, and he tends to rely too heavily on athleticism rather than disciplined coverage fundamentals. In man situations, his transitions out of his backpedal can be labored, and he is sometimes late to recognize developing route concepts.

Despite these concerns, the ceiling is immense. With the right coaching and refinement, Emmanwori could evolve into a premier difference-maker in the secondary. His blend of raw traits and versatility makes him one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in this class.

2. Malaki Starks – Georgia

Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195 lbs
2024 Stats: 77 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 INT, 3 PDs
Projected Value: Round 1

Malaki Starks offers a high floor as one of the most technically sound and instinctive safeties in the class. A two-year starter for Georgia, Starks has excelled within one of college football’s most complex and disciplined defensive schemes. His play reflects this experience—he is consistent, reliable, and rarely out of position.

Starks is an excellent tackler in space, often arriving under control and finishing with sound form. He displays strong route anticipation in zone coverage and is quick to react to the quarterback’s intentions. While not overwhelmingly physical, he provides enough force to be effective in run support and is a dependable last line of defense.

Athletically, Starks lacks the elite burst or long speed of some of his peers. He may struggle against more dynamic and speedy threats at the next level. However, his processing speed and awareness often allow him to compensate.

Starks is the most pro ready safety in this class. His polish, football IQ, and adaptability will likely lead to him being a day 1 starter with a steady, productive NFL career.

3. Kevin Winston Jr. – Penn State

Age: 21 | Height/Weight: 6’2″, 215 lbs
2024 Stats: 13 tackles (3 games played)
Projected Value: Round 2

Kevin Winston Jr. enters the draft as one of the more difficult evaluations in the class. A promising junior with a standout 2023 campaign, Winston’s 2024 season was cut short after only three games due to a partial ACL tear. As such, much of his projection is based on past performance and medical recovery potential.

When healthy, Winston displays the kind of physical traits NFL teams covet. He brings a strong frame, excellent closing speed, and the flexibility to cover ground both vertically and laterally. His tackling is assertive yet controlled, and he brings an ideal temperament to the position—aggressive, but not reckless.

In coverage, Winston has shown flashes of excellence, particularly in deep thirds and intermediate zones. However, his transitions remain a bit rigid, especially when asked to turn and run with quicker receivers. With improved technique, he has the potential to handle more diverse coverage assignments.

Medical evaluations will be critical to determining his draft stock, but the upside is clear. Winston has the size, instincts, and athleticism to become a star in the NFL.

4. Andrew Mukuba – Texas

Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 5’11″, 185 lbs
2024 Stats: 69 tackles, 4 TFLs, 5 INTs, 7 PDs
Projected Value: Round 2

Andrew Mukuba stands out as one of the most technically proficient coverage safeties in the class. He possesses fluid hips, excellent footwork, and a natural understanding of leverage and positioning. Mukuba excels in both zone and man assignments and has been consistently productive when asked to cover in space.

His change-of-direction skills are impressive, and he plays with a level of anticipation that allows him to break on passes and create turnovers. Mukuba’s instincts and field awareness are advanced, making him a valuable piece for defensive coordinators seeking a cerebral, scheme-versatile defender.

However, there are limitations. At just 185 pounds, Mukuba lacks the size and length typically desired at the position. He can struggle to disengage from blocks and may not be suited for heavy box duties. Durability could also be a long-term concern given his frame and physical play style.

Despite the size concerns, Mukuba’s ability to consistently cover and create turnovers positions him as a high-value prospect for teams emphasizing coverage versatility in their safeties.

5. Xavier Watts – Notre Dame

Age: 23 | Height/Weight: 6’0″, 205 lbs
2024 Stats: 82 tackles, 4 TFLs, 6 INTs, 10 PDs
Projected Value: Round 2

Xavier Watts brings exceptional ball production and instinctive play to the position. Arguably the best turnover generator in the class, Watts recorded six interceptions and ten passes defended during the 2024 season, routinely showing the ability to read the quarterback and close on throws with precision.

He plays with a high motor and brings physicality as both a tackler and a coverage defender. Watts thrives in zone coverage, where his anticipation and vision allow him to undercut routes and make impactful plays. He is also willing and capable in run support, often showing solid form and determination when attacking downhill.

Watts, however, lacks elite athletic traits. His top-end speed and burst are average, and he may struggle to recover once beaten. He is also slightly undersized for the role he plays, and his range may be limited at the next level when asked to play deep in single-high alignments.

Nonetheless, Watts’ instincts, playmaking ability, and competitive edge make him a highly intriguing mid-round option with legitimate starting potential in the right system.

6. Craig Woodson – California

Age: 24 | Height/Weight: 6’0″, 200 lbs
2024 Stats: 70 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 INTs, 9 PDs
Value: Round 3

Craig is my sleeper prospect in this safety class. Woodson is a football junkie with high-end processing skills. He diagnoses plays quickly and closes with purpose. He’s smooth in space and covers ground well. He has a great frame with good athleticism with the ability to be a quality starter in the NFL. He keeps his head down and is a hard worker who I would trust to be a leader on the back of my secondary.

Where he falls short is in the physicality department. He doesn’t punish ball carriers, and he doesn’t utilize strength in coverage. Age is also a factor as he’s one of the older prospects in the class, which could cap long term upside.

Still, if you’re looking for a heady player who can fill multiple roles, Woodson is worth a long look.

7. Billy Bowman Jr. – Oklahoma

Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 5’10″, 190 lbs
2024 Stats: 54 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 INTs, 3 PDs
Value: Round 3–4

Bowman is a twitchy, explosive player with the versatility to line up all over the field. He’s a ball magnet with great burst and closing speed. His short-area quickness allows him to mirror receivers well in space.

But size is a major issue. He struggles to bring down bigger ball carriers, and he’s frequently targeted by offenses that want to exploit mismatches. His tackling technique can get sloppy, and missed tackles are an ongoing concern.

If used properly—especially in sub-packages—Bowman can thrive as a playmaker in the secondary.

8. Lathan Ransom – Ohio State

Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’0″, 205 lbs
2024 Stats: 76 tackles, 9 TFLs, 1 INT, 2 PDs
Value: Round 4

Ransom is a downhill thumper. He excels in run support and thrives when asked to patrol the box or lay the wood over the middle. He brings old-school physicality with just enough mobility to stay afloat in coverage.

His limitations come in the form of athleticism and technique. He struggles when asked to cover vertically and isn’t as refined in man as you’d like. His tackle form also needs work—too many shoulder-first lunges.

He may be scheme-specific, but for teams needing a tough, reliable strong safety, Ransom brings grit and experience.

9. Jonas Sanker – Virginia

Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’0″, 205 lbs
2024 Stats: 98 tackles, 9 TFLs, 1 INT, 4 PDs
Value: Round 4

One of the most active safeties in the country, Sanker is a production machine. He plays with his hair on fire—physical, urgent, and relentless. He’s a rock-solid tackler with a nose for the ball and brings special teams upside as an elite gunner.

But he can be inconsistent in deep coverage, sometimes getting caught out of position or overcommitting. Angles are hit-or-miss, and he doesn’t have the recovery speed to fix mistakes.

Still, his energy, versatility, and tackling will get him on the field early.

10. Jaylen Reed – Penn State

Age: 22 | Height/Weight: 6’0″, 210 lbs
2024 Stats: 98 tackles, 7 TFLs, 3 INTs, 3 PDs
Value: Round 4

Reed has some of the best instincts in the class. He’s always around the ball and delivers hits that make receivers think twice. He’s versatile and smooth in his transitions, offering legitimate starting potential.

However, he plays with his foot on the gas a little too often. His over-aggressiveness can cost him in man coverage and open-field tackles. He’s tight-hipped at times and doesn’t always recover well once beaten.

A high-upside depth piece early on with starter potential if refined.