SAFETY
TOP 5 QB VIDEO
1
Bryce Young
2
CJ Stroud
3
Hendon Hooker
4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5
Jaren Hall
1
Malaki Starks
SAF | GEORGIA | 6’1 | 205
Strengths: Starks is a well-rounded safety with both a high floor and high ceiling. He has a long frame with room to add mass and plays with exceptional intelligence—able to diagnose plays, communicate calls, and shed blocks to make stops in the backfield. His coverage ability is a major strength, as he can run with wide receivers and match up perfectly against tight ends. Weaknesses: He could benefit from adding more bulk, and while he has good speed, his short-area agility and quickness aren’t elite. Bottom Line: In the right system, Starks has all the traits to develop into one of the NFL’s top safeties.
Grade: Round 1
N/A
2
Nick Emmanwori
SAF | SOUTH CAR. | 6’3 | 227
Strengths: Emmanwori has elite size for the position—long, thick, and athletic with a rare build. He’s a physical presence and a reliable tackler when in position. His ball skills flash on tape, supported by 4 INTs this season, and his athletic profile is top-tier. Weaknesses: Despite his athleticism, he’s a bit choppy in his movements and not as fluid as you'd like. He can also be a step slow in diagnosing plays. Bottom Line: Emmanwori’s size and raw tools give him unique upside, making him a potential difference-maker in the right scheme.
Grade: Round 2
N/A
3
Xavier Watts
SAF | NOTRE DAME | 6’0 | 203
Strengths: Watts is a well-rounded safety with a bright future. He has excellent ball skills, racking up 13 interceptions over the last two seasons. He’s reactive, instinctual, and plays with a high motor, consistently taking smart angles and showing strong football IQ. Weaknesses: There’s little to knock, but he is a bit older and could benefit from adding some mass. His athletic profile is solid but not elite. Bottom Line: Watts’s combination of experience, instincts, and consistent effort gives him all the tools to become a very good NFL player.
Grade: Round 2
N/A
4
Kevin Winston Jr.
SAF | PENN ST. | 6’2 | 205
Strengths: Winston Jr. is a long, rangy safety with a strong blend of agility, quickness, and long speed. He has sharp vision and a decisive trigger, allowing him to make downhill tackles with confidence. His range and recovery speed give him true centerfield potential while also being able to contribute in the box. Weaknesses: He’ll need to add some mass at the next level and work on maintaining a more consistent pad level. Bottom Line: Winston Jr. has the physical tools, instincts, and IQ to develop into a very solid all-around safety in the NFL.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
5
Andrew Mukuba
SAF | TEXAS | 6’0 | 190
Strengths: Mukuba is a long, rangy defender with a quick trigger and strong instincts. He plays fast and decisive, showcasing impressive ball skills with 5 INTs in 2024. He thrives in a centerfield role, where his playmaking ability can shine. Weaknesses: He’s a smaller prospect with more of a cornerback build and doesn’t offer much physicality in the box. Bottom Line: Scheme fit will be key, but Mukuba’s instincts, range, and ball-hawking ability give him the tools to carve out a valuable role in the NFL.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
6
Billy Bowman
SAF | OKLAHOMA | 5’10 | 200
Strengths: Bowman is a natural playmaker with strong instincts and a quick trigger. He’s aggressive in run support, quickly closing on ball carriers, and his 11 INTs over three seasons highlight his impressive ball skills and nose for the football. Weaknesses: His size and length are limiting factors—he has more of a cornerback build and can struggle when taking on blocks. Adding mass will be important for his transition to the next level. Bottom Line: Bowman’s instincts and playmaking ability give him a strong shot to carve out a role in the NFL, especially in a system that maximizes his range and quickness.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
7
Lathan Ransom
SAF | OHIO STATE | 6’1 | 210
Strengths: Ransom is an experienced and reliable defender who plays with discipline in coverage and patience in the run game. He brings a physical edge, consistently seeking out contact. Ransom has strong spatial awareness and a high motor. Weaknesses: He’s not a standout athlete—Ransom is a bit heavy-footed and can struggle with quick changes of direction. Bottom Line: Ransom’s experience, toughness, and effort will make him a dependable piece in the right system.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
8
Jonas Sanker
SAF | VIRGINIA | 6’1 | 210
Strengths: Sanker is a big, long, and athletic safety with strong production as a tackler. He’s active in the run game, unafraid to get physical, and brings explosive downhill tackling ability. His athletic profile and frame give him clear developmental upside, particularly as a box safety. Weaknesses: He’s still raw in coverage, sometimes struggling in man situations and when forced to move off his spot. His open-field tackling angles can be inconsistent and need refinement. Bottom Line: Sanker has the physical tools and demeanor to grow into a quality box safety with the right coaching and system fit.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
9
Malachi Moore
SAF | ALABAMA | 6’0 | 201
Strengths: Moore is an experienced and versatile defender with strong open-field tackling ability. He has good vision to track the ball and consistently wraps up, showing reliability in space. He’s also shown flashes of playmaking ability in coverage. Weaknesses: He’s an older prospect with a slight frame, some injury history, and lacks top-end speed. Bottom Line: Moore’s experience, technique, and versatility give him the tools to be a dependable rotational piece in the NFL.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
10
Sebastian Castro
SAF | IOWA | 5’11 | 205
Strengths: Castro is a tenacious, high-effort defender who thrives on physicality. He’s fearless in traffic, plays with solid footwork and short-area quickness, and uses his hands well in coverage. Despite his size, he consistently plays with toughness and grit. Weaknesses: He’s an older prospect and can get overly aggressive in his coverage reads, occasionally biting too early. He’ll also need to improve his consistency as a tackler. Bottom Line: In the right scheme, Castro’s energy, toughness, and instincts could help him carve out a niche role.
Grade: Round 6
N/A
11
Jaylen Reed
SAF | PENN ST. | 6’0 | 209
Strengths: Reed is a versatile safety who can line up all over the field. He plays with strong instincts and spatial awareness, doing a good job reading the quarterback’s eyes and reacting quickly. He’s a productive tackler and shows encouraging flashes in run support. Weaknesses: He needs to improve his functional strength, as he can get overwhelmed by bigger blockers. His long speed is a concern, and he remains a work in progress in coverage. Bottom Line: Reed’s instincts and versatility give him the tools to develop into a dependable rotational safety in the NFL.
Grade: Round 6
N/A
12
Dante Trader Jr.
SAF | MARYLAND | 5’11 | 202
Strengths: Trader Jr. is a long, versatile defender with strong vision and awareness. He excels in the run game, showing an impressive trigger to diagnose plays and react quickly. His physicality and instincts stand out, particularly near the line of scrimmage. Weaknesses: He has a slight build, which may limit his ability to sustain his physical play style in the NFL. His downfield speed is average for his frame, and he can appear vulnerable in man coverage. Bottom Line: Trader Jr. projects as a depth piece best suited for zone coverage and box safety responsibilities.