NFL Draft 2024- Top 10 Safeties

As the NFL becomes more and more reliant on running backs that can both catch and hit the second level, and as tight ends continue to emerge as a greater part of any passing offense, a good pair of safeties is necessary to assist with covering all sorts of threats. No longer are teams just looking for safeties that are strong tacklers, but instead they want safeties with coverage skills and speed to make plays all over the field. 

Here is a look at the safeties selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Complete list of every safety pick from the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 2, Pick 45: Brian Branch, Alabama

Round 2, Pick 47: Quan Martin, Illinois

Round 3, Pick 66: Sydney Brown, Illinois

Round 3, Pick 87: Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State

Round 3, Pick 95: Jordan Battle, Alabama

Round 4, Pick 119: Chamarri Conner, Virginia Tech

Round 4, Pick 134: Jay Ward, LSU

Round 5, Pick 145: Jammie Robinson, Florida State

Round 5, Pick 146: Jordan Howard, Minnesota

Round 5, Pick 158: Daniel Scott, California

Round 5, Pick 160: Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M

Round 5, Pick 170: Christopher Smith, Georgia

Round 6, Pick 183: JL Skinner, Boise State

Round 6, Pick 198: Jerrick Reed II, New Mexico

Round 6, Pick 209: Tre Hawkins, Old Dominion

Round 7, Pick 224: DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama

Round 7, Pick 234: Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State

Round 7, Pick 242: Anthony Johnson, Jr., Iowa State

Round 7, Pick 248: Brandon Hill, Pittsburgh

Round 7, Pick 254: Gervarrius Owens, Houston

Round 7, Pick 258: Kendall Williamson, Stanford

For the second straight season, the draft will most likely not have a a safety drafted in the first round. The 2nd and 3rd rounds should start a healthy run of safeties coming off the board, likely starting with Minnesota's Tyler Rubin. 

Here is a look at Draft Nation's top 10 safeties in the 2024 NFL Draft:

1. Minnesota- S- Tyler Nubin (6’3” 210 lbs)

Strengths

• Physicality
• Willing tackler
• Playmaker
• Straight line speed

Weaknesses

• Back pedal
• Stiff hips
• Lateral speed
• Sells out for big hits

Nubin has size and the playmaking ability to be a game changer in the NFL. He is a first round talent, but the position has been devalued in the last few years that some team will likely find big upside with him early in round two.

Projection- 2nd round

 2. Georgia- S- Javon Bullard (5’11” 195 lbs)

Strengths

• Versatility
• Ball skills
• Hard hitter
• Sees the whole field

Weaknesses

• Tackling
• Strength
• Background
• Loose cushion

Javon Bullard’s best attribute is the way he sees the whole field and does not hesitate to make decisions. He has the football IQ to one day be a leader on defense and should play a long time in the league. His SEC experience and game day speed are coveted by many clubs. 

Projection- 2nd round or 3rd round

3. Utah- S- Cole Bishop (6’2” 207 lbs)

Strengths

• Run-stopping ability
• Instincts
• Coverage- TE’s
• Always around the ball

Weaknesses

• Tackling
• Athleticism
• Changing Direction
• Lean body

Cole Bishop has the ability to cover tight ends and slot receivers one-on-one. He has big play ability and the ball always seems to find him. He's one of the best run stoppers in the crop of safeties and if he can improve his tackling techniques, he will be a force at the next level. 

Projection- 2nd round or 3rd round

4. USC- S- Calen Bullock (6’3” 190 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Size
• Big play ability
• Changing direction

Weaknesses

• Angles
• Physicality
• Press coverage
• Bites on double moves

Calen Bullock has the skill level needed to be a productive safety in the NFL. His aggressiveness will get him in trouble at times and he needs to play a more structured game. That said, Bullock plays with a suddenness that will have him off the board before the end of day two. 

Projection- Round 3

5. Miami,Fla- S- Kamren Kinchens (6’0” 205 lbs)

Strengths

• Physicality
• Willing tackler
• Playmaker
• WR type hands

Weaknesses

• Angles
• Overly aggressive
• Play fakes

Kamren Kinchens might be the most physical of this crop of safeties, to the point of being overaggressive at times. He has big upside but needs to show that he can do a better job at reading play fakes.

Projection- Round 3 

6. Maryland- S- Beau Brade (6’1” 200 lbs)

Strengths

• Length
• Size
• Run-stopping ability
• Ball tracking
• Closing speed

Weaknesses

• Big play ability
• Zone coverage
• Shedding blocks
• Route recognition

Brade is one of the top run-stoppers in this safety class. He is not as flashy as the other prospects, but he's a steady tackler who will be well received in the NFL.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

7. Texas Tech- S- Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (5’11” 195 lbs)

Strengths

• Speed
• Athleticism
• Zone coverage
• Ball tracking

Weaknesses

• Length
• Deep coverage
• Route recognition

Taylor-Demerson has elite athleticism, speed and great ball skills but is inconsistent in his overall play. His size creates question marks, but his upside will get him selected in the mid-rounds.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

8- Washington State- S- Jaden Hicks (6’3” 212 lbs)

Strengths

• Run-stopping ability
• Downhill play
• Hustle
• Locates ball

Weaknesses

• Sells out on fakes
• Zone coverage
• Route recognition
• Too much cushion

Jaden Hicks is riser on a lot of draft boards and Draft Nation would not be surprised to see him possibly get selected at the end of day two. He is a fierce run stopper but struggles at times in coverage and route recognition. He's a nice mid-round pick with some upside.

Projection- 4th round or 5th round

9- Georgia- S- Tykee Smith (5’10” 205 lbs)

Strengths

• Speed 
• Hands
• Ball tracking
• Coverage Versatility

Weaknesses

• Tackling
• Length
• Size
• Physicality

Smith’s versatility in coverage will be valuable to NFL teams. He is able to track the ball well which helps him to cause turnovers. He is a possible end of day two pick, but Draft Nation thinks he will be a nice mid-round pick with some upside.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

10. Auburn- S- Jaylin Simpson (6’1” 178 lbs)

Strengths

• Versatility
• Instincts
• Quarterback reads
• Hard hitter

Weaknesses

• Size
• Aggressiveness
• Back pedal
• Penalties

Jaylin Simpson needs to add some weight and strength to his frame. He has all the tools to be an effective safety at the next level and has some room to grow in the right system. 

Projection- 5th round