Safety has long been an undervalued position in the NFL. Rarely do they get taken in the first round. But that may change in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The class offers exciting talents worthy of first-round selections while also providing depth throughout the draft.
2025 NFL Draft Safety Rankings
10) R.J. Mickens, Clemson
R.J. Mickens is a versatile defensive back who can play in the box and cover from the slot. The Clemson Tigers’ safety uses his intelligence and movement skills to close down the ball and is able to anticipate presnap to force his way to the ball promptly.
At 6’0” and 199 pounds, Mickens has a quick downhill trigger and sideline-to-sideline range to close in on runners. His footwork and overall technique allow him to impact the game from deep. Meanwhile, his physicality,
9) Jonas Sanker, Virginia
Jonas Sanker is at his best when attacking the box, where his instincts and anticipation allow him to sniff out the football. He locks up as a tackler with inescapable force, and his bruising physicality drives him to get after runners toward the line of scrimmage.
The 6’0”, 206-pound prospect is also combative in coverage. His leg drive and hip fluidity allow him to track craft wide receivers and running backs out of the backfield from deep, where his acceleration goes through the gears to attack the ball in zone.
8) Sebastian Castro, Iowa
Sebastian Castro is a hard-nosed, physically imposing secondary player who plays with intense violence and crude strength. The Iowa Hawkeyes’ defensive back plays with mature awareness and intelligence, and he can support the run with his aggressive demeanor and hand usage.
At 5’11” and 203 pounds, Castro figures to play around the box, where his intense mindset tracks down runners. His tackle technique is exceptional, and he takes good angles when attacking rushers. Meanwhile, Castro can also compete from the slot, although he lacks the twitchy athleticism needed to mirror certain matchups.
7) Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Billy Bowman Jr. is a natural deep safety who brings reactive athleticism and exceptional ball skills. The Oklahoma Sooners’ defensive back has strong instinct and awareness to visualize the ball in coverage. His movement to the ball is smooth and fluid. Meanwhile, his hands are skilled and strong enough to attack the ball in the air.
However, as the last line of defense, Bowman’s tackling technique is questionable, and his short 5’10”, 192-pound frame means he struggles to match up against tight ends from the slot.
6) Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
At 6’0” and 206 pounds, Lathan Ransom is physically imposing and uses his frame to create leverage. The Ohio State Buckeyes’ defender has adequate speed to get after the ball in coverage, where he relies on his strong awareness to anticipate routes.
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Ransom is a powerful runner who is highly competitive through the tackle. Meanwhile, his hot motor means he puts his body on the line when deep. In the box, the Buckeye has the size and physicality to take on blocks and the instant change of direction to work through traffic to seek out rushers.
5) Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Andrew Makuba is an incredibly instinctual safety who uses his intelligence and athleticism to impact the game from deep. His pass game defense showcases exceptional burst and range to quickly drive to the ball, where he then possesses the refined ball skills to effect the catch point.
Despite his skinny build (5’11” and 186 pounds), Mukuba is adequate in run support. He gets out of his stance quickly and has the elusive movement to make blockers miss. However, it is in coverage that the Texas Longhorn comes alive. He is a playmaking threat in zone, as showcased by his five interceptions in 2024.
4) Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
Despite a season-ending injury, Kevin Winston Jr. is still one of the top overall safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft and can do it all. It was later revealed that the Penn State Nittany Lions defender had a partial ACL tear that required surgery.
While the injury is concerning, Winston’s incredible ball skills are hard to ignore. His incredible instincts allow him to read offenses quickly, and he has the athleticism and anticipation to attack the ball from deep. When lined up at the line of scrimmage, Winston has the physicality and body control to follow receivers. Meanwhile, at 6’1” and 215 pounds, the Nittany Lion is a secure tackler.
3) Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Ball skills and more ball skills. Xavier Watts is a true ball hawk. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s safety has had 13 interceptions in the last two seasons and is an expert in taking the ball away.
The 6’0”, 204-pound safety is patient in his movement but has the explosive athleticism to pounce on balls in coverage. He inherently positions himself to impact the ball from deep, and his elite production showcases his natural understanding in the passing game.
Meanwhile, Watts is also a strong box defender. He intelligently reads presnap to attack rushers, where his initial burst allows him to breeze past traffic.
2) Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Nick Emmanwori is an all-time athlete. The South Carolina Gamecock lit up the 2025 NFL Combine and has a perfect 10.00 RAS. His athletic testing numbers all rank above the 94th percentile, all while being a massive 6’3” and 220 pounds. His hulking frame and natural speed allow him to be a versatile defender and, therefore, project him as a first-round player.
The Gamecocks’ safety is a strong box defender whose elite burst fires him toward the ball carrier. Meanwhile, his physicality and dominant size allow him to negate mismatches from the slot in coverage.
1) Malaki Starks, Georgia
Maki Starks is an elite safety prospect. It takes a lot for safeties to carry first-round grades in the modern NFL era, but the Georgia Bulldog passes with flying colors. His smooth athleticism, combined with his natural anticipation and intelligence, means he can affect every down.
KEEP READING: Most NFL Draft Picks by School
Starks has a quick downhill trigger as a run defender and the flexibility and fluid movement to bend through gaps. At 6’1” and 197 pounds, he has the top-tier athletic ability to turn direction and anticipate route breaks sharply. Furthermore, Starks’ ball skills are some of the best in this class, and he has control in the air to contort his frame and secure the ball.
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