WalterFootball.com - Detailed NFL Mock Drafts, Player Prospect Rankings, and One of the Largest Mock Draft Databases on the Web

2009 NFL Draft: Safety Rankings

The top 2009 safety prospects available for the 2009 NFL Draft. * - denotes 2010 prospect.

This page was last updated May 19, 2008.

2009 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2010 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Taylor Mays*, SS/FS, USC
Height: 6-4. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2009): Top 15 Pick.
5/19/09: Taylor Mays' size and speed combination is sick, and what could ultimately allow him to be the first safety taken in April 2009.

2007: A 6-4, 225-pound safety who runs a 4.3? Pretty sick. As a freshman, Taylor Mays started 12 games, recorded 62 tackles and picked off three passes.
Myron Rolle*, SS, Florida State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Projected Round (2009): Top 20 Pick.
5/19/09: Myron Rolle's triangle numbers pale in comparison to Taylor Mays', but a 4.4 from a 6-2, 218-pound safety ain't too shabby. Rolle has 23 consecutive starts entering the 2008 campaign.

2007: A player with no weaknesses in his game, Myron Rolle started the final 10 games of his freshman year, finishing third on the team with 77 tackles.
William Moore, FS/SS, Missouri
Height: 6-1. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2009): Top 20 Pick.
5/19/09: Looks to be a good fit at either safety position at the next level. William Moore had an incredible 2007 campaign, notching seven picks and qualifying as a second-team All-American.

2007: An interception machine and the leader of Missouri's defense. Voted as a Second-Team All-American.
Kam Chancellor*, SS, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-4. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2009): 1-2.
2007: An extremely athletic safety - seems like this draft class is laden with guys like that.
Derek Pegues, FS, Mississippi State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 196.
Projected 40 Time: 4.43.
Projected Round (2009): 2.
5/19/09: Doubling as a return man, Derek Pegues managed 50 tackles and five interceptions in 2007.

2007: Derek Pegues is a lightning-quick jack of all trades; he can play cornerback, free safety and kick returner. He started every game as a sophomore and picked off four passes.
Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon
Height: 6-0. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Projected Round (2009): 2.
2007: A tough tackler with speed and versatility, Patrick Chung has decided to stay for his senior season after declaring for the 2008 NFL Draft.

Chung just doesn't miss football games; going into the Arizona State contest, he's making his 34th straight start. He had four picks and two sacks as a sophomore.
Nic Harris, SS, Oklahoma
Height: 6-3. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2009): 2.
5/19/09: Nic Harris had 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. His 40 time will hurt him if he runs in the mid-4.6s.

2007: Nic Harris, a key component of Oklahoma's secondary, is exceptional at locking down against the run. He started eight games as a sophomore, registering three sacks and four picks.
Michael Hamlin, SS, Clemson
Height: 6-3. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
5/19/09: A four-year starter for Clemson, Michael Hamlin has 12 turnovers in his career thus far.

2007: Hampered by an ankle injury throughout the 2006 season, Michael Hamlin still managed to make 65 tackles and two interceptions.
Courtney Greene, SS/FS, Rutgers
Height: 6-1. Weight: 209.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
5/19/09: Courtney Greene, who can play either safety position, had 91 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

2007: Led all freshmen in tackles a few years ago. Registered three interceptions in 2006. Definitely a big reason for Rutgers' resurgence.
Kevin Ellison, SS, USC
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2009): 3.
5/19/09: Despite having knee surgery prior to the 2007 season, Kevin Ellison played in every game and recorded 54 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two picks.

2007: Kevin Ellison started every game as a sophomore for USC, notching 64 tackles and a pick.
Emmanuel Cook*, SS, South Carolina
Height: 5-10. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Projected Round (2009): 3.
5/19/09: Emmanuel Cook's height may hurt his draft stock, but his dynamic play makes up for it. Despite missing two contests in 2007, Cook recorded 92 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks.
Curtis Taylor, FS, LSU
Height: 6-3. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
5/19/09: As a substitute for LaRon Landry, Curtis Taylor cllected 49 tackles, two interceptions and a sack. I'd like to see him drop his 40.
C.J. Spillman, FS, Marshall
Height: 6-0. Weight: 194.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
5/19/09: C.J. Spillman finished his 2007 campaign with 131 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

2007: One of the leaders on a miserable 2007 Marshall squad.
Chris Clemons, SS, Clemson
Height: 6-1. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2009): 4.
2007: "Clemson's Chris Clemons." Try saying that 10 times in a row. One of the top tacklers in the ACC, Chris Clemons had an outstanding sophomore campaign in 2006, registering 102 tackles, good for second most on the team.
Chip Vaughn, SS, Wake Forest
Height: 6-2. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2009): 4.
5/19/09: In his first full season as a starter, Chip Vaughn finished with 100 tackles and an amazing 14 pass breakups.

2007: Blocked a field goal against Florida State last year, arguably the most important play of the year. This season is his first as a full-time starter.
Rashad Johnson, FS, Alabama
Height: 6-0. Weight: 189.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
5/19/09: A member of the first team All-SEC, Rashad Johnson had 94 tackles 5.5 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups.

2007: Made his first start against Hawaii last year and hasn't looked back. Rashad Johnson has become an important part of Alabama's secondary. He can help in the return game at the next level.
Lendy Holmes, FS, Oklahoma
Height: 6-1. Weight: 196.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Projected Round (2009): 5.
5/17/08: Lendy Holmes missed the Fiesta Bowl because he was academically ineligible.

2007: You have to love a tall corner with mid-4.4 speed, but Lendy Holmes was responsible for two long Tulsa touchdowns in September 2007.
Otis Wiley, SS, Michigan State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2009): 5.
2007: Otis Wiley was benched in the Northwestern game.

Wiley registered an interception and made a few key plays against Pittsburgh. He always seemed to be at the right place at the right time.

Led all Spartans with 94 tackles in 2006. Broke up 10 passes but couldn't manage to secure an interception.
Trimane Goddard, FS, North Carolina
Height: 6-0. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
2007: Became a starter the second half of his sophomore year, in which he picked off three passes. He red-shirted the following year in the wake of a broken foot.
Troy Nolan, SS/FS, Arizona State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 204.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
5/19/09: Troy Nolan finished the 2007 season with six picks. He also had 64 tackles and seven pass breakups. He's best at strong safety, but can play either safety position.

2007: I'd like to see Troy Nolan either add more mass or drop his 40. He has five picks going into the Oregon game.
David Bruton, FS, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2. Weight: 206.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
5/19/09: A team captain going into the 2008 season, David Bruton recorded 85 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions.
Randy Phillips, FS, Miami
Height: 6-0. Weight: 202.
Projected Projected 40 Time: 4.51.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
2007: Though he was in the starting lineup eight times as a sophomore, Randy Phillips lost his job after getting burnt to a crisp against Oklahoma.
Reshard Langford, SS, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-2. Weight: 209.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2009): 6.
2007: Reshard Langford, who started as a freshman in Vanderbilt, probably needs to drop his 40 time a bit. He had six picks going into the 2007 season.
Nate Ness, FS, Arizona
Height: 6-1. Weight: 191.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2009): 6.
5/19/09: An interception machine - Nate Ness had 19 interceptions, 10 of which were returned for touchdowns in junior college. He picked off five passes in his first six games with Arizona.

2007: Nate Ness, a safety who has three interceptions through nine weeks in 2007, returned 10 interceptions for touchdowns in junior college. He needs to drop into the 4.4s to be considered a first-day selection.
Lovon Ponder, SS, Miami
Height: 6-0. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2009): 6.
5/19/09: Lovon Ponder missed some time in 2007 with leg injuries.

2007: Miami's "other" safety. Lovon Ponder made his way into the lineup in 2006 despite the presence of Kenny Phillips and Brandon Meriweather.
Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan
Height: 5-11. Weight: 196.
Projected 40 Time: 4.51.
Projected Round (2009): 6.
5/19/09: Louis Delmas is a bit small, but he's a good hitter who had 64 tackles in 2007. He has eight career picks.

2007: Was a starter from Day 1 with Western Michigan. A fierce hitter who has a knack for making interceptions.
Darcel McBath, FS, Texas Tech
Height: 6-1. Weight: 198.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2009): 6.
5/19/09: As a senior, Darcel McBath is entering his third season as a starter. He's recorded 148 tackles, five picks and 11 pass break-ups in his sophomore and junior campaigns. An honorable mention on the All-Big XII team.
Dre'Mail Hardin, FS, Stillman
Height: 6-1. Weight: 196.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
Terence Moore, SS, Troy State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 216.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
5/19/09: A first-year starter in 2007, Terence Moore had 63 tackles and four pass break-ups.
Will Dunbar, FS, UAB
Height: 6-1. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
5/19/09: Will Dunbar, one of the few solid players on a miserable 2-10 team, managed a mind-boggling 122 tackles in 2007.
Keith Fitzhugh, SS/FS, Mississippi State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
5/19/09: Started just four games as a junior, but managed 58 tackles, two picks and three pass break-ups.
Josh Pinkard, FS, USC
Height: 6-1. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Projected Round (2009): 6-FA.
5/19/09: I'd like to see Josh Pinkard catch a break. He's missed most of the past two seasons. He's a dynamic talent but just can't get on the field.

2007: Josh Pinkard is out for the year with a torn ACL. He may get a medical redshirt.

Pinkard was arrested in May on DUI charges. He wasn't convicted yet, but the news will likely bring down his draft stock.

Had season-ending knee surgery in September, so it remains to be seen if Josh Pinkard can still run that 4.44. If he can, he's the top-rated free safety eligible for the 2008 Draft. Can also play corner.
Anthony Reddick, FS, Miami
Height: 6-0. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2009): 6-FA.
2007: What a shame: Tore his ACL and will miss the 2007 season. This is the second time in his collegiate career that Anthony Reddick will be out for an entire campaign (2005).
Marcus McClinton, FS, Kentucky
Height: 6-1. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.51.
Projected Round (2009): 7.
5/19/09: Missed a bunch of time in 2007 with multiple injuries. Marcus McClinton has yet to blowed anyone up, as far as I know.

2007: Calling Marcus McClinton explosive is an understatement; last summer, McClinton was charged with making explosives from household products. But look on the bright side - if he can't play safety in the NFL, you can always hire him to blow the opposing quarterback up. And that way, Emmitt can say, "That quarterback got blowed up!"
Al Afalava, SS, Oregon State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2009): 7.
5/19/09: Alfalfa? What were his parents thinking? More importantly, what was Alfalfa thinking when he was arrested for a DUI in February?
Jamarca Sanford, SS, Ole Miss
Height: 5-10. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2009): 7.
5/19/09: Jamarca Sanford should be able to catch on as a solid special teams player in the NFL.
Brian Raines, SS, Rice
Height: 6-1. Weight: 219.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2009): 7.
5/19/09: Almost the 2008 version of Wesley Woodyard. Brian Raines will have to play safety in the NFL unless he bulks up and maintains his 40. He currently plays linebacker at Rice.

2007: A tackling machine, Brian Raines has a solid 40 considering his size.
Sherrod Martin, FS, Troy State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 188.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
5/19/09: Despite missing a third of the season with shoulder injuries, Sherrod Martin recorded 52 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Jason Venson, FS, Central Florida
Height: 5-10. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
5/19/09: Jason Venson finished with 81 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and two picks.

2007: A solid collegiate player who may not transition well to the NFL. Jason Venson started 16 games in his first two seasons at Central Florida. He led his team with 10 tackles in a near upset over Texas.
Tony Davis, FS, Penn State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 197.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
Tony Davis is a quick defensive back who can play either cornerback or safety. Unfortunately, he is out for the 2007 season with appendicitis.
Jamario O'Neal, FS, Ohio State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
5/19/09: Jamario O'Neal's triangle numbers are great, but he's had trouble cracking the starting lineup. A great 40 might catch someone's attention, and he may catch on as a reliable special-teamer.

2007: In and out of the starting lineup. Jamario O'Neal took over as the starter as a sophomore, but lost his job last summer.
C.J. Byrd, FS, Georgia
Height: 6-2. Weight: 193.
Projected 40 Time: 4.51.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
5/19/09: C.J. Byrd finished with 43 tackles and a pick in 2007.

2007: Enjoying his first year as a full-time starter for Georgia, C.J. Byrd needs to become more of a playmaker to warrant attention from GMs and scouts.
D.J. Dykes, SS, Colorado
Height: 6-2. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
Really needs to improve his 40 to warrant draft consideration.
Mesphin Forrester, SS, Washington -
Height: 6-2. Weight: 205. Projected 40 Time: 4.54. Projected Round (2009): FA.
Mike Pagnotta, SS, Colorado State -
Height: 6-0. Weight: 205. Projected 40 Time: 4.58. Projected Round (2009): FA.
Sha'reff Rashad, FS, Central Florida -
Height: 6-0. Weight: 198. Projected 40 Time: 4.52. Projected Round (2009): FA.
Charles Stewart, FS, Michigan -
Height: 6-1. Weight: 203. Projected 40 Time: 4.49. Projected Round (2009): FA.
Nick Patterson, FS, Ohio State -
Height: 6-2. Weight: 212. Projected 40 Time: 4.55. Projected Round (2009): FA.
Stephen Hodge, SS, TCU -
Height: 6-0. Weight: 212. Projected 40 Time: 4.55. Projected Round (2009): FA.

2009 NFL Mock Draft

2008 NFL Mock Draft

2008 Safety Rankings