2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Safety

2/5/24: In 2024, Emmanwori had 83 tackles, two passes broken up, and four interceptions, with two returned for a touchdown. He had an interception returned for a touchdown against Kentucky, another returned for a score against Oklahoma, and had a 102-yard touchdown pick-six that had the return whipped out on a suspect penalty versus LSU. Emmanwori has an excellent skill set with impressive coverage skills for a big safety. He is fast, physical, and instinctive.

Emmanwori is a huge safety with rare coverage ability for a player that big. He has been a steady contributor for the Gamecocks the past two seasons. In 2023, he had 71 tackles, 10 passes broken up, and two interceptions in 11 games. The previous season, he totaled 85 tackles as a freshman. Emmanwori is a freak athlete with instincts and speed and can flash some physicality.

2/5/24: Starks had 73 tackles, three passes defended, and an interception. Starks had an incredible interception against Clemson, and a mixed outing against Auburn among others. He is a safe pick to be a dependable coverage safety in the NFL.

6/19/24: Georgia has had a loaded defensive backfield, so it shows how talented Starks is that he won a starting spot as a freshman. In 2022, he recorded 69 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes broken up. In 2023, Starks collected 52 tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defended. He was rock-steady for the Bulldogs and looks ready for the NFL.

2/5/24: Watts had 83 tackles with six interceptions, nine passes broken up, and a forced fumble. Watts around the ball and produced a lot of splash plays for the Irish.

6/19/24: In 2023 Watts was a dangerous ball hawk for the Fighting Irish. He recorded seven interceptions with four passes defended while totaling 52 tackles. It was a huge jump over his play in 2022 when he had 39 tackles and zero interceptions. Watts could be a riser if he stays consistent to his 2023 production.

2/5/24: Trader had 59 tackles with an interception and four passes broken up.

6/19/24: Trader has been a solid defender that last two seasons for Maryland. In 2023 he had 53 tackles with two interceptions and eight passes broken up. The previous season he had 62 tackles with two picks and six passes defended. Trader is undersized for the NFL and could stand to add some weight to tackle.

2/5/24: Mukuba has 55 tackles, four interceptions, and six passes broken up. He was superb in Texas’ huge road win over Michigan.

6/19/24: In 2023, Mukuba had 42 tackles and six passes defended. He transferred from Clemson to Texas after the season. Mukuba flashed ability in 2022 and 2021. He could be a riser if he builds on his performance and becomes more of a playmaker. As a sophomore, he had 53 tackles with an interception and three passes defended. In his freshman campaign, he totaled 47 tackles and six breakups.

2/5/24: Bowman had 55 tackles, two interceptions, and three passes broken up. Team sources say that Bowman is a gamer with a knack for making big plays, but he has some blown assignments and will bite on some play fakes. They say that Bowman is not real explosive and undersized. They see Bowman as more of a mid-round prospect.

6/19/24: Bowman is not a big safety, but he makes up for it with impressive instincts and ball skils. In 2023 Bowman recorded six interceptions with four passes defended and 63 tackles. In 2022 he had 61 tackles with three interceptions and five passes broken up. Depending on how he does in coverage as a senior, Bowman could fit in the NFL as a hybrid safety and nickel corner.

2/5/24: Wohler had 71 tackles with six passes broken up in 2024. He had a quality week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

6/19/24: Wohler was a tackling machine for the Badgers in 2023 racking up 120 stops on the season. He also had two interceptions and six passes broken up. Wohler is a good run defender, and if he can improve in pass coverage, he could be a riser in 2024.

2/5/24: Sanker was a solid defender for the Cavaliers in 2024, totaling 98 tackles with two sacks, one interception, and four passes broken up. He had 107 tackles with three forced fumbles and 11 breakups in 2023. Sanker has the size to be a strong safety candidate for the NFL.

2/5/24: Ransom had 76 tackles with three forced fumbles, one interception, and two passes broken up. He was a solid player for the Buckeyes.

6/19/24:: In 2023, Ransom totaled 34 tackles, an interception and two passes defended. He missed the final month of the season with an injury. Ransom racked up 74 tackles, an interception, 1.5 sacks, and three pass breakups in 2022. He dealt with injuries but continued to play solid football for Ohio State. Ransom benefited from moving to safety from cornerback for 2022. Ransom worked his way onto the field as a freshman in 2021 and earned more playing time as the year progressed. He totaled 38 tackles, a forced fumble and five passes defended that season. Ransom has excellent size and some natural cover skills.

2/5/24: Simmons had 72 tackles with four passes broken up, an interception, and three forced fumbles. He had some clutch plays for Arizona State and could be a nice mid-round value pick.

6/19/24: Simmons was consistently around the ball for the Sun Devils during the 2023 season. He recorded 73 tackles with one sack, one interception, and six passes broken up. In 2022, Simmons had a solid season as well, with 56 tackles, three interceptions, and four passes broken up.

2/5/24: Moore had 70 tackles, two interceptions, and eight passes broken up. He has shown improvement over past seasons and Moore was playing very physical football to close out the season.

6/19/24: As a freshman in 2020, Moore looked like he would be a star when he had three interceptions, six passes defended, and 44 tackles. However, since then, he has not been as prolific. Moore dealt with injuries in 2021; in 2022, he was a backup to Brian Branch. Moore was back on the field in 2023 and totaled 36 tackles, an interception and three passes defended.

Moore is a quality athlete with instincts. However, he struggles to stay with receivers in man coverage and lacks a burst out of his breaks and in transition. Moore also lacks some power and does not play strong. Moore needs to develop his strength and be more productive in 2024.

2/5/24: Sanders plays under the shadow of his star quarterback brother Shedeur and fellow defensive back Travis Hunter, but Shiloh Sanders is a pro prospect in his own right. In 2024, Sanders had 67 tackles with two pass broken up, one forced fumble and one sack. In 2023, Sanders had 67 tackles with four forced fumbles, one interception, and three passes broken up. Sanders has some limitations for the next level.

2/5/24: Ransaw had 31 tackles with one sack and two passes broken up in 2024. The previous season he had 50 stops, one interception, and one pass broken up. Ransaw played well enough for the Green Wave to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

2/5/24: Hook played well for Toledo in 2024 with 108 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up. He had 69 tackles with three interceptions and four passes broken up in 2023. Hook earned a Senior Bowl invite. He could stand to get stronger for the NFL.

2/5/24: Smith has 62 tackles, four interceptions, five passes broken up, and a forced fumble.

6/19/24: Smith played well enough in 2023 to make it on the watch list for NFL area scouts. He totaled 49 tackles with two interceptions and 10 passes defended. Smith needs to play well, and it would help him to stand out at an All-Star game.

2/5/24: Lane was a tough defender for the Midshipmen in 2024 totaling 70 tackles with three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up. Lane is undersized for the NFL.

2/5/24: In 2024, Castro was a tough safety for the Hawkeyes recording 56 tackles with an interception and two forced fumbles. The previous season he had 67 tackles with three interceptions and eight passes broken up. Castro is undersized and has some limitations. He could be a backup and special teams contributor.

2/5/24: In 2024,

2/5/24: In 2024, Jackson had 64 tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble, and three passes defended while manning strong safety for the Bulldogs. He is a solid run defender that could compete to be a backup, special teams contributor, and potentially grow from that role.

2/5/24: Rucker was a solid run defender for the Cowboys as a senior and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Rucker had 84 tackles with two interceptions and one pass broken up. He could compete to be a backup strong safety and special teams contributor to start out his career.

2/5/24: In 2024, Jackson had 98 tackles with 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, and six passes broken up. Jackson has good size and some upside to develop for the NFL. He earned an invitaiton to the Senior Bowl and could be a nice developmental project.

2/5/24: Allen has 36 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up.

6/19/24: Allen was a quality defender for the Tar Heels on the back end in the 2023 season. He amassed 49 tackles with an interception and eight passes broken up. For the NFL, Allen needs to add weight and fill out his frame.