2027 NFL Draft Prospects: Safety

6/24/26: McDonald had a strong 2025 season for the Longhorns, showing an ability to make plays as a run defender and in pass coverage. He totaled 80 tackles with three interceptions and three passes defended. McDonald has good size and is fast. He is a dynamic free safety to defend the deep part of the field.

6/24/26: In 2025, Bolden had 76 tackles with two interceptions and five passes broken up. In a talented secondary, Bolden was able to earn playing time as a freshman and had an excellent debut next to Malaki Starks. Bolden totaled 59 tackles with one interception, one pass broken up, one sack, and one forced fumble. After gaining some experience, Bolden could be even better. He could stand to add some weight to his frame for tackling in the NFL.

6/24/26: Johnson had a breakout season in 2025 for the Fighting Irish. Johnson was a playmaker showing dynamic ball skills and instincts. He totaled 48 tackles with four interceptions and three passes defended. Johnson was just scratching the surface, and he could become a dynamic safety prospect.

6/24/26: In 2025, Benefield was a productive defender for Boise State, totaling 105 tackles with three passes broken up, a forced fumble, and two interceptions. He had a solid season in 2024 with 82 tackles, three breakups, and two interceptions. Benefield transferred to LSU for the 2026 season, and it will be interesting to see how the strong safety adjusts to the SEC.

6/24/26: As a sophomore, McClain had 53 tackles with three passes broken up in 2025. He has the potential to do more for the Buckeyes in 2026. McClain was a backup and special teams contributor to the 2024 National Championship team.

6/24/26: While Keon Sabb had the bigger name, Hubbard was the Crimson Tide’s most consistent safety in the 2025 season. He was a tough run defender and a quality zone coverage strong safety in the middle of the field. In 2025, he had 66 tackles with four interceptions, eight passes broken up, and one forced fumble. Hubbard could develop into a starting strong safety in the NFL, but Hubbard needs to improve his pass coverage for the NFL.

6/24/26: Little had a good season with Florida State in 2025, totaling 76 tackles, four interceptions, two passes broken up, and two forced fumbles. Little played some nickel corner, safety, and on special teams for the Seminoles in 2024. He had 15 tackles with one sack and one tackle for a loss.

6/24/26: Awls showed some serious ball skills and coverage ability with Toledo in 2025. He totaled 52 tackles with five interceptions and four passes broken up. The previous season, he had 72 tackles with four interceptions and six passes broken up. Awls landed with Iowa State from the transfer portal.

6/24/26: In 2025, Bowen had 46 tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes broken up. Bowen flashed some for the Sooners over the past few seasons. He needs to produce more plays in coverage to rise.

6/24/26: In 2025, Sabb had 52 tackles with an interception and three passes batted. He had a quiet season and was not as dynamic as he had been the previous two seasons. Sabb was rise to return to college football. Sabb was a tough defender for Alabama in 2024. He had 39 tackles with two interceptions and four passes broken up. As a Michigan Wolverine in 2023, Sabb had 28 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up.

6/24/26: Ferrell had 48 tackles with four interceptions and six passes defended in 2025. Once again, he had splash plays to help his team and was a key contributor on the Hoosiers National Championship squad. In 2024, Farrell was a tough defender for the Hoosiers. He had 49 tackles with four interceptions and one pass batted. Farrell had some clutch plays to help Indiana make it into the college football playoffs. While Farrell may not have great speed or athleticism, he has good size to go along with instincts and ball skills.

6/24/26: In 2025, Barnes had 40 tackles with two passes broken up with Clemson. After the season, he transferred to Georgia. Barnes showed impressive playmaking ability in coverage in 2024 with some splash plays for the Tigers’ defense. As a sophomore, he totaled four interceptions with three passes defended and 61 tackles. As a freshman, he had three interceptions with six passes broken up and 38 tackles. Barnes could fit as a free safety in the NFL, and it would help him add strength and improve his tackling at the next level.

6/24/26: Perich had an impressive debut with the Gophers in 2024, totaling 46 tackles with a forced fumble, five interceptions, and two passes broken up. In 2028, his ball production declined, but Perich made more tackles as he recorded 82 stops to go along with a sack, forced fumble, an interception, and two passes broken up.

6/24/26: Satuala had 84 tackles with four passes broken up, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. He was an impressive free safety for the Cougars. If Satuala can build on his play and show well in coverage, he could be a riser during the 2025 season.

6/24/26: Ratcliffe is a tough and physical strong safety who could be a riser. In 2025, Ratcliffe had 66 tackles with three passes broken up. In 2024 he had 48 stops with three interceptions. He started out his collegiate career at San Diego State in 2023. If Ratcliffe shows well in coverage, he could be a riser.

6/24/26: Heard lacks height, but he is a stout and strong defender for Vanderbilt. In 2025, he totaled 71 tackles with one forced fumble, one interception, and three passes broken up. In 2024 with Florida Atlantic, Heard recorded 80 tackles with one forced fumble.

6/24/26: Patterson has been a solid contributor for Wake Forest over the past two seasons. In 2025, he totaled 80 tackles with one forced fumble and nine passes broken up. He had 74 tackles with an interception, forced fumble, and three passes broken up in 2024. Patterson could be a backup safety and special teams contributor with the upside to develop into a starting strong safety.

6/25/26: In 2025, Bailey had 76 tackles with two forced fumbles and two passes batted. Bailey is a strong safety who is a good tackler and is willing to get physical. In 2024, Bailey had 94 tackles with an interception, eight passes broken up, and two forced fumbles. If he shows good coverage skills in 2026, he could be a riser.

6/24/26: Bryant was a solid free safety for Kentucky in 2025 as he recorded 76 tackles with four interceptions and one pass broken up. He did a nice job of defending the deep part of the field. He covers ground well on the back end. For the NFL, Bryant could stand to add some strength for tackling pro receivers, tight ends, and running backs.

6/24/26: Green was a solid, strong safety for the Cardinal in 2025, recording 38 tackles with six passes defended and a forced fumble. Green started his college career at Washington before transferring to Stanford.

6/24/26: Bennee was a solid free safety for the Utes in 2025. He totaled 64 tackles with .5 sacks, four interceptions, and five passes broken up. For the NFL, Bennee should add some weight for tackling pro receivers, tight ends, and running backs.

6/24/26: Aguero flashed some ability in 2025 with Georgia as he totaled 39 tackles with an interception and two passes broken up. In 2024, Aguero had 26 tackles. For the 2026 season, Aguero transferred to Ole Miss. Aguero fits as a free safety.

6/24/26: Moore played at Duke for years before missing the 2025 season with an injury. He transferred to Ohio State for 2026. In 2024, Moore totaled 71 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, one sack, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and six passes broken up.

6/24/26: Harrison played for Cincinnati in 2025 and recorded 66 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss, seven passes broken up, and one interception. Prior to his season with the Bearcats, Harrison was at Tennessee for three seasons.

6/24/26: Barker is a big strong safety who showed improvement with the Seminoles in 2025. He totaled 48 tackles with 3.5 sacks and two passes broken up. Barker could rise if he impresses in coverage in 2026.

6/24/26: Moss is an undersized safety that needs to get stronger for the NFL. Moss started out at community college before playing with West Georgia in 2024. After recording 56 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, four passes broken up, and a forced fumble, Moss transferred to Kansas State. In 2025, Moss with the Wildcats, Moss totaled 41 tackles with five tackles for a loss, two interceptions, one sack, two passes broken up, one blocked field goal, and one forced fumble. After the season, he transferred to Tennessee.

6/24/26: McLaughlin had a productive 2025 season with the Huskies, 94 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes broken up. It was his first season of playing time, so he could rise if he builds off his debut.

6/24/26: Moore was a star to start out his college career before injuries dominated his past three years. Moore got a sixth season of eligibility after two injury-plagued years. In 2025, Moore returned to the field in late September and had six tackles and one interception in three games. He went out of the lineup in mid-October. Moore did not play this season after suffering a torn ACL in March of 2024. In 2023, Moore had 38 tackles with two interceptions and five passes broken up. In 2022, he had 71 tackles with four interceptions and seven passes broken up. Moore has quality ball skills and is a versatile safety on the back end. Moore must stay healthy in 2026 in order to be draftable. If he stays healthy and returns to his 2022-23 form, Moore could quickly rise up these rankings.

6/25/26: In 2025, Castell had 54 tackles with two interceptions with Florida. After the season, he transferred to Kentucky. Castell is a solid, strong safety for Florida, and he showed improvement throughout 2024. He recorded 55 tackles with nine passes broken up. The previous season, Castell had 59 tackles with an interception and three breakups. He needs to show well in coverage to rise.

<> 6/25/26: In 2025, Maldonado had 39 tackles with two interceptions and two passes broken up. Maldonado had a big season in 2023 for Arizona with 79 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a pass broken up. Maldonado played in four games in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury. After the season, he transferred to Kansas State.