July 16, 2026
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2028 NFL Draft Prospects: Safety

Charlie Campbell Charlie Campbell11 mins


*Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in '15, '16, '17, '18, '20, and '21
Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024 NFL Drafts.
2nd Place in all NFL media with correct picks for 2021
2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

The top 2028 Safety prospects available for the 2028 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2029 prospect. ** – denotes 2030 prospect.

This page was last updated July 16, 2026. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2027 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

1. Texas image Jelani McDonald, S, Texas
Height: 6-2. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jelani McDonald, Texas
  • ’26 – Caleb Downs, Ohio State
  • ’25 – Malaki Starks, Georgia

7/14/26: 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.



2. Georgia image K.J. Bolden, S, Georgia
Height: 6-0. Weight: 185.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – K.J. Bolden, Georgia
  • ’26 – Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
  • ’25 – Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

7/14/26: 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.



3. Notre Dame image Tae Johnson*, S, Notre Dame
Height: 6-1. Weight: 197.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Tae Johnson, Notre Dame
  • ’26 – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
  • ’25 – Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

7/14/26: 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.



4. LSU image Ty Benefield, S, LSU
Height: 6-2. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Ty Benefield, LSU
  • ’26 – Kamari Ramsey, USC
  • ’25 – Billy Bowman, Oklahoma

7/14/26: 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.



5. Ohio State image Jaylen McClain, S, Ohio State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 202.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jaylen McClain, Ohio State
  • ’26 – Keiontae Scott, Miami
  • ’25 – Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin

7/14/26: 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. Alabama image Bray Hubbard, S, Alabama
Height: 6-1. Weight: 206.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 2-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Bray Hubbard, Alabama
  • ’26 – Treydan Stukes, Arizona
  • ’25 – Andrew Mukuba, Texas




7. Ohio State image Earl Little II, S, Ohio State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 202.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 2-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Earl Little II, Ohio State
  • ’26 – A.J. Haulcy, LSU
  • ’25 – Dante Trader, Maryland




8. Iowa State image Braden Awls, S, Iowa State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 191.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Braden Awls, Iowa State
  • ’26 – Genesis Smith, Arizona
  • ’25 – Jonas Sanker, Virginia




9. Oklahoma image Peyton Bowen, S, Oklahoma
Height: 6-0. Weight: 198.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma
  • ’26 – Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
  • ’25 – Lathan Ransom, Ohio State




10. Alabama image Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
Height: 6-1. Weight: 206.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Keon Sabb, Alabama
  • ’26 – Bud Clark, TCU
  • ’25 – Sebastian Castro, Iowa




11. Georgia image Khalil Barnes, S, Georgia
Height: 6-0. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Amare Farrell, Indiana
  • ’26 – Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
  • ’25 – Malachi Moore, Alabama




12. Minnesota image Koi Perich, S, Minnesota
Height: 6-1. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Khalil Barnes, Georgia
  • ’26 – Michael Taaffe, Texas
  • ’25 – Caleb Ransaw, Tulane




13. BYU image Faletau Satuala, S, BYU
Height: 6-4. Weight: 212.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Koi Perich, Minnesota
  • ’26 – Jakobe Thomas, Miami
  • ’25 – Maxen Hook, Toledo




14. Texas A&M image Marcus Ratcliffe, S, Texas A&M
Height: 6-2. Weight: 206.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Faletau Satuala, BYU
  • ’26 – Deshon Singleton, Nebraska
  • ’25 – Shamari Simmons, Arizona State




15. Vanderbilt image C.J. Heard, S, Vanderbilt
Height: 5-9. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Marcus Ratcliffe, Texas A&M
  • ’26 – V.J. Payne, Kansas State
  • ’25 – Marcus Sigle, Kansas State




16. Wake Forest image Davaughn Patterson, S, Wake Forest
Height: 6-0. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – C.J. Heard, Vanderbilt
  • ’26 – Jalen Huskey, Maryland
  • ’25 – Sebastian Castro, Iowa




17. Illinois image Matthew Bailey, S, Illinois
Height: 6-1. Weight: 222.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2026): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Davaughn Patterson, Wake Forest
  • ’26 – Lorenzo Styles Jr., Ohio State
  • ’25 – Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State




18. Kentucky image Ty Bryant, S, Kentucky
Height: 5-11. Weight: 196.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Matthew Bailey, Illinois
  • ’26 – Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma
  • ’25 – Mike Smith, Eastern Kentucky




19. Stanford image Jaivion Green, S, Stanford
Height: 6-2. Weight: 213.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Ty Bryant, Kentucky
  • ’26 – JaCorey Thomas, Georgia
  • ’25 – Keondre Jackson, Illinois State




20. Utah image Jackson Bennee, S, Utah
Height: 6-1. Weight: 192.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jaivion Green, Stanford
  • ’26 – Jalen Stroman, Notre Dame
  • ’25 – Shiloh Sanders, Colorado




21. Ole Miss image Joenel Aguero, S, Ole Miss
Height: 5-10. Weight: 201.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jackson Bennee, Utah
  • ’26 – D.Q. Smith, South Carolina
  • ’25 – Rayuan Lane III, Navy




22. Ohio State image Terry Moore, S, Ohio State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 201.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Joenel Aguero, Ole Miss




23. Arkansas image Christian Harrison, S, Arkansas
Height: 6-2. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Terry Moore, Ohio State




24. Florida State image Ashlyn Barker, S, Florida State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 217.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Christian Harrison, Arkansas




25. Tennessee image Qua Moss, S, Tennessee
Height: 5-10. Weight: 183.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Ashlyn Barker, Florida State




26. Washington image Alexander McLaughlin, S, Washington
Height: 6-1. Weight: 203.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Qua Moss, Tennessee




27. Kentucky image Jordan Castell, S, Kentucky
Height: 6-2. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Alexander McLaughlin, Washington




28. Kansas State image Gunner Maldonado, S, Kansas State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 190.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2028): 7-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Rod Moore, Michigan




2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2027 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P



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