2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Safety

4/23/24: DeJean recorded 41 tackles, two interceptions and five passes broken up in 2023 before a season-ending lower leg injury. Multiple NFL team sources said they think DeJean’s best role in the pros would come as a safety and slot corner, although they do feel he could be a starting outside corner. However, a lack of juice could make him a better fit as a slot/safety hybrid. DeJean did not work at the combine, but he had an impressive workout in early April.

9/2/23: DeJean was all over the field for Iowa in 2022, making big plays on his way to totaling 75 tackles, five interceptions and eight passes defended. It was a breakout season for hum. DeJean is a gritty and instinctive defender. It will be interesting to see if DeJean is as large as his listed numbers and how well he is put together physically for the NFL. While he has played cornerback for Iowa, some team sources who have already done tape study on DeJean say they believe he would be a better fit at safety in the NFL.

4/23/24: In 2023, Nubin recorded five interceptions, four breakups and 53 tackles. He made some splash plays, but he also had issues with missed tackles.

9/2/23: Some teams had Nubin graded as a potential first- or second-round pick prior for the 2023 NFL Draft prior to him returning to Minnesota for another year. In 2022, Nubin totaled 55 tackles, four interceptions and three passes defended. He had similar production in 2021 with 49 tackles, three picks and two passes broken up. Pro evaluators like that Nubin is big, physical, instinctive, and has impressive movement skills for a player his size.

4/23/24: Bullard notched 56 tackles, two interceptions and five passes broken up in 2023. He played well despite being banged up.

9/2/23: Bullard is a corner/safety hybrid who is similar to Detroit Lions defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Brian Branch. In 2022, Bullard recorded 46 tackles, two interceptions, three passes broken up and 3.5 sacks. Bullard is highly instinctive, tough and physical, and has excellent feel and awareness. Bullard has a thinner frame, so it would help him to gain some weight for the NFL.

4/23/24: Kinchens was phenomenal in 2023. Despite missing time with a head/neck injury, Kinchens came back to the field and picked up where he left off in 2022 as an elite playmaker on the back end. In 2023 over 10 games played, Kinchens totaled 59 tackles, six interceptions and five passes batted. Kinchens is not a workout warrior, but he is a very good football player.

9/2/23: Kinchens broke out in 2022 with six interceptions, five passes defended, 59 tackles and a forced fumble. While he does not have special size, Kinchens possesses good instincts and serious ball skills. He is athletic, rangy, and could be single-high deep free safety for the NFL. Finding playmaking deep safeties are a tough commodity, so if Kinchens can stay close to being as consistent as he was in 2022, there should be a lot of teams targeting him in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Bishop totaled 60 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and three passes defended in 2023. He ran well at the combine. Bishop is well-rounded defender who could be a nice starting strong safety in the NFL. He is a good run defender, a dangerous blitzer, and a solid zone safety in the short to intermediate part of the field.

9/2/23: Bishop only started half the 2021 season, but he played really well for the Utes, recording 54 tackles, three sacks and five passes broken up. In 2022, he collected 83 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception and three pass breakups. If Bishop builds on his performance during his junior year, he could definitely rise for the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Bullock totaled 61 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes broken up in 2023. He is a tall, rangy free safety who could stand to add some weight for the NFL. Some team sources said they feel Bullock is too lean for safety and should move to cornerback, similar to L’Jarius Sneed. Bullock played some corner as a freshman, and moving back to the outside could be his best hope for sticking in the NFL.

9/2/23: Bullock had a breakout sophomore season for the Trojans in 2022, recording 48 tackles, five interceptions and six passes defended. He showed instincts and a knack for making some splash plays in the clutch. As a freshman, Bullock totaled 39 tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended. Bullock is a tall, long safety with ball skills. For the NFL, he could stand to get stronger and fill out his frame.

4/23/24: Over the course of 2023, Williams racked up 73 tackles, an interception and four passes broken up. He moved to linebacker at the Senior Bowl and turned in a good week of practice.

9/2/23: Williams is a big safety who has the size of a linebacker but moves pretty well for his size. Williams is more of a strong safety than a free safety for the NFL. He is consistent with his eye discipline, technique and tackling. However, his instincts aren’t bad and he has some coverage ability with flashes of physicality. In 2022, he recorded 59 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and six passes broken up.

4/23/24: Hicks was a tough defender for the Cougars over the past two seasons. In 2023, he totaled 76 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and four passes defended. Hicks notched 75 tackles, one interception and six breakups in 2022. Hicks is a big safety who could develop into a starting strong safety.

4/23/24: In 2023, Smith totaled 70 tackles, four interceptions and two passes defended. He practiced well at the Senior Bowl. Smith is short, but has some instincts and is a polished defensive back.

9/2/23: Smith is undersized, but he is a tough football player. In 2022, he collected 29 tackles and one pass broken up. His best season came in 2020 with 61 tackles, two interceptions and five passes broken up.

4/23/24: Wiliams was a solid defender for the Ducks in 2023, recording 82 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass broken up. He notched 66 tackles in 2022 after recording 90 tackles and three interceptions in 2021. Williams could be a backup safety and special teams contributor to start out his pro career.

4/23/24: In 2023, Vaki totaled 50 tackles, an interception and two passes defended. The year before, he recorded 40 tackles and three passes broken up. Vaki was a solid free safety for the Utes. He was okay in practice at the Senior Bowl, but not especially impressive.

4/23/24: Brade was solid for Maryland in 2023, totaling 75 tackles, an interception and six passes broken up. He totaled 85 stops, two interceptions and five breakups in 2022. Brade is a big strong safety candidate.

4/23/24: Oladapo was a solid defender for the Beavers in 2023, racking up 73 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, seven passes broken up and two interceptions. He notched 80 tackles and six breakups as a junior. Oladapo is a backup strong safety and special teams candidate for the mid-rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Simpson was a good defender for Auburn during his senior year. There is no doubt that he needs to gain weight for the NFL, but he is a smart defender who is dependable in downfield coverage. He also is a fabulous special teams player. In 2023, Simpson recorded 38 tackles, four interception and three passes defended. In 2022, he collected 37 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended. Simpson could be a nice mid-round backup who contributes on special teams and could possibly develop into a bigger role.

4/23/24: Proctor recorded 47 tackles, an interception and eight passes broken up in 2023. He was solid, but unimpressive, for the Buckeyes. Teams see him as a backup and potential special teams contributor.

9/2/23: Proctor recorded 21 tackles and two passes defended in 2022. He needs to improve his production in 2023.

4/23/24: Carlies is a big safety who runs well for his size. He could be a candidate to move to Will – weakside – linebacker. In 2023, Carlies totaled 64 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. He had three interceptions in 2022 and four picks in 2021. Carlies is a mid-round sleeper for the 2024 NFL Draft who has some upside.

4/23/24: Richardson was a contributor over the last five seasons for the Aggies. In 2023, he totaled 59 tackles, one forced fumble and three passes broken up. His best season came in 2022 with 73 tackles, one interception and five passes batted away.

4/23/24: Sam was a solid defender for the Tigers in the 2023 season, totaling 82 tackles, three interceptions and two passes defended. He notched 53 tackles with an interception and seven breakups in 2022. Sam could be a backup safety and special teams contributor. He is undersized and ran slow times at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

4/23/24: McMorris is a strong safety who played some nickel corner in college. In 2023, he totaled 88 tackles, an interception and seven passes defended. He had four interceptions, nine breakups and 90 tackles in 2021. McMorris could be a solid backup and special teams contributor.

4/23/24: Anthony faces some limitations in terms of size and speed, but he was a solid contributor for the Rebels in 2023. He totaled 61 tackles, three interceptions and eight passes defended on the year. He recorded two picks and four breakups over the previous season. Anthony could be a backup and special teams candidate at the next level.

4/23/24: Owens notched 32 tackles and two passes broken up in his final season with Texas Tech. He has some size and explosion, but was not a productive starter in college.

4/23/24: Taylor-Demerson, is an undersized safety, but he has some speed, so he could be a backup and special teams contributor. He played well as a senior with 73 tackles, four interceptions and eight passes broken up.

4/23/24: Mustapha could be a backup safety and special teams contributor in the pros. In 2023, he totaled 80 tackles, an interception and two passes defended. He recorded 58 tackles and three breakups in 2022. At the Senior Bowl, Mustapha looked like a backup and special teams contributor.

4/23/24: Watts is a large strong safety candidate for the NFL. He could start out his career on special teams. In 2023, Watts totaled 38 tackles and three passes broken up. He totaled 51 tackles and an interception in 2022. Back in 2021 for Ohio State, he recorded two interceptions and six tackles.

4/23/24: In 2023, Perry totaled 58 tackles, a forced fumble and four passes defended. He did not receive a combine invitation, but he is on the radar of some teams, including the Colts, who hosted him on a pre-draft visit.

9/2/23: Perry was a solid defender for the Horned Frogs in 2022, recording 84 tackles and two passes defended. The previous season, Perry played well at Colorado, totaling 66 tackles, three interceptions and three passes broken up. If Perry shows improved coverage skills as a senior, he could rise.

4/23/24: Key has good size, but he is slow for the NFL. In 2023, Key totaled 60 tackles, an interception and a pass broken up. He recorded 60 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2022 while playing with UAB.

4/23/24: Bradford recorded 54 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and four passes broken up in 2023.

9/2/23: Bradford was a decent defender in 2022, recording 58 tackles, an interception and eight passes defended. He had an interception and 52 tackles the previous year. Bradford needs to get stronger to tackle at the pro level.