- Caleb Downs is the crown jewel: The Ohio State star is a field general who also excels coming downhill to make tackles.
- Isaac Smith has high potential in the box: Smith is a versatile safety and a reliable tackler who's relentless against blocks.
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Estimated Reading Time: 16 minutes
The 2025 college football season has just begun, but it's never too early to break down prospects for next spring's draft class.
PFF Lead NFL Draft Analyst Trevor Sikkema offers his breakdowns for 21 safety prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman and Robert Spears-Jennings.
Coverage Safeties
Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Strengths
- Field general on the back end
- Understands coverage leverages/advantages when playing in the slot
- Chops his feet when approaching a tackle to stay on his toes for juke moves
- High pursuit IQ/shoulders stay square when he hits
- Great downhill acceleration/speed
- Excellent tackler in space or clutter
- High coverage IQ; good route/passing concept anticipation
- Not afraid to take non-lead blockers if that's what is best for the play
- Great hands and hand-eye-coordinator for plays on the ball
Weaknesses
- Frame is a bit light; slight durability concern as a player who makes hits
- Wins with speed, but not much else as a blitzer
- Has trouble working off all blocks
Scouting Summary
Downs has the NFL bloodlines that already back up a pro-level IQ as just an underclassman. He is slightly undersized, but brings everything else you'd want at a good or even elite level for the position. He should be drafted as high as you feel comfortable taking a safety.
Tao Johnson, Utah
Strengths
- Versatile experience very close and very far from the line of scrimmage
- Good athleticism for single-high responsibilities
- Comes downhill from high coverage depth fast, but in control
- Covers a ton of ground in coverage
Weaknesses
- A bit of a high-waisted build makes his first step not always the quickest (but top speed makes up for it)
- Needs to get his weight up for the NFL, especially tackling at full speed like he does from coverage depth
- Was still learning the nuances of safety play/spacing in 2024
Scouting Summary
Johnson is an athlete through and through. He played dual-threat QB in high school and was labeled an “athlete” as a recruit. He started his college career as a wide receiver but quickly switched to defensive back. He played 2023 in the nickel while starting as a free safety in 2024. Though he is still a bit rough around the edges as a safety (and needs to gain weight), his potential coverage impact is sky-high.
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Strengths
- Tons of experience in the deep center field alignment in Cover 1/3
- Top straight-line speed is NFL-level
- Good anticipation to break on passes before they are thrown
- Impressive downhill tackler who can line up ball carriers at high speeds
Weaknesses
- Good athlete, but not a great one for single-high work at the NFL level
- The hips and acceleration appear average for an NFL safety
- Can get bodied against the bigger tight ends in man coverage
- Don't love his instincts as a box safety
Scouting Summary
Thieneman has had a lot of experience as a deep (and I mean deep) safety in Purdue‘s single-high coverage system. He has good anticipation for deep throws down the sideline or over the middle, and has NFL-level top speed when pursuing. His hips, change of direction and acceleration appear average. He has some impressive downhill tackles, lining guys up at full speed. But, he seems to struggle when asked to play at the linebacker level, despite his willingness to be physical.
Kamari Ramsey, USC
Strengths
- Very good coverage movements; precise, controlled, explosive
- Good anticipation for route breaks/when to trigger downhill
- Very good ball skills
Weaknesses
- Missed tackle percentage jumped significantly in 2024
- Was not as interested in tackling fundamentals/discipline in 2024
Scouting Summary
Ramsey is a high-IQ coverage safety with good instincts and movement abilities to play in single-high and two-high shells. In 2024, he lacked the same passion he has in coverage for run defense, and must round out that part of his game to earn a draft selection worthy of a starting spot in the NFL.
Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
Strengths
- Ample experience as a center fielder type of coverage safety
- Vines for arms; makes for good PBUs and wrap-up tackles
- Can really open it up and run to cover a ton of ground
- Good downhill trigger from reaction time to acceleration
- Good ball skills from his receiver days
Weaknesses
- Slender build for the safety position
- Lacks hit power
- Needs to get stronger
Scouting Summary
Wheatley is a true single-high free safety with great range and ball skills from his high school receiver days. He is slender but has a long wingspan for pass breakups and long strides to cover a ton of ground as a center fielder (which he coincidentally played in baseball). He has a quick trigger to break on the ball or to come downhill in run defense.
He boasts good run-defense willingness, but his slender build does show up in that category. He must get stronger to take and dish out contact against bigger bodies in the league to become a more versatile safety. But, his range in its current form is still quite valuable.
Rod Moore, Michigan
Strengths
- Size is adequate for the NFL
- Smooth, quick backpedal for free safety work
- Explosive change-of-direction movements; flipping hips, first step
- Has the movement ability to play man coverage from the slot
Weaknesses
- Slender build needs more strength
- ACL tear in 2024
Scouting Summary
Moore possesses ideal athleticism — linear and agility — to play as a versatile safety: deep, in the box or in the slot. His best work comes from his deep coverage range, as well as his mirror ability in man against certain slot receivers. However, he must get stronger when tackling and at the catch point to achieve what is a Pro Bowl-caliber ceiling.
Michael Taaffe, Texas
Strengths
- Long arms help with tackles and pass breakups
- Quick footwork; oily hips for change of direction
- Picture-perfect backpedal posture
- Constant pre-snap communicator/makes adjustment calls
- Good coverage IQ of leverages/route anticipation
- Experience and success in the slot
Weaknesses
- Very slender build for the safety position
- Will lose most battles against lead blockers
- High missed tackle percentages
Scouting Summary
Taaffe is a great story of a hometown kid and fifth-generation Longhorn who decided to bet on himself and walk on at Texas. That eventually led to a scholarship, a starting role and an NFL projection. He is small and slender for a pro safety with tackling and run-defending issues. But, he has excellent footwork and change-of-direction movements, which he pairs with coverage IQ as a free safety and slot defender.
Terry Moore, Duke
Strengths
- Competitiveness jumps off the screen
- Fantastic eyes for watching the QB and anticipating throws
- Light on his feet when playing from the slot
- High IQ/feel for the position despite only playing there since 2023
Weaknesses
- Seems to have shorter strides, which likely limits him to two-high deep coverage in the pros
- True stop-and-start ability is adequate at best
- Could have shorter arms (high missed tackle percentage every year)
Scouting Summary
Moore has some impressive work in space as a back-end defender despite playing the position full-time starting in 2023. He knows how to watch QBs' eyes and anticipate throws, evidenced by his high ball production in 2024. His missed tackle percentage is consistently higher than you want it to be, but this is a smart, competitive player who can be a versatile piece in a two-high system.
Bud Clark, TCU
Strengths
- Can cover a lot of ground with his long strides
- Long arms to affect the catch point
- Confident player with all his experience
- Leaping improvement in coverage and tackling in 2024
Weaknesses
- High-waisted build makes stop-start and change of direction more of a chore
- Very slender build could bring up durability concerns
- Would rather not backpedal from a square stance (makes him declare flipping his hips early)
Scouting Summary
Clark will be one of the older prospects in the 2026 class (he was a Class of 2020 recruit), but he has turned that experience into a confident style of play. In 2024, we saw dramatic improvements from him across the board in coverage and tackling. His build is high-waisted and slender, which comes with agility and durability drawbacks, but there wasn't a lot he didn't do well in 2024. Last year, he looked like a top-100 pick.
Keon Sabb, Alabama
Strengths
- Long-limbed and high-waisted, but still an explosive, fluid athlete
- NFL-level pursuit speed
- Comfortable as an overhang defender
- Long arms to be a true disruptor at the catch point
Weaknesses
- More undisciplined in run defense in 2024
- Plays lighter than his listed weight
- Has some wasted steps in coverage and pursuit
Scouting Summary
Sabb is an impressive athlete for as long of legs and arms he has; that usually makes it much more difficult to be fluid and fast. His pursuit speed in coverage and to the ball is NFL-caliber. He plays lighter than his listed weight, and has some wasted and imprecise movements that come from reacting instead of anticipating. He is well-versed in all kinds of coverages (single-high, two-high, slot work). Sabb is an intriguing athlete, but one who must play with more strength and fundamentals.
Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma
Strengths
- Adequate explosiveness for the pro level
- Can trigger downhill quickly
Weaknesses
- Small for the position
- Very low ball production in his career
- Tape lacks difference-making plays
Scouting Summary
Bowen is a talented safety who projects as a versatile safety in a two-high system. He's small for the position, and though he doesn't have a ton of negative plays, he is lacking the difference-making snaps you need to stand out in a draft class. He should have plenty more opportunities for that in 2025.
Jalen Catalon, Missouri
Strengths
- Explosive first step into pursuit
- Packs a punch when he runs into ball carriers
- Good eyes and anticipation for where QBs are going (QB background)
Weaknesses
- Very extensive injury history, including shoulder and knee
- Will be one of the oldest prospects in the class (25 on draft day)
- Lacks the twitchy CoD for consistent nickel work
- Will sometimes drop his eyes for big hits instead of keeping eyes up and wrapping up
- Too many reckless plays in 2024
Scouting Summary
Catalon will get his doctorate in college football this season after seven years in the NCAA. Unfortunately, the reason for this is an extensive injury history, including major wounds to his shoulder and knee. This, along with his age, will likely mean he's getting drafted very late or undrafted — but he will get signed somewhere.
He still has a decently explosive first step, is good when operating in space as a two-high free safety and can read QBs' movements with his high school quarterback background. He still has a playmaker's mind, even if his body has heavy wear and tear.
Box Safeties
Isaac Smith, Mississippi State
Strengths
- Ideal build for strong safety work in the pros
- Will line up at safety, linebacker, slot defender or even edge defender
- Impressive tackler in 2024; power and reliability
- Enjoys how physical the game is
- Tenacious against blocks
Weaknesses
- Doesn't have much experience and feel for deep coverage
- Needs to gain more weight if he's going to stay at the second level in the NFL
Scouting Summary
Smith loves football — you can tell that from the first few snaps you watch. He's a safety on the depth chart, but plays mostly at the second level with the linebackers. If he wants to make a home there in the NFL, he'll have to gain weight. But, the mentality is there for a contributing player who flies to the ball as a reliable tackler and strong hitter.
Jalen Stroman, Notre Dame
Strengths
- Very light on his feet; quick to put his foot in the ground and trigger when called for
- Fast play speed
- Dialed in and eager to make plays at all times
Weaknesses
- Can get over-aggressive downhill at times, but you like the effort
- Might not have the linear athleticism for single-high assignments
- No career interceptions
Scouting Summary
Stroman is a ball player. He is dialed in to every play and is eager to make contributions. His play speed matches his athletic potential on a play-by-play basis. He is quick to anticipate and recognize where the ball is going, especially if it's downhill.
He possesses decent coverage athleticism, but isn't as rangy when working backward. Stroman also does not have a single career interception entering 2025. He can operate confidently in a two-high defense, where he can do most of his work coming downhill.
Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma
Strengths
- Ideal weight for the safety position in the pros
- Good snap count versatility as FS, SS and slot defender
- Low missed tackle percentage throughout his career
- Actually cares about run defense
Weaknesses
- Very low ball production (INTs and FINC%)
- Doesn't have as much confidence when moving back in coverage versus triggering downhill
Scouting Summary
Spears-Jennings is a modern day strong safety who does his best work when keeping things in front of him and triggering downhill. He has good movement skills, especially for his weight, but he doesn't feel as comfortable in deep coverage and doesn't have much ball production. Both need to improve for a top-50 selection.
Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU
Strengths
- Good build for the position in the pros
- Has the strength and pride to take on blocks
- Competitive player who likes to set the tone
- Relatively low missed tackle percentages in his career
- WIll ragdoll lighter tight ends in run defense
Weaknesses
- Top speed and explosiveness feel average for the NFL level
- Needs to be lighter/more active on his feet when scanning the field; ready to change direction and run in an instant
- Doesn't have the range for consistent single-high work
Scouting Summary
Nwokobia is a roaming safety who can patrol the middle of the field with good tackle power and plus run-defense consistency coming downhill. He's collected a good number of interceptions in his career, but has a low forced incompletion production — hinting at more of a two-high strong safety role. His athleticism feels average at best for the NFL level, but he's a player with a good mentality for physicality as a projected rotational safety.
Jordan Castell, Florida
Strengths
- Reliable tackler
- Relishes the chance to lower the shoulder for a big hit
- Generally has a good feel for spacing/lining ball carriers up
Weaknesses
- High-waisted build make his hips less fluid for change of direction
- Not a lot of high impact plays; 1 INT, 0 FF through two years
Scouting Summary
Castell is a bigger-bodied, hard-hitting safety who does his best work downhill and over the middle. His long arms make for a reliable, wrap-up tackler. He has long legs, which make flipping the hips deep a bit more difficult. Castell is enerally in the right place, but he just doesn't have many impact plays through two years as a starter.
Bray Hubbard, Alabama
Strengths
- Natural anticipation for where the ball is going (played almost every position outside of OL/Dl)
- Quick footwork to change direction quickly
Weaknesses
- Overall athleticism feels average at best for the pro level
- Doesn't pack a big punch at contact
Scouting Summary
Hubbard got his shot as a starter in 2024 and showed some good football IQ while playing as a deep safety and slot defender. His overall athleticism will likely be average at best in the pros. His multi-spot, multi-position background will lend itself to special teams work at the very least.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Strengths
- 99th percentile height and plus length for the safety position
- Six career forced fumbles heading into 2025
- Pretty fluid hips for his size
- Can be a bully at the catch point
Weaknesses
- Instincts and feel for where the ball is going are inconsistent
Scouting Summary
McNeil-Warren brings very alluring size and length to the safety spot, with 99th percentile height and long arms to boot. This size allows him to be a bully at the catch point, especially against smaller receivers running vertical routes. He also has six career forced fumbles heading into 2025.
His hips are pretty fluid to open up and run, so he can play some single-high from an athletic perspective. However, his game has too much inconsistency due to a lack of instinct and anticipation for where the ball is going. This makes him a shaky deep coverage player as a last line of defense.
VJ Payne, Kansas State
Strengths
- Ideal height/weight/length combination for second- and third-level versatility
- Significant snaps in the slot as free safety and box defender
- Good athlete with some surprising quickness and agility for his size
Weaknesses
- Build is slender despite weight number above 50th percentile for the position
- Can get fooled by misdirection
- Missed tackle percentage took a jump up in 2024
- Doesn't always play as fast as it feels like he could
- Could be better suited at cornerback
Scouting Summary
Payne has compelling size for a defensive back — whether that be as a safety or corner. He has plenty of snaps as a slot, deep and second-level defender thanks to that size, plus some impressive movement skills with it. He boasts good top-speed potential but doesn't always play as fast as you think he should. He also has to get stronger for tackles if he wants to be closer to the box in the NFL. Ultimately, he could be a potential convert to cornerback, which would emphasize his athleticism.
Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa
Strengths
- Looks the part of an NFL safety
- Generally in sound position to make plays on the ball
Weaknesses
- Wish he had more fire when pursuing ball carriers
- Game feels very conservative right now
- Has more than a few plays where he fumbles in his steps
- Too many over-run missed tackles
Scouting Summary
Nwankpa looks the part of an NFL safety, especially one who can play over the middle of the field and in the box versus tight ends. But, his size makes it tougher for him to stay fluid and change direction, and he has too many reps where he's over-running tackles. His game seems to lack the impact plays (two career interceptions, low forced incompletion rate) you want to see in a coveted safety.
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