NFL Draft News & Analysis

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Safety

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) returns a punt for a touchdown against the UL Monroe Warhawks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

NFL draft season is nearly upon us. And with that comes the PFF NFL Draft Guide, which comes loaded with scouting reports and advanced data on the class' top draft prospects.

Here are the top 10 safeties in this year's draft class, per PFF's NFL Draft Guide.

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1. Brian Branch, Alabama

BIG BOARD RANK: 9

Branch is a very high-floor defender with a skill set that can fit into every defense in the NFL.

2. Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M

BIG BOARD RANK: 32

Johnson is a playmaker around the line of scrimmage.

3. Sydney Brown, Illinois

BIG BOARD RANK: 58

Brown is the single best athlete in this safety class. His size will take him off some boards, but his coverage versatility should be coveted.

4. Jammie Robinson, Florida State

BIG BOARD RANK: 65

Robinson brings a bit of a mismatched game. He possesses the ideal quicks and tackling ability to make plays around the line of scrimmage but has the size of a deep safety.

5. Jordan Battle, Alabama

BIG BOARD RANK: 74

Battle is a high-floor safety who can be a plug-and-play starter from Day 1.

6. Christoper Smith, Georgia

BIG BOARD RANK: 77

 

7. JL Skinner, Boise State

BIG BOARD RANK: 87

Skinner is exactly the build that the slot cornerback position is trending toward. Just don't expect much versatility.

8. Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame

BIG BOARD RANK: 110

 

9. Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State

BIG BOARD RANK: 113

 

10. Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State

BIG BOARD RANK: 120

Brown possesses a lot of raw talent to work with, but it has to be wrangled in considerably.

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