2024 NFL Draft: Safety Big Board

The 2024 NFL Draft is mere hours away from kicking off on Thursday night. Teams have done all they can to finalize their visits and Pro Days and set up their big boards for the big weekend. Who are the best safeties in a class where talents will be acquired later in the process? Which of these prospects will make their way into the league, like Kyle Hamilton, Antoine Winfield, Jr, and Jevon Holland?

Note: All RAS scores are courtesy of @MathBomb

In case you missed the other positional rankings, they are below

• Quarterback
• Running Back
• Wide Receiver
• Offensive Line
• Defensive Line
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks

2024 Safety Rankings

1. Jaden Hicks | 6’1 211 | Washington State

Hicks is the top safety on the board with his outstanding versatility and athletic traits. He was seemingly deployed everywhere, garnering reps at both safety spots, linebacker, and some slot as well. His physical traits are impressive, as he posted consecutive 70+ tackle campaigns. The ball skills are also great, with ten passes defended and three interceptions. He’s very instinctive in coverage and in run defense, quickly diagnosing the play and attacking the ball. Football IQ is elite, given all the positions on his plate in college. He can turn and run with nearly everyone he faces, regardless of position. Teams will love his versatility but will be wary of putting too much on his shoulders. Given his physical traits, IQ, and versatility, he should be a surefire Day 2 selection. His play style and athletic profile resemble a combination of Isaiah Simmons and Markquese Bell.

2023 Statistics: 79 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions (one TD), four PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 8.97

Player Comp: Isaiah Simmons / Markquese Bell

Round Projection: Second to Third

“Taking the Bull-ard by the Horns”

2. Javon Bullard | 5’10 198 | Georgia

Bullard is a versatile and athletic safety who has produced consistently for the superpower Bulldogs for two years. Georgia deployed him as a corner and safety during his stay in Athens. His play merited an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He’s a top-level athlete who uses his cornerback instincts for safety. Teams could realistically move him around as a versatile chess piece, but he projects better at safety. Football IQ is immense as his collegiate head coach is a former safety who taught him well. Size may be an issue as he isn’t the biggest safety in the class. Overall athleticism is a big plus trait for him. The total package confirms him as the second-best safety prospect in the class. The former Bulldogs star DB compares to Antoine Bethea stylistically and athletically. He’s a locked-in Day 2 selection.

2023 Statistics: 56 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, and five PBUs

RAS: 8.25

Player Comp: Antoine Bethea

Round Projection: Second to Third

“The Leader of the Raiding Party”

3. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson | 5’10 197 | Texas Tech

DTD is the third-best safety in the class despite being only a two-year starter at the position. He’s a great athlete who tested very well during the Combine, posting 4.41 in the 40 and a 38-inch vertical jump. He improves his statistics annually, so the signs of improvement and a willingness to learn are there. The Texas Tech DB’s ball skills are evident on tape, with 13 passes defended and seven interceptions. His instincts as a safety are so good despite only playing the position for such a limited amount of time. He has all the physical tools to be successful in the league as a centerfielder type of free safety. Standout veteran safety Jimmie Ward is DTD’s athletic and stylistic comparison. The former Red Raiders star should be selected on Day 2.

2023 Statistics: 73 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, and eight PBUs

RAS: 8.11

Player Comp: Jimmie Ward

Round Projection: Second to Third

“Minnesota’s Golden Child”

4. Tyler Nubin | 6’1 205 | Minnesota

Nubin can potentially be the top safety in the class but falls just a bit short due to an offseason of bad testing numbers. He’s had four seasons of consistent production for the Golden Gophers, posting 24 involvements with the ball in that period. He possesses many good traits like instincts, frame, and explosion. Minnesota’s star safety is a versatile weapon for any defensive coordinator to move around. He primarily aligned at box safety in the Twin Cities. As the testing numbers indicate, he’s not the best athlete in the class by any measure, which does knock him down the board. PFF graded him as the tenth-best safety in the country, with an overall score of 89.2. The early stages of Day 3 should be his expectation. His athletic and stylistic profile is comparable to former Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams.

2023 Statistics: 53 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, five interceptions, four PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 3.72

Player Comp: DeMarcco Hellams

Round Projection: Third to Fourth

“Leading the Pac”

5. Kitan Oladapo | 6’2 216 | Oregon State

Oregon State had a tough-minded defense that Pac-12 teams had to watch out for, and Oladapo was the secret sauce. He was deployed everywhere in the secondary, including both safety spots and, on occasion, cornerback. Oladapo has all the physical traits that teams will love, including the height and length to compete with any offensive skill player. He tested well over the offseason, scoring an impressive 8.18 RAS, even if the 40 time was less than ideal. With his instincts, physical play style, and versatility, he could be best used as a box safety in the pros. The former OSU defensive back has three years of great production as well. Former Iowa defensive back Kaevon Merriweather is his physical and stylistic comparison. PFF graded him as the 13th-best safety with an overall score of 88.3.

2023 Statistics: 74 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, eight PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 8.18

Player Comp: Kaevon Merriweather

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

“The Deacon of Defensive Backs”

6. Malik Mustapha | 5’10 209 | Wake Forest

Mustapha was a physical force for the Demon Deacons’ defense for the three years that he was on campus. He doesn’t have the ideal size and length that teams look for in their safeties, but he has more than enough instincts and IQ to make up for it. His play in 2023 merited an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he was effective in practices. He was impressive in the offseason testing circuit, scoring an impressive 9.39 RAS. Versatility is another positive in his toolkit, as he has reps in both safety roles and as a cornerback. The former Wake safety is one of the better tackling defensive backs in the class. There is a possibility that he will get selected early on Day 3. He compares athletically and stylistically to former Virginia Tech DB Chamarri Conner.

2023 Statistics: 80 tackles, five tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception, two PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 9.39

Player Comp: Chamarri Conner

Round Projection: Fourth

“The General Bishop of Utah”

7. Cole Bishop | 6’2 206 | Utah

Bishop was a three-year starter for the Utes’ traditionally tough secondary. He played the free safety role, but his instincts may often have more in the box at the pro level. His instincts and IQ are above average, often steering him into the ball’s path. Bishop’s ball skills are real, as he was involved in nearly 200 tackles and 15 involvements in his career. He tested very well during the offseason, posting an outstanding 9.88 RAS. He has the size, overall athleticism, and instincts to get drafted on Day 2. The former Utah DB’s athletic and play style profile resembles longtime veteran defensive back Kamu Grugier-Hill.

2023 Statistics: 60 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 9.88

Player Comp: Kamu Grugier-Hill

Round Projection: Third to Fourth

“A Man of Troy”

8. Calen Bullock | 6’2 188 | USC

Bullock was the best of an inconsistent Trojans defense that suffered horrendously due to many factors. He’s an athletic safety prospect with great ball skills, notching 24 involvements in three years, including two touchdowns. The numbers throughout his career were consistent, and he peaked as a junior, which is a good omen. He offers good versatility, instincts, and athleticism in most schemes and is a willing tackler, as the counting stats suggest. Athletically and stylistically, he similarly resembles Marcus Maye. The former USC defensive back should be an early Day 3 selection as result.

2023 Statistics: 63 tackles, two interceptions (one TD), and seven PBUs

RAS: 6.37

Player Comp: Marcus Maye

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

“The Brade Bunch”

9. Beau Brade | 6’0 203 | Maryland

The former Terrapin was a productive two-year starter who filled out the stat sheet during his stay in College Park. He was used in various roles, including free safety, in-the-box, and some slot reps. The offseason testing process wasn’t great for him, thus the middling RAS. His instincts and IQ are highly rated and get him in the picture of the ball carrier. He isn’t the fastest prospect, but he is a physical force that has to be accounted for. Brade’s ball skills are great; he posted 17 total involvements during his two seasons as a starter. Maryland’s defensive back was invited to the Senior Bowl, where he showed off his talents. His athletic and stylistic comparison is current 49ers DB Ji’ayir Brown, who had a standout rookie campaign in 2023. He should be an early to middle Day 3 selection, given his traits and instincts.

2023 Statistics: 75 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, six PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 5.38

Player Comp: Ji’Ayir Brown

Round Projection: Fifth

“Georgia’s Agent Smith”

10. Tykee Smith | 5’10 202 | Georgia

Smith transferred to Georgia from West Virginia before the 2021 season. He participated in the Senior Bowl, where he was considered the best safety in Mobile. The former Bulldog safety was productive throughout his collegiate career. He’s an above-average athlete who was deployed seemingly everywhere in the secondary. Smith possesses a strong football IQ and instincts for the position. He is an aggressive tackler with great fundamentals. PFF graded him as the 35th-best safety with an overall score of 84.0, which was good for being the best in the SEC. His physical and stylistic profile resembles former USF and Eagles defensive back Nate Allen. Smith’s instincts, athletic traits, and production should merit an early Day 3 selection.

2023 Statistics: 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four interceptions, and two PBUs

RAS: 7.43

Player Comp: Nate Allen

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

“From The State of Rain to Summer in the Hamptons?”

11. Dominique Hampton | 6’2 215 | Washington

Hampton is an explosive athlete with only one year of production on his ledger, which is a concern. He has all the physical traits to stand out in the league if he’s in the right system. The former Husky defensive back is all about potential with plenty of ball skills. Pure, unadulterated speed is the name of his game. Teams will likely take a chance on his athletic traits while developing his game further. His physical and stylistic profile is similar to Rayshawn Jenkins. The Washington defender should be selected early on Day 3. He participated in the East-West Shrine Game.

2023 Statistics: 109 tackles, two interceptions, and seven PBUs

RAS: 9.46

Player Comp: Rayshawn Jenkins

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

“Give me Liberty or give me The Grove”

12. Daijahn Anthony | 6’0 195 | Ole Miss

Anthony began his career at Liberty as a cornerback before transferring to Ole Miss and to safety. He was productive in his lone season in Oxford. The former Mississippi defensive back is a solid athlete who can turn and run with quicker and smaller receivers. His ball skills are evident as a former cornerback, resulting in 11 involvements as a senior. A willing tackler who has the speed to chase receivers and runners down. His versatility to play cornerback and safety earns him a spot on the board. He was initially invited to the Hula Bowl, where he shined and earned an invite to the East-West Shrine Game. Teams will love his versatility and athleticism during late Day 3. His athletic and stylistic profile resembles former Florida safety Reggie Nelson.

2023 Statistics: 61 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, eight PBUs, and one forced fumble

RAS: 6.62

Player Comp: Reggie Nelson

Round Projection: Sixth

“Evan, AlMIGHTY Oregon”

13. Evan Williams | 5’11 200 | Oregon

The former Duck transferred to Eugene from Fresno State for the 2023 season. He was productive throughout his collegiate career, posting two 80+ tackles campaigns in three seasons. Williams was used primarily as a free and box safety during his time in Oregon. He’s had a great offseason process thus far, starting with a standout Senior Bowl process where he showed off his athletic versatility. He needed to run a little faster than his 4.60 40, but the explosion drills were above average. Teams will love his hybrid safety talents, and special teams value enough to merit a Day 3 selection. Williams is better suited for the box safety role than a free safety job due to his limited frame and speed questions. His athletic and play style profile resembles Siran Neal.

2023 Statistics: 82 tackles, five tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two PBUs, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries

RAS: 8.20

Player Comp: Siran Neal

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

“The Unlimited Utes Pipeline”

14. Sione Vaki | 5’11 210 | Utah

Vaki is a two-year starter for the Utes who has played nearly everywhere in the secondary in various roles. He’s a very good athlete with enough explosive traits to play a primary box safety role at the next level. The former Ute played running back in 2023 because of a litany of injuries to their normal complement of backs. He showed enough as a runner to merit consideration as a dual-threat specialist. While he doesn’t have the ideal length or athleticism, he gets by with a relentless motor and tackling fundamentals to be in the picture. He possesses the instincts of a strong safety who quickly diagnoses the play and attacks the ball carrier with ferocity. Well-schooled in the principles of defense, as most Utah defenders are. Vaki compares athletically and stylistically to former Michigan defensive back Josh Metellus. A late Day 3 selection awaits him, more than likely.

2023 Statistics: 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and two PBUs

RAS: 7.95

Player Comp: Josh Metellus

Round Projection: Sixth to Seventh