There hasn’t been a safety drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2022, when three of them came off the board. This 2025 safety class has a chance to change that with two potential first-round caliber players. This prospect group has star power at the top and appealing talent in the middle rounds.
A group of SB Nation’s draft analysts from our 32 NFL team communities ranked their top safeties in the draft, and this top 10 is the result of those cumulative rankings.
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10. Malachai Moore, Alabama
Moore is a two-time team captain for the Crimson Tide and provided quality production over his 46 total starts during his career. Moore is better in coverage than run support, but his versatility to play high safety or nickel adds value to any team’s roster.
9. Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Ransom has five years of playing experience with the National Champion Buckeyes. He is more suited to be a strong safety where he can excel as a physical player and tone-setter while playing downhill.
8. Jonas Sanker, Virginia
Sanker has a natural nose for the football, putting up linebacker-type tackling numbers from the safety position over the last two seasons. Sanker has the measurables to develop into a starter at the NFL level, but can contribute as a special-teams ace immediately.
7. Sebastian Castro, Iowa
One voter had him fourth, but everyone else had him much lower. Iowa seems to pump out a draft-worthy DB every year, and Castro is the next one in line. He lacks the athleticism that some of his peers have, but his football intelligence and aggressive play style are next level.
6. Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Bowman’s biggest knock is his size (5’10”), but his playmaking ability and football instincts are undeniable. His size will likely push him down the draft board a bit, but Bowman has the skills to find his way into a starting position early in his career.
5. Kevin Winston Jr, Penn State
Winston only has 16 games of starting experience at the collegiate level, mainly due to an ankle injury he suffered last season. He has the prototypical size of an NFL safety, but he is a raw prospect who still needs to develop. His athletic traits suit him well when attacking the line of scrimmage, but his coverage skills and play recognition need more reps.
4. Andrew Mukaba, Texas
Mukaba is an athletic safety who has four years of starting experience at a major college program. He is at his best when he can let his coverage savviness guide him to where he needs to be. His smooth footwork and transitions put him in advantageous positions to let his superb ball skills shine.
3. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Watts received the most second-place votes, but didn’t get any first-place votes from our panel. Watts was a consensus All-American in 2023 and 2024 and has the production to back it up. The Notre Dame standout is the definition of a “ball hawk”, tallying 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. Watts should come off the board on Day 2 of the draft and will contribute right away.
2. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Emmanwori may be the biggest freak athlete to ever test as a safety at the NFL Combine. There are no comparables to his athletic abilities — he is in a class of his own. He has the traits to excel inside the box, but he doesn’t always play with a destructive mindset. I think his coverage skills are way better than most give him credit for. Emmanwori has the athletic skill set to become an elite NFL player, but unlocking that potential will depend on refining his football IQ. He barely avoided a tie with Starks for first place.
1. Malaki Starks, Georgia
Starks edged out Ammawori by the slimmest of margins for the first-place spot. Starks doesn’t have the athleticism Emmanwori does, but is plenty skilled enough to hold his own. He is a field general who understands how offenses are trying to attack the defense and routinely gets himself in good positions to make plays. Starks can be used as a deep safety over the top and also help in run support. His versatility and playmaking ability should have him in a starting spot from the moment he gets drafted.
