The 2025 NFL Draft class is starting to take shape, and that means we’re getting a clearer picture of some of the top prospects and the position groups with the most depth.
The running back, tight end and offensive tackle positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in several years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact defensive backs this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three days of the draft, specifically on Days 2 and 3.
Here are PFF's top safety prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some initial scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the full ranking of draft prospects, along with their three-year player grades and position rankings, click here.
1. S Malaki Starks, Georgia
PFF Big Board Rank: 8
Starks was a playmaker in the SEC for three straight seasons. He brings good football IQ, tackling and movement ability to play free, strong and slot. He isn't a rare athlete, but he's a starting-caliber player for the backend of any defense.
2. S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
PFF Big Board Rank: 33
Winston's tape and the athleticism that he showed off in 2023 made him a prospect worthy of going in the first round. While his recent injury muddies his projection, he's still one of the top safeties available if he can fully recover.
3. S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
PFF Big Board Rank: 36
Watts is the best ball-hawking safety in this class thanks to his intelligence and ability to break on the football. That will have him drafted somewhere on Day 2, even with his tackling woes.
4. S Andrew Mukuba, Texas
PFF Big Board Rank: 62
Mukuba's lack of a run-defense skill set may turn off some teams, but his instincts and athleticism in coverage make him a top prospect. His game is reminiscent of Devin McCourty, who excelled as a true free safety later in his career with the Patriots but had the savvy to make plays from a variety of alignments because of his football intelligence.
5. S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
PFF Big Board Rank: 67
Emmanwori is a tricky prospect who will require a leap of faith, considering where he's likely to be drafted. His elite athleticism and playmaking ability suggest his ceiling could be on par with a player like Kerby Joseph, but his underwhelming box play and questionable technique and instincts are more reminiscent of Isaiah Simmons, who was drafted in the first round in 2020 but has struggled to find a natural NFL position.
6. S Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
PFF Big Board Rank: 89
Toughness and tenacity are Ransom's calling cards, which he makes good use of in all facets of the game. While he may lack the tools some other prospects have, he has the instincts and awareness to make up for it.
7. S R.J. Mickens, Clemson
PFF Big Board Rank: 108
Mickens, the son of former New York Jet Ray Mickens, played a variety of secondary roles during his time at Clemson. This year, he was the veteran glue that held together a young group around him. In the process, he used his savvy and instincts to post an 89.8 coverage grade, tied for second-best among Power Four safeties. Mickens' smarts and pedigree should give him a chance to find a role on an NFL roster.
8. S Jonas Sanker, Virginia
PFF Big Board Rank: 113
Sanker brings effort, energy and a physical mindset from a two-high safety alignment. His aggressive pursuit — whether attacking the ball in the air or closing on ball carriers — can lead to occasional missteps, and there are moments where more control would serve him well. Still, he profiles as a preferred depth piece with the potential to grow into a starting role.
9. S Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
PFF Big Board Rank: 117
Whoever drafts Bowman will have to live with his tackling woes. If you can get over that, you'll get a versatile coverage defender who is a big-play machine.
10. S Sebastian Castro, Iowa
PFF Big Board Rank: 125
Castro is a savvy, smart slot defender whose lack of athleticism limits his projection at the next level. He shows some impressive tape in short areas and near the line of scrimmage, but asking him to play man coverage or operate with range is a gamble. At this point, he profiles more as a safety than a true corner.
11. S Jaylen Reed, Penn State
PFF Big Board Rank: 134
Reed is a stout box safety who fits well as a depth option in aggressive schemes that keep one safety near the line of scrimmage. His coverage skills remain a work in progress, but when kept downhill, he shows the physicality to be a reliable run defender.
12. S Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
PFF Big Board Rank: 151
Hancock is at his best near the line of scrimmage as a nickel defender. He was a two-year starter for the Buckeyes and earned an 82.2 coverage grade across those couple seasons. Hancock is a smart player in zone coverage but isn't athletic enough to stick with receivers in man coverage.
13. S Craig Woodson, California
PFF Big Board Rank: 167
Woodson's speed and aggression are his calling cards, as he chases ball carriers down near the line of scrimmage. He set career highs with an 88.6 coverage grade and six pass breakups in 2024. He's tough to trust in man-to-man situations but could carve out a depth/special teams role if he can play with a bit more discipline.
14. S Malachi Moore, Alabama
PFF Big Board Rank: 186
Moore is a versatile, high-IQ defensive back with experience both in the slot and at free safety. Though he lacks ideal length and top-end athleticism, his strong career production — including a 91.8 coverage grade and 81.0 run-defense grade — points to a reliable depth option in an NFL secondary.
15. S Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
PFF Big Board Rank: 197
Stout is a quick, feisty slot corner whose size limitations are the biggest factor holding him back at the next level. His lack of length confines him to nickel duties, and while he's a willing tackler, he doesn't bring much stopping power. That said, his short-area quickness and competitive edge give him a shot to stick as a depth piece and special teamer.
16. S Dan Jackson, Georgia
PFF Big Board Rank: 212
Jackson is an intelligent player who thrived at free safety for Kirby Smart, earning an 85.3 career coverage grade. However, he's just an OK athlete who has plenty to work on as a tackler. As of right now, he projects as a special teamer and a depth safety in two-high shells.
17. S Maxen Hook, Toledo
PFF Big Board Rank: 218
Hook may lack the top-end athleticism to profile as a starting-caliber safety, but his snap versatility and physicality give him a strong foundation to become a standout special teamer.
18. S Caleb Ransaw, Tulane
PFF Big Board Rank: 221
Ransaw is a bigger, stronger nickel defender who brings reliable tackling and run support. However, concerns about his coverage anticipation and quickness may push him toward playing safety rather than nickel at the next level.
19. S Rayuan Lane III, Navy
PFF Big Board Rank: 227
Lane is an experienced, confident box safety who plays with an aggressive, attack-first mindset. He’s eager to make a tackle on every snap, but that downhill aggression can lead to missed assignments and big plays. If he can rein in his instincts and improve his discipline in coverage, he has a path to earning a starting role.
20. S Dean Clark, Fresno State
PFF Big Board Rank: 233
Clark lacks difference-making NFL explosiveness and acceleration, but he is an experienced and versatile safety prospect who can be a valuable depth player as a strong safety and can operate in a two-high safety system.
21. S Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
PFF Big Board Rank: 249
Wohler's senior season wasn't as good as his junior year, but he's still an interesting box safety prospect. He has an elite 90.0 coverage grade since 2023 and is a very strong tackler for the position, though he has just average athletic tools. If Wohler can make an impact on special teams, he can stick around in the league as a backup strong safety.
22. S Kitan Crawford, Nevada
PFF Big Board Rank: 260
Crawford is an athletic prospect who finally got a chance to start at Nevada after spending four years as a role player at Texas. He earned an outstanding 88.5 coverage grade in his lone season as a starter. His athleticism is his primary appeal and could get him drafted. He needs to become more refined and a. better tackler to earn something more than a special teams role.
23. S Akili Arnold, USC
PFF Big Board Rank: 269
Arnold broke out at Oregon State in 2023 with an 87.1 coverage grade but couldn't quite replicate that in his lone year at USC this past season. He plays with proper aggression but lacks the requisite speed and fluidity in coverage. His best path to an NFL roster could be on special teams, where he has well over 500 snaps of college experience.
24. S Malik Verdon, Iowa State
PFF Big Board Rank: 270
Verdon is a well-built box safety who’s most effective near the line of scrimmage. However, he spends too much time reacting rather than anticipating, which limits his impact. Sharpening his instincts and play recognition will be key to carving out a spot on an NFL roster.
25. S Alijah Clark, Syracuse
PFF Big Board Rank: 279
Clark is a flexible coverage player with over 500 career snaps as a free safety, box safety and slot defender. He's highly competitive with a quick downhill trigger. His wiry build leads to issues with tackling and run defense, which could lead to something more of a sub-package/special teams role
26. S Dante Trader Jr., Maryland
PFF Big Board Rank: 292
Trader doubled as a lacrosse star for the Terrapins, being named a third-team All-American in 2023. He's built more like a cornerback but is an excellent run defender (83.0 run-defense grade in 2024; 91st percentile) and tackler for the position. Trader is a below-average athlete, though, who will need to be closer to the line of scrimmage rather than a true deep free safety.
27. S Aubrey Burks, West Virginia
PFF Big Board Rank: 303
Injuries marred Burks in 2024, but his 2022-2023 tape and grading profile show a versatile safety with great zone instincts (97th percentile in zone coverage grade). Maintains a solid athletic profile but lacks elite traits and size that show up with inconsistency in coverage and as a tackler.
28. S Shilo Sanders, Colorado
PFF Big Board Rank: 317
Despite lacking the athleticism his father, Deion Sanders, showcased on Sundays, Shilo possesses physicality that shows up when coming downhill against the run or delivering hits in coverage. However, he often looks for the hit stick and fails to wrap up, leading to high missed tackle rates (13.4% in 2024). His football IQ is visible in his anticipation in coverage, but his poor footwork can cause issues with acting on reads with fluidity.
29. S Marques Sigle, Kansas State
PFF Big Board Rank: 318
Sigle makes his living playing out of the slot, where he showcased his physicality, particularly in the run game (85.2 PFF grade in 2024). He plays with authority to deliver hits when in position, but he frequently falls off tackles (16.5% missed tackle rate). Despite possessing serious speed (4.37-second 40-yard dash), he struggles to make good use of it as a slow processor, leaving him late in coverage frequently.
30. S De'Rickey Wright, Vanderbilt
PFF Big Board Rank: 320
Wright possesses a high-percentile build at the position (6-foot-3 and 213 pounds), which may afford him some looks at the next level, but a middling athletic profile may lead to a position change to dime linebacker. He maintains a solid feel for zone coverage (86th percentile) but doesn't possess the ball skills to be a difference-maker on the back end. He could sneak into the later rounds as a safety convert and special teams contributor.
31. S CJ Taylor, Vanderbilt
PFF Big Board Rank: 322
Taylor is a natural athlete with a multi-sport background, having competed at a high level in football, basketball, and baseball. His versatility allows him to line up at both free and strong safety, but he often reacts rather than anticipates, leading to inconsistent play. That lack of anticipation shows up in his tackling, as he posted a missed tackle rate near 20% across his college career.
© 2025 PFF - all rights reserved.