In the first round of the NFL Draft, there was no safety drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft since the three left the board. This 2025 safety class has the opportunity to change it with two potential first-round caliber players. This prospect group has star power and charming talent at the top in the middle round.
A group of SB Nation draft analysts from 32 NFL team communities ranked top safety in the draft. This top 10 are the results of these cumulative rankings.
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10. Marachai Moore, Alabama
Moore is a two-time team captain of the Crimson Tide, offering quality production with a total start of 46 in his career. Moore has better coverage than run support, but his versatility in playing high safety or nickel adds value to his team’s roster.
9. Rasan Ransam, Ohio
Ransom has five years of experience with the National Champion Buckeyes. He is good for strong safety as he is a great physical player and a tone setter while playing downhill.
8. Jonas Sunker, Virginia
The Sunker has a natural nose for football and has featured linebacker-type tackles from safety positions over the past two seasons. Sanker has measurable potential to evolve into a starter at the NFL level, but can quickly contribute as a special team.
7. Sebastian Castro, Iowa
One voter had him fourth, but everyone else put him much lower. Iowa appears to pump out draft-worthy DB every year, with Castro in the next line. He lacks the athleticism that some of his peers have, but his soccer intelligence and offensive playstyle are next level.
6. Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Bowman’s biggest knock is his size (5’10”), but his playmaking abilities and football instincts cannot be denied. His size pushes him down a bit to the draft board, but Bowman has the skill to find his way early in his career.
5. Kevin Winston Jr., Pennsylvania
Winston has only a 16-game starting experience at the college level, mainly due to an ankle injury he suffered last season. He has a prototype size for NFL safety, but he is still a raw outlook that needs to be developed. His athletic traits suit him well when attacking a line of scrimmage, but his reporting skills and play recognition require more reps.
4. Andrew Mukaba, Texas
Mukaba is athletic safety with four years of experience in major university programs. He is in his best condition when he can lead him where he needs to be in his coverage. His smooth footwork and transition put him in a lucrative position to bring his great ball skills to shine.
3. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Watts won the most number two votes, but not the first one from the panel. Watts has a production that is a national consensus in 2023 and 2024 and backs up it. Notre Dame’s outstanding is the definition of “ball hawk,” which tallies 13 intercepts over the past two seasons. Watts was off the board on the second day of the draft and is quick to contribute.
2. Nick Emanwy, South Carolina
Emmanwori may be the biggest free-athlete to test for safety in the NFL combine. Nothing compares to his athletic ability – he is in his own class. He has excellent traits in the box, but he doesn’t always play with destructive thinking. I think his coverage skills are far better than most people give him credit. Emmanwori has the athletic skill set to become an elite NFL player, but can unlock that possibility depends on refinement of his football IQ. He barely avoided a tie with Starks for first place.
1. Malachi Starks, Georgia
Starks kicked out Ammawori with a margin that ties the number one spot. Starks doesn’t have the athletic ability that Emmanwori does, but he has enough skill to hold onto himself. He is a general in the field who understands how crime is trying to attack defense and places himself in a good position to play on a daily basis. Stark can be used as a deep safety on the top and also helps with running support. His versatility and playmaking abilities should put him where he started the moment he was drafted.
