Top 10 Safety Prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
Last Updated: June 01, 2026 | Source: Consensus rankings from 9 outletsThe 2026 safety class is led by Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Here's a breakdown of the top 10 prospects at the position, with scouting reports, measurables, and projected draft range.
---
1. Caleb Downs — Ohio State
Consensus Rank: #6 overall | Projection: Top 15 pick | Measurables: 5-11, 206.0 lbs, 30" armsCaleb Downs is the total package at safety-a prospect with elite instincts, positional versatility, and championship-level maturity that makes him the defensive equivalent of a franchise quarterback. Football excellence flows through his bloodline as the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs and nephew of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Dre Bly. The former 5-star recruit burst onto the scene at Alabama in unprecedented fashion, becoming the first freshman in Crimson Tide history to lead the team in tackles (107) while earning Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year honors.
Strengths: Elite football IQ that translates film study into on-field success ... already plays like an NFL veteran in processing and anticipation ... Cornerback-caliber movement skills and fluidity in man coverage Concerns: Will drop his head and eyes when making tackle attempts at times, leaving him vulnerable to whiffing on elusive runners ... Sideline-to-sideline range can appear questionable against outside zone concepts NFL Comparison: Budda Baker with similar blend of instincts, tackling reliability, and versatility Full scouting report for Caleb Downs →---
2. Dillon Thieneman — Oregon
Consensus Rank: #20 overall | Projection: First round | Measurables: 6-0, 201.0 lbs, 4.35s 40, 31" armsDillon Thieneman is a versatile, high-motor safety who shattered expectations as a walk-on recruit to become one of college football's most productive defenders. At 6'0", 205 pounds, Thieneman arrived at Purdue as a mere three-star recruit but immediately made his mark, setting freshman program records with 74 solo tackles and 6 interceptions in 2023 while earning FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year and All-America honors. After leading the Boilermakers in tackles for two consecutive seasons (106 in 2023, 104 in 2024), his 210 career tackles, 6.
Strengths: True three-down impact defender with versatile alignment ... Set freshman records with 74 solo tackles and 6 INT in 2023 ... FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year and All-American Concerns: Hips, change of direction, and acceleration appear average ... Non-elite long speed and fluidity limit single-high utility NFL Comparison: High-floor support safety with versatility Full scouting report for Dillon Thieneman →---
3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — Toledo
Consensus Rank: #28 overall | Projection: First round | Measurables: 6-3, 201.0 lbs, 4.52s 40, 32" armsEmmanuel McNeil-Warren arrived at Toledo as a three-star recruit with raw athleticism that caught the eyes of MAC programs but flew under the radar of Power Five schools, bringing a 75 ESPN rating and modest recruiting buzz from his prep days where he snagged 55 tackles and three interceptions his senior year. The son of Tarus Horne and one of nine siblings, his journey from overlooked recruit to NFL prospect began slowly - playing primarily special teams in 2022 with just seven tackles before the light switch flipped. The 2023 season marked his breakout, earning MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week honors after a dominant 13-tackle, two-pass-breakup performance against Western Michigan that included an interception and forced fumble.
Strengths: Exceptional length and frame at 6'2" gives him leverage advantages that smaller safeties can't match in contested situations ... Creates turnovers with regularity through aggressive punch-outs and has mastered the art of attacking the football at contact points - accumulated six career forced fumbles ... Shows surprising hip fluidity for his build when transitioning from backpedal to drive on underneath routes and intermediate breaking patterns Concerns: Pattern recognition and route anticipation remain inconsistent, particularly when asked to play single-high coverage against vertical concepts ... Takes overly aggressive angles in run pursuit that quality backs can exploit with cutback lanes and lateral movement Full scouting report for Emmanuel McNeil-Warren →---
4. AJ Haulcy — LSU
Consensus Rank: #55 overall | Projection: Second round | Measurables: 6' 0", 222.0 lbs, 4.52s 40, 32.500" armsAJ Haulcy has carved an unconventional path to NFL consideration, transforming from overlooked Texas high school star to elite ball-hawking safety through three different college programs. The Fort Bend Marshall product dominated Texas high school football with 12 interceptions as a senior - three returned for touchdowns - while adding 47 tackles and earning First Team All-State honors. Despite the gaudy numbers, major programs passed, and Haulcy landed at New Mexico as a three-star recruit in 2022.
Strengths: Elite ball production throughout college career with 9+ interceptions across four seasons, including Big 12-leading 5 INTs in 2024 ... Tackling machine who consistently leads team in stops - posted 98, 74, and 64 tackles in consecutive seasons with multiple games of 10+ solo tackles ... Best when working downhill near line of scrimmage, projecting as low-hole strong safety in Cover 3 schemes Concerns: Passed over by major programs despite dominant high school production, raising questions about ceiling or evaluation concerns ... Measurements not publicly available, creating uncertainty about size, length, and athletic testing numbers NFL Comparison: Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma) tackling comparison - Murray had 28 tackles vs Army in 2018, Haulcy had 24 vs Fresno State Full scouting report for AJ Haulcy →---
5. Treydan Stukes — Arizona
Consensus Rank: #59 overall | Projection: Second round | Measurables: 6-1, 190.0 lbs, 4.33s 40, 31" armsTreydan Stukes represents one of the great development stories in college football, evolving from a walk-on at Arizona to an All-American cornerback and one of the top nickel prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. The Litchfield Park, Arizona native played at Millennium High School, totaling 97 tackles, 11 interceptions, and 14 pass breakups over three seasons while also contributing offensively. His athletic ability extended to track and field, where he earned a state championship in the triple jump and was a long jump finalist.
Strengths: Elite athlete with blazing recovery speed ... Excellent size at 6'2" 200 lbs for nickel position ... Fluid hips with smooth transitions in coverage Concerns: Older prospect with injury history ... Bites on double moves too frequently NFL Comparison: Taron Johnson (physical slot corner) Full scouting report for Treydan Stukes →---
6. Genesis Smith — Arizona State
Consensus Rank: #84 overall | Projection: Day 2 | Measurables: 6-2, 202.0 lbs, 4.50s 40, 32" armsGenesis Smith is one of the most compelling safety talents in the 2026 NFL Draft class, ranking as the third-best prospect at the position behind Caleb Downs and Kamari Ramsey. The 6'2" Arizona defensive back provides sound coverage over the top, managing intermediate zones effectively with his keen hip alignment IQ and smooth fluidity. What makes Smith special is his exceptional ability in purely coverage terms-his fluidity, spatial reasoning, and angle discipline overtop route concepts are elite traits that translate directly to the NFL.
Strengths: Exceptional fluidity in coverage among best in class ... Keen hip alignment IQ managing intermediate zones ... Smooth spatial reasoning tracking routes Concerns: Occasional lapses in pursuit angles ... Not eager to dictate at contact NFL Comparison: Coverage-first safety with elite fluidity Full scouting report for Genesis Smith →---
7. Bud Clark — TCU
Consensus Rank: #89 overall | Projection: Day 2 | Measurables: 6-0, 188.0 lbs, 4.41s 40, 31" armsBud Clark is a three-time team captain and former four-star recruit whose elite ball production makes him one of the most prolific turnover creators in the 2026 safety class. Clark entered his final season at TCU with 11 career interceptions and added 3 more in 2025 to lead the team while recording 67 tackles. At 6-2 and 190 pounds his long-limbed frame gives him the physical profile to match up against tight ends in man coverage with Bleacher Report identifying him as a potential tight end eraser at the NFL level.
Strengths: Elite ball production with 14 plus career interceptions at TCU ... Size and length at 6-2 to match up against tight ends in man coverage ... Range and closing speed triggering downhill and jumping routes effectively Concerns: Over-aggressive route-jumping tendencies allowing QB manipulation with eye movement ... Premature hip opening in man coverage giving receivers separation NFL Comparison: Calen Bullock Full scouting report for Bud Clark →---
8. Zakee Wheatley — Penn State
Consensus Rank: #95 overall | Projection: Day 2 | Measurables: 6-3, 203.0 lbs, 4.62s 40, 31" armsElite single-high safety who consistently finds the football and makes plays from center field better than any safety in this class. Former 3-star recruit from Archbishop Spalding High School who emerged as a standout after taking over the starting role in 2024. Posted career-best 83.
Strengths: Always around the football with elite instincts in both run and pass ... Single-high ability paired with elite range to cover tons of ground as center fielder ... Locates the ball in run game and triggers downhill with intent to make big hits Concerns: Tackling technique when wrapping up can result in falling around ankles instead of driving through contact ... Aggression to trigger downhill on play fakes makes him susceptible to double moves or deep shots over the top with play-action NFL Comparison: Kyle Hamilton-level range and instincts as single-high safety with Brian Branch playmaking ability Full scouting report for Zakee Wheatley →---
9. Kamari Ramsey — USC
Consensus Rank: #96 overall | Projection: Day 2 | Measurables: 6-0, 202.0 lbs, 4.47s 40, 30" armsKamari Ramsey is the second-best safety prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, trailing only Caleb Downs. The 6'0", 205-pound defensive back's trajectory took a dramatic turn when he followed defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn from UCLA to rival USC prior to the 2024 season-and he made his impact felt immediately with 60 tackles (43 solo), 5. 5 TFLs, two sacks, five passes defensed, an interception, and two forced fumbles.
Strengths: Elite read-and-react DB identifying route combinations and receiver tells ... Exceptional versatility flowing from two-high to robber to nickel ... Hyper-active foot speed with extraordinary swivel fluidity Concerns: Recovery speed questionable when stacked vertically ... Lateral burst to turn and run can be late NFL Comparison: Comparable to Kevin Winston Jr. (7.6), Christopher Smith (7.7), Kamren Kinchens (7.7) Full scouting report for Kamari Ramsey →---
10. Jalon Kilgore — South Carolina
Consensus Rank: #101 overall | Projection: Day 3 | Measurables: 6-1, 210.0 lbs, 4.40s 40, 32" armsJalon Kilgore is a physically gifted hybrid defender from South Carolina who was built to play in the modern NFL secondary. The former 4-star recruit has played his entire career as a Gamecock, lining up at free safety, strong safety, slot corner, and WILL linebacker in South Carolina's scheme where he mans the SPUR position -- a safety/linebacker hybrid role. Kilgore is a remarkably smooth mover in space with quick feet for his 6-1, 211-pound frame, and his 33-inch arms give him an impressive catch-denial radius to disrupt at the point of attack.
Strengths: Exceptional versatility across safety, slot corner, and linebacker alignments ... Smooth mover in space with quick feet for his size ... Impressive closing burst to recover and disrupt the catch point Concerns: Man coverage limitations against agile route runners ... Deep recovery speed is a question mark NFL Comparison: Jamel Dean Full scouting report for Jalon Kilgore →---