Bob McGinn on safeties
Four times in the last five drafts the safeties turned away from the first round wondering, “Hey, what about us?”
What hasn’t changed in pro football is every team still needs at least three capable safeties. What has changed is where those teams want to draft them.
In 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024, that meant anywhere other than the first round. From 1988-2019, a span of 32 years, the first round included a safety 25 times.
Just one safety has been a top-10 pick since 2012. Only 13 have been first-round selections in the last 10 drafts.
By and large, the higher investments at the position have paid dividends. The six safeties voted to the Pro Bowl in 2024 included three from the first round (Minkah Fitzpatrick-11, Kyle Hamilton-14, Derwin James-17) and three from the first half of the second round (Budda Baker-36, Xavier McKinney-36, Brian Branch-45).
Most personnel people see this class of safeties as pedestrian. One of the overriding problems for safeties is how officiating changes have lessened their impact.
“I don’t see a lot of safeties going early just because of the way the rules are these days,” an executive in personnel said. “With all the targeting rules in college football safeties can’t enforce anymore. You can’t hit anybody so you’re making sound tackles but not an enforcement-type tackle. It’s worse in college because guys don’t want to get kicked out. Their value is diminished just because of the way the rules are. If they can’t cover, a lot of the bigger ones become linebackers and a lot of the smaller ones are playing nickel and safety.”
In 1988, the Detroit Lions took Miami’s Bennie Blades (6-0 ½, 213) with the No. 3 pick, the highest choice ever for a safety.
“I think he’s the first guy to come into this league since Kenny Easley (No. 4, 1981) that can dominate from the free safety position,” Ron Wolf, the Los Angeles Raiders’ personnel chief, said before that draft. “I think he’ll put the fear of God into people coming in there. He’ll be a gigantic policeman.”
Three years later, the Cleveland Browns chose Eric Turner (6-1, 206) of UCLA at No. 2. He remains the highest safety ever drafted.
“Normally, you don’t take safeties quite that early,” Jerry Reichow, the Minnesota Vikings’ director of football operations, said before the draft in 1991. “But safeties are becoming more important than corners in a lot of defenses because they make so many tackles.”
Blades and Turner did their thing, pounding ball carriers out of the I-formation or split-back sets that the run-geared offenses of the era generally operated from.
A whole host of sledgehammer safeties — usually brimming with intimidating size and bad intentions — policed the secondary in the 1990’s and 2000’s. A partial list would include Ronnie Lott, Dennis Smith, Tim McDonald, Chuck Cecil, Steve Atwater, Thomas Everett, Bubba McDowell, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Roy Williams, John Lynch, Adrian Wilson, Lawyer Milloy, Robert Griffith, Sammy Knight, Carnell Lake, Bob Sanders and Kam Chancellor.
Today, teams prioritize coverage skills, both man and zone, in safeties. When it comes to run support, they seek players that can get people down on a consistent basis.
Intimidation? Kamikaze-style enforcement? Those boxes no longer exist on the standard scouting form.
SAFETIES
1. MALAKI STARKS, Georgia (6-1, 203, 4.46, 1): Third-year junior. “Everybody loves him (at Georgia),” one scout said. “They think he’s a slam dunk. Can play nickel, safety and, corner, in a pinch. Leader, instinctive, athletic. Everybody stands on the table when they talk about him. Top 20.”
Started 42 of 43 games. “If he comes out last year he’s easily a top-10 pick,” a second scout said. “Kirby Smart loves, loves Malaki Starks. Real great reputation … He had two or three bad plays. The kid (Ryan Williams) made that circus catch (75-yard touchdown with 2:18 left) in the Alabama game and he was back there, he was on the scene. Then there was another play against Florida when he got sucked up and they beat him over the top … I still think he’s one of the most valuable defensive players in this draft because he can play safety and/or down as a sub defender. He’s still the best safety. Hell of an athlete, great kid. He’ll know everything there is to know about your defense. There’s no questions about anything other than: why did he not play as good this year? Well, go watch the one-handed pick against Clemson. Would you rather have him, who never missed a game, or Will Johnson, who’s missed every other game? I would be fighting for Starks.” Finished with 197 tackles (six for loss), 17 passes defensed and six turnovers plays (defined as interceptions, fumbles forced, fumbles recovered). “Reminds me a lot of Marcus Williams, who came out of Utah and played for the Saints and the Ravens,” said a third scout. “It’s hard to find these guys. I don’t really have any negatives. He could be a little more consistent with his tackling technique from a breakdown standpoint but he didn’t miss many. It’s splitting hairs on him. Outstanding young man. Starter since Day 1. Went to (SEC) Media Day for them. A+ across the board. And someone may get crazy and decide they want to try him at corner for a little bit. He’s got the corner movement. I’d rather keep him where he is. This is a rich man’s version of Damarious Randall.” Arms were 31 5/8 inches. Vertical jump of 33 inches was the poorest of the top eight safeties. “He’s far and away the best safety,” a fourth scout said. “Can run, has great cover skills, love the athlete. He’s not Ronnie Lott in the run game but he is a good tackler.” Posted a best of 24-9 in the long jump as a high-school track athlete. “I don’t see an elite athlete, I don’t see the movement and I don’t see the cover,” said a fifth scout. “Last year, Tykee Smith did similar things and he was a third-round pick. Now this guy’s a first-round pick? I had the same (negative) feeling last year about (Javon) Bullard. He was a hyped-up guy, too. You play at Georgia, I guess you must be a first-round pick.” Five-star recruit from Jefferson, Ga.
2. NICK EMMANWORI, South Carolina (6-3, 222, no 40, 1-2): Dominated at the combine with position-bests in the 40, vertical jump (43), broad jump (11-6) and bench press (20 reps). “Kind of a self-made kid from small-town South Carolina,” one scout said. “Some think he’s a little bit tight. He’s not the most fluid guy. I think he’s a notch below Derwin James. He can play man coverage. He can hit people. Had a nice year taking the football away (four interceptions, two touchdown returns). I don’t see how that guy fails.” Longest arms (32 ½) at the position. “He’s a big guy who runs well but he plays more like an old-school strong safety,” said a second scout. “He can run, there’s no question about that, but his style is coming downhill. If he plays for a team that will use him as a safety-linebacker he’ll be great in that role. I don’t see him doing it for a lot of teams because he doesn’t play going backward nearly the same as he does going forward.” Third-year junior with 36 starts. “There’s some inconsistency and possible character issues,” a third scout said. “More like football immaturity. I had him second or third round. He’s a giant safety. Strong, physical, he will strike. Above average in coverage, especially for a big man. Motor is a little disappointing in pursuit and when it’s not his play to make. Good, good football player.” Finished with 244 tackles, seven turnover plays and 11 passes defensed. “This guy’s a force of nature,” a third scout said. “They’ll probably try him at linebacker at some point if it doesn’t work out at safety. He just is a rare breed. He’s naturally contrarian to most everything. He’s got top-20 talent but there’s some bells and whistles that come with him. Just be sure you know. He can probably fray some things. You’ve got to have somebody to deal with the personality. They say this guy is so strong-willed, if you get him onto your side he’ll save the world. If he is opposed to your views he’ll burn the world down.” From Irmo, S.C. “He just like some of those workout guys in the past,” a fourth scout said. “Isaiah Simmons. Obi Melifonwu. Those gigantic guys that work out. You just can’t play safety if you’re that damn big. I don’t like him as a player, and then the history of those guys … everybody was trying to find Kam Chancellor but he was one of a kind.” Compared by a fifth scout to ex-Packer Aaron Rouse. “Buyer beware,” said the scout. “The size and speed are outstanding but the change of direction is not great, which makes me worry about covering tight ends. I didn’t think he played with a lot of urgency. If you take him, you’re just betting on the ability and that he’ll keep improving.”
3. KEVIN WINSTON, Penn State (6-1 ½, 213, 4.52, 2): Suffered a partially torn ACL in Game 2 on Sept. 7. Returned to form March 28 at pro day and ran a strong 40. “He’s super talented,” one scout said. “The problem is, he didn’t play this year. He basically played in one game and 14 plays in a second game. He’s tall, long and really athletic. He can run. Got great cover skills. For a guy that’s long and lean he’s got no problem hitting. He’s a little bit out of control and needs some strength as a tackler.” Started 13 games in 2023. Third-year junior with 15 starts in 28 games. “I would think he goes there in the second,” a second scout said. “He was seen as a good player.” Finished with 90 tackles, five passes defensed and four turnover plays. Four-star recruit from Columbia, Md.
4. BILLY BOWMAN, Oklahoma (5-10, 196, 4.41, 2-3): Shortest safety of the group. “Sort of a knockoff Bob Sanders,” one scout said. “He’s real super aggressive like that. No fight’s too big for him. He’ll mix it up. If you’re one of these Pete Carroll teams and you’re going to stay with your standards, the length and all that, you’re not going to take him. But if you’re going to take an exception, he’s one of those kinds of players. He’s probably going to find a way into a lineup because he’s a really good player. He’s just small with short arms (28 ½). Couldn’t prevent rebound-type plays against Tulane and Auburn. Very active sparkplug. The production speaks for itself. I mean, he’s around the ball. He’s figured it out some kind of way.” Shortest arms at the position. “That will hurt him,” a second scout said. “That (40) will move him up. Talented athlete. He’ll probably be in the third-fourth range.” Started 41 of 47 games over four seasons, finishing with 199 tackles (10 for loss), 14 passes defensed and 16 turnover plays. Had six picks as a junior, returning them for 238 yards (39.7-yard average) and three TDs. “He was not easy (to evaluate),” a third scout said. “He plays 100 miles an hour, and that’s good and bad. He missed a good amount of tackles by being so aggressive. Plays with some swagger; fun player to watch. Is he big enough to be a full-time safety? I’m not sure. He’s got enough speed to match up but he’s not a real loose, quick-twitched athlete. Probably not as good as (Brian Branch). If your glass is half full, he’s a second-round pick. If your glass is half empty, he’s probably a third. He’ll probably go two because there will be enough people that will like him and will have a really good role for him. I think it’s going to have to be as a nickel corner.” Returned 12 kickoffs for a 15.5 average. Co-winner of the Don Key Award, the Sooners’ pre-eminent post-season honor. “He is a scrappy little ****,” a fourth scout said. “Don’t tell him he’s little. He’s not afraid to hit, quite the athlete, got some ball skills, smart. For a little guy he’s an inconsistent come-to-balance tackler in space. He can be run through. Size against tight ends in coverage is an issue. More of a little nickel-cover free safety.” Four-star recruit from Denton, Texas.
5. XAVIER WATTS, Notre Dame (5-11 ½, 205, 4.58, 2-3): Led FBS in 2023 with seven interceptions and was second last season with six. “The hands are rare,” one scout said. “He was a receiver coming in to Notre Dame and they moved him. You see that. He takes the ball away. He’s not perfect. He’s not elite. But you’ll love him. I wouldn’t take him in the first but he might go possibly down there (late first round).” Ran a disappointing 40 at pro day. “We had backup grades on him,” said a second scout. “He has some ball production. Just a really good college player. There’s not a big upside.” Started for 2 ½ of his five seasons. “They played him everywhere: free safety, strong, box, linebacker,” one scout said. “He is one of the most sure tacklers in-line. He hits you and knocks you and wraps you strong. If you quickly move on him then you see his limitations athletically. But he plays so under control he stalks you out. Better in zone than man. Really good blitzer.” Finished with 188 tackles (nine for loss), 18 passes defensed and 17 turnover plays. “You can’t argue with takeaways but he had quite the gifts,” a third scout said. “Like he wouldn’t be in position and there’d be a tipped ball and boom, interception. He bites at times and plays a little too aggressive. I wasn’t a big fan of his tackling. He got better this year but still had quite a bit of missed tackles. Fourth round.” Three-star wide receiver and safety from Omaha, Neb. “I had him fifth-sixth round,” a fourth scout said. “Will get involved in run support but has inconsistent attack angles and can go along for the ride. Not particularly strong. He is really smart. Good enough athlete. He will make it to be a good backup and special-teams guy.” Arms were 31 ¼.
6. JONAS SANKER, Virginia (6-0 ½, 204, 4.43, 3-4): Started 33 of 43 games from 2021-’24. “Really impressive kid,” said one scout. “He’s as rock solid as they come. Not a slug athletically, by any means. More of your traditional strong (safety) but in a lot of the two-high shells that teams now run he’d be totally fine back there because he’s so smart and so mature and so professional. At worst, he’ll be a No. 3 safety, but I can see him starting in the league for a long time because of who he is and the physicality. He’s more third or fourth (round) because he’s not an elite athlete, by any means. You’re just getting a good football player.” Ran a swift 40 and jumped well. Arms were 32 ¼. “I do see value in Sanker,” said a second scout. “He’s got size and really good straight-line speed. You want him to be a little more of a thumper for how big he is. He misses too many tackles because he’s got shoulder problems. Awesome, awesome kid. If he is starting it wouldn’t surprise me. I’d rather have him as a backup.” Finished with 273 tackles (14 for loss), 17 passes defensed and 11 turnover plays. “You’re probably talking fifth, sixth round,” a third scout said. “I don’t know if the speed helps him because his game was more physicality than having to get outside and help over the top. He’s too small to be a linebacker but that’s kind of how he plays. Box guy.” Three-star recruit from Charlottesville, Va. Played eight-man football in high school. Voted the Cavaliers’ defensive MVP in 2024.
7. ANDREW MUKUBA, Texas (5-11, 190, 4.45, 3-4): Started for three years at Clemson before moving to Texas and starting there in 2024. “He played safety this year,” one scout said. “They moved him for a reason. He is probably a better safety. He played more nickel corner last year.” Born in Zimbabwe, immigrating to the U.S. at age 9. “He likes to tee off on people,” the scout said. “That’s what he will do. He’s probably in that third-fourth range. He’s not special. More of a big-hitter type with a (small) body.” Finished with 212 tackles (nine for loss), 23 passes defensed and nine turnover plays. Arms were just 30. “He a free safety-nickel,” a second scout said. “Sixth round.” Four-star recruit from Austin, Texas.
8. LATHAN RANSOM, Ohio State (6-0, 203, 4.59, 4): Fifth-year senior. Graduated in December 2023. “Like him a lot,” one scout said. “He changed positions this year because of the kid from Alabama (Caleb Downs). Last year, I thought this guy might have been the best safety playing. Now he got usurped by his own NIL teammate. He’s smart, rangy, tough. He can cover in space. He can line you up. A year ago, he missed some (tackles) near the line of scrimmage but not a lot in space. They had him and No. 41 (Josh Proctor), and they kept inverting those guys to kind of keep 41 out of the plays. Ransom made a lot of plays.” Suffered a broken leg in the Rose Bowl late in his second season. In 2023, he missed the last five games with Lisfranc damage in his foot. “I trust him more in the running game than I do in the passing game,” a second scout said. “He’s tough. He’s hardnosed. Willing tackler. But I don’t trust his instincts playing off the hash. He’s so overaggressive in run support. Why Ransom wasn’t paying attention to what Caleb Downs was doing I have no idea. He could really learn from him. He’ll be a late (pick). You take him because he’s tough, he’ll be good on special teams. Until he proves otherwise, he’s a box safety. Now, he’s a better athlete than that, I will grant you that.” Finished with 227 tackles (18 for loss), 13 passes defensed and 11 turnover plays. Smallest hands of the group (8 ½). Arms were 30 ½. Benched 20 times to share top rung with Emmanwori. “I could see him in the third round,” a third scout said. “To me, he’s a solid fourth-rounder.” Four-star recruit from Tucson, Ariz.
9. MALACHI MOORE, Alabama (5-11, 198, 4.57, 4-5): Fifth-year senior. Made second-team All-SEC as a freshman in 2020 with a career-high three interceptions. “He hasn’t ascended like everybody thought he would,” one scout said. “He’s always been not quite good enough. He gets beat over the top when he shouldn’t. He’ll come down and miss a tackle when he shouldn’t. He’s one of those guys you hope he plays better and then he doesn’t. Flashes a lot but there’s not a lot of substance. He’ll be that late round-free agent.” Suffered a meltdown in the closing seconds of the Vanderbilt game when he shoved an opposing player, kicked the ball and threw his mouthpiece, drawing a personal-foul penalty. “Otherwise, a spotless reputation,” said a second scout. “He knows what to do and how to do it but he’s not talented. Excellent toughs and instincts. Some people will grade the helmet rather than the player and take him in the fourth.” Finished with 214 tackles (16 for loss), 25 passes defensed and 12 turnover plays. Very short arms (29 5/8). “This guy’s not going to get any better,” a third scout said. “He is what he is. Athleticism and speed are, at best, average. He’s willing to scrap and he’s crafty as ****.” Underwent hernia surgery Dec. 18 but was back running and testing at pro day. Four-star recruit from Trussville, Ala.
10. SEBASTIAN CASTRO, Iowa (5-11, 199, 4.62, 4-5): Six-year Hawkeye, three-year starter. “Day 2 selection,” one scout said. “He’s a starting nickel or safety. Like his athleticism and quickness. Physical player. Comes downhill and puts hit on the ball carrier and a blocker. Closes and runs the alley inside out on outside runs. Can have some missed tackles by attacking hard and not wrapping up, but he has made a number of tackles in space and shown strong wrap. Excels more in zone coverage where he can react, close and tackle or make the play on the ball. Has the ability to play nickel in zone coverage. I do have some recovery concerns against speedy wide receivers on double moves.” Didn’t run well at the combine and was even slower (4.72) at pro day. “I liked him better last year,” said a second scout. “It worked out well for him in Iowa’s defense because they play all zones. If he has to move out and play in space a lot I’m not sure how it will work out for him. He can do it, but he’s not the same player out there. I don’t know if he’s smart enough to be like him (the Vikings’ Josh Metellus) but he could be him. Metellus is bigger than this guy, too.” Finished with 163 tackles (14 for loss), 14 passes defensed and nine turnover plays. Vertical jump of 32 was the worst of the top 20 safeties. Arms were 30 ¾. Size 10 ½ hands were the largest at the position. “Not great physically but there’s a lot of guys like this at safety in the league,” a third scout said. ”Average speed, range and burst. Not really powerful as a tackler, but reliable. Not an ideal man cover guy against wide-receiver slots. He’s better than Josh Metellus, and Josh starts.” Played well in the Senior Bowl game. Will be 25 in October. From Oak Lawn, Ill.
THE NEXT FIVE
R.J. Mickens, Clemson (6-0, 199, 4.57)
Said one scout: “Dad (Ray: 5-7 ½, 176, 4.42) was an NFL player (nickel, 1996-’06) and he plays like it. Smart, aware and smooth. A good tackler with good ball skills. Not a dynamic athlete but knows how to play and produce. He’s just a good player.”
Maxen Hook, Toledo (6-0 ½, 201, 4.53)
Said one scout: “He played the old monster back position. I would say third round on the high side and no later than the fourth. I can see where somebody might identify with him and say, ‘Hey, this guy can be the glue that can hold it together back there.’”
Kitan Crawford, Nevada (5-10 ½, 205, 4.42)
Said one scout: “Potential riser. He was somewhere else (Texas). He can run. He’s tough. He’s sudden. Good blitzer. Played bigger than his size. He’s really strong when he tackles. Stood out at the Hula Bowl. Pretty solid player. Third round.”
Jaylen Reed, Penn State (5-11 ½, 212, 4.48)
Said one scout: “He’d be a great fourth-round pick. He can play nickel and safety. He’s not tall but he’s thick. Good tackler. He’s a Johnny on the spot and makes plays on the ball. He’s a baller.”
Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin (6-2, 214, 4.63)
One scout said: “He could be a dime linebacker, or probably grow into a linebacker. If Philly’s Reed Blankenship, the kid from Middle Tennessee (State), is starting in the league this kid can as well. He inserts quickly on inside runs. He’s got a good feel for underneath stuff in zone. You see some hip tightness. He can get beat over the top. He’d be better suited in a two-high than a heavy single-high scheme
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