2025 NFL Draft Safety Rankings
By Hayden Shapiro
1 Malaki Starks, Georgia
Starks is a master of reading the quarterback’s eyes. As a true freshman, he was the anchor of a stout Bulldog secondary, making his mark from the get-go recording an interception in his first ever collegiate game; and he didn’t stop producing. He is versatile, meaning he can line up in the box, up top, and in the slot. Starks’ willingness to tackle makes him a special prospect, but his ball skills are his forte. He tracks the ball effortlessly and consistently makes plays down the field. He is going to be a starter from day one and I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes in the top ten.
2 Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Watts is a must-watch when it comes to Notre Dame football. He is literally involved in every play; pass or run. He plays with grit and heart. Watts isn’t the biggest guy in the world, standing at 6’0 and weighing in at 200 pounds, but his toughness is unmatched. He plays downhill, meaning he doesn’t wait for the ball-carrier to get to him. Instead, he squares his hips and runs to the ball; that is why he’s number two on this list. His prowess over the middle is impeccable and his impact is felt in every game.
3 Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Big, athletic, and fast are three words I’d use to describe this Gamecock. Emmanwori is always in the right place at the right time. He was a leader for this South Carolina defense and consistently made plays wherever he lined up. Emmanwori is super physical in coverage, but he doesn’t get flagged a bunch. He’s going to test very well at the combine and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him selected in the latter half of the first round; that’s how athletically gifted this guy is. Pure upside and a high ceiling for Emmanwori makes him an intriguing prospect.
4 Kevin Winston Jr., Penn St
If Winston Jr. was healthy for Penn State this season, he very well could have been top two on this list. With that being said, a season-ending injury has him falling a bit. This Nittany Lion is the best run-stopping safety in this class. He had zero, yes zero, missed tackles in 2023. He creeps towards the LOS and never reveals what coverage he is in. He’s a smart safety looking to tackle, not shying away from the bigger guys over the middle. He’s also phenomenal at beating blocks in order to get to the runner. I love his game.
5 Malachi Moore, Alabama
Moore has been a captain for the Crimson Tide since he was a sophomore and his leadership is evident when you watch him play. He lines up in the slot a whole lot, but can truly play anywhere due to his tackling ability. He does often look for the big play, but if he can tune down his risks and really focus on what he does best, which is blowing plays up and knocking out short passes, he could end up being one of the defensive steals of this draft. The only knock on him is when Bama lost to Vandy, he had a meltdown. If he can correct some character concerns, he might be a late riser once the combine rolls around.
