Ranking The Top Ten SAFETIES In The 2024 NFL Draft Class
By Peter Andrisani (The Mock Draft Guy)
As the 2024 NFL Draft gets closer, I’m going to start compiling my Top ten lists of prospects for each Position. Today, we are kicking off by taking a look at the talented 2024 Safety Class.
But first, here are five players that just missed out on my Top ten.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Jaden Hicks
Jaden Hicks is an instinctual defensive back who in the right scheme will consistently make impact plays for defense in both the run game and in pass coverage on all three levels of the defense.
Kenny Logan Jr.
One of my favorite players in this draft class, The fifth-year senior is one of the hardest hitters in the entire class. Known more as a run-stopping safety, Logan has good ball skills, and production, with ten pass breakups and five interceptions in his career.
Tyler Owens
Tyler Owens doesn’t believe in outer space, because he probably jumps over it. While he isn’t as refined as some other players on this list, Owens is a ridiculous athlete. Despite being a fifth-year player, Owens lacks experience, with just 30 games played to his name.
Kitan Oladapo
Oladapo has a ready-made NFL Frame, with great physicality.
Oladapo’s play recognition and Instincts are his best attributes, while he possesses the speed to close space quickly, Oladapo just missed out on the Top ten.
Tykee Smith
What Smith lacks as an overall athlete, he makes up for it with his competitiveness and alignment versatility. Smith is a safety\nickel hybrid who is very strong as a run defender while putting up some solid ball production.
Cooper DeJean
Perhaps I’m cheating here, as DeJean is considered a Cornerback by many. I, on the other hand, think his skills best translate to the safety position in the NFL. DeJean might just be the most alignment-versatile defensive back in the entire draft class. He has everything that you are looking for in an NFL-ready DB—size, physicality, ball skills, athleticism, agility, and speed. DeJean even offers some real appeal as a kick or punt returner. DeJean is truly one of the few “Swiss Army Knife” defenders in the 2024 Draft class.
2. Tyler Nubin
Nubin might be the most complete coverage safety in the entire draft class. Nubin has ample athleticism to line up against receivers and tight ends in the slot. Nubin has been elite in man coverage throughout his colligate career, giving up a QB Rating when targeted of just 17.5 this past season. The Ball production is also eye-popping, with a whopping 13 interceptions in his colligate career. Nubin needs to improve as a run defender, but his production, coverage ability, and ball skills will make him an instant impact player.
3. Cole Bishop
Bishop is a tremendous tackling safety, that plays with exceptional toughness. Bishop displays quick instincts and play recognition skills. Bishop is the best run-defending safety in the entire class in my opinion, and flashes instant box safety skills at the next level. While Man Coverage isn’t his strongest suit, he possesses more than enough recovery speed to make a play on the ball.
4. Kamren Kinchens
Another one of my favorites, Kamren Kinchens draft stock has taken a real hit since the turn of the new year. Kinchens disappointed at the senior bowl and turned in another below-average performance at the Combine. However, The game film does not lie. Kinchens is a human tornado on the field and plays with an insane motor and speed. Kinchens is the best ball hawk in the class, with 11 interceptions and two pick-sixes in the last two seasons alone. I expect Kinchens to be an absolute baller at the NFL Level.
5. Beau Brade
Brade is a well-rounded Safety prospect who will impact a defense on all three downs. A future at free safety remains intriguing, but Brade’s skill set inside the box as a modern-day defensive chess piece could quickly see Brade become a high-level playmaker at the NFL level. Brade has smooth footwork, he is quick in and out of his transitions, and is physical in man coverage against tight ends.
6. Calen Bullock
Bullock is the perfect modern-day free safety in today’s NFL. His long, lean athletic frame is perfect for playing centerfielder at the back end of the secondary. Bullock has excellent ball skills, ball-tracking ability, and tremendous range. Bullock is somewhat of a liability as an open-field tackler, but he makes up for it with his ball productions. Bullock’s colligate career saw him pick off nine passes, return two for a touchdown, and breakup 15 passes.
7. Javon Bullard
Bullard is yet another player in this year's safety class that can play all over the field. With his instincts and play speed, Bullard is a playmaker at the FS position. He does a good job playing over top and not allowing anything behind him. Bullard tracks the ball well from both high and low coverage. He consistently got his hand on passes to create pass breakups and opportunities for turnovers. Bullard is a high-IQ Football player who will carve a role out for himself for whichever team drafts him.
8. Malik Mustapha
I think Mustapha not participating in more events at the combine hurt his draft stock just a touch. Mustapha is an uber-athletic player, who plays with a high energy, and always finds himself around the football. Mustapha plays his best football in the box, where he can let his instincts play recognition, and tackling ability shine. He can get a little overaggressive in coverage, but Mustapha is always a big play waiting to happen.
9. Sione Vaki
One of the most interesting plays in the entire draft class, Vaki split time between the running back position and the safety position in 2023. Vaki had 53 touches for 520 yards and five touchdowns on offense, and defense, he had eight and a half tackles for a loss, two pass breakups, and an interception. Vaki is a gamer who will play in any alignment to help his team win. I can see him having a Chuck Clark-type career in the NFL.
10. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
DTD is an uber-athletic playmaker who does everything very solidly, except tackle. Taylor-Demerson has elite ball skills and playmaking ability in Zone coverage, especially playing in a centerfielder type of role. DTD possesses elite recovery speed and a fantastic vertical leap to boot. In terms of playing the safety position at the NFL level, DTD needs refinement, but he might be the best overall athlete at the position.
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS:
Order your favorite whiskey or spirit for the big game right to your doorstep and use code STADIUMRANT10 for a 10% discount at Caskers
Use code STADIUMRANT20 for a 20% discount at Bulletproof Coffee, SwingJuice, and Performix.
If you love shotgun beers, use code STADIUMRANT10 at Wild Man Drinking Company.
MORE FROM STADIUM RANT:
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our YouTube channel and subscribe!