Top 5 safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft: Can anyone unseat star Georgia defender for the #1 spot?
The 2025 NFL Draft is less than six months away, but it's never too early to become informed on the top players in the upcoming draft class. Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports decided to rank our top 5 prospects at every position collectively. We each ranked our top five, […]
The 2025 NFL Draft is less than six months away, but it's never too early to become informed on the top players in the upcoming draft class.
Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports decided to rank our top 5 prospects at every position collectively.
We each ranked our top five, then tallied the point totals similar to what you have likely seen with the AP Poll in college football to create our top safeties expected to hear their names called in the 2025 NFL Draft.
1. Malaki Starks, S Georgia
Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 1
A runaway winner for the best safety in the class, even at this early point of the process, it would be a shock to witness a safety see his name called before Starks.'
Why? Because he cheks all the boxes as a player with size, physicality, speed and of course, versatility.
Safeties are not typically a position to go off the draft board very high in the first round, but Georgia’s Malaki Starks is something special and has been on NFL watch since his freshman year. The 6-foot-1, 205 pound versatile defensive back has the elite speed and ball skills to make those impossible plays from sideline to sideline look easy. Thanks to his extreme athleticism, he can line up anywhere from nickel, post or box. And while he’s primarily a safety for the Dawgs, Kirby Smart is confident he could play outside cornerback if he needed to at the next level.
–Kelsey Kramer, A to Z Sports Georgia Bulldogs
2. Nick Emmanwori, S South Carolina
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: 5
Emmanwori doesn't have the name recognition of a player like Starks, nor he is as complete a player, but he's pretty close and more than worthy of a safety #1 ranking in most draft classes.
Expected to run a blistering 40 at over 6-3 and close to 230 listed pounds, Emmanwori is built like a modern LB but has the range and versatility of nickel defender. His frame and athletic profile will intrigue any team looking for an enforcer yet centerfielder at safety.
3. Xavier Watts, S Notre Dame
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
Watts was ranked up and down the board among our staff, but he clearly has the requisite traits and pedigree to be a valued pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While he's a solid athlete his knack for finding his way to the football, and scheme independence is noteworthy.
Good luck finding a more consistent safety in the 2025 class than Watts. While not the most dynamic athlete, his instincts are fantastic, are is his ball skills. That shouldn’t be a big surprise considering his wide receiver background, clearly understanding routes developing in front of him. He has solid starter upside on the next level.
–Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame, NFL Draft
4. Kevin Winston Jr., S Penn State
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
One of the more sure tacklers in the entire country, Winston can rally from the roof and impose his will on ball carriers with his 6-2, 205-pound frame. He has already shown the ability to develop in coverage, and he can be an integral part of a secondary at the next level.
5. Billy Bowman Jr., S Oklahoma
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: unranked
Just because Bowman isn't the biggest player, it doesn't mean he's without intensity, as the 5-10, 200-pounder is unafraid to throw himself into a pile and make plays on the football from any alignment.
Billy Bowman came into this season as one of the best safeties in the country, but a down season has somewhat taken his name out of the mix there. Instead, it’s been his teammates doing the things he was last season. Nonetheless, Bowman is still a can’t miss prospect due to his physical abilities, like his blazing speed and quickness. His IQ is really what stands out, and his ability to always be around the ball, with six interceptions in 2023 is something to write home about. Bowman needs to work on his consistency in certain areas, but will be a great player at the next level regardless of his this season finishes for him.
–Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Oklahoma
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The 2025 NFL Draft is less than six months away, but it's never too early to become informed on the top players in the upcoming draft class. Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports decided to rank our top 5 prospects at every position collectively. We each ranked our top five, […]
