2025 NFL Draft: Top 10 safeties heading into the NFL Scouting Combine as the battle to be the first off the board is closer than you may think

For a while now, Georgia's Malaki Starks has been considered the top safety in the class. But multiple others have made up ground on Starks, and the NFL Scouting Combine will give some the chance to show why they should be the first safety off the board. Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to […]

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Oct 28, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) against the Florida Gators during the first half at EverBank Stadium.
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

For a while now, Georgia's Malaki Starks has been considered the top safety in the class. But multiple others have made up ground on Starks, and the NFL Scouting Combine will give some the chance to show why they should be the first safety off the board. 

Our team of NFL Draft contributors at A to Z Sports has continued to scout this class and update our rankings for each position. As a result, we have compiled our top 10 at each position heading into the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. Below, you can see how our eight contributors ranked in the top 10 safeties in the class. 

Top 10 Safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft ahead of the Scouting Combine

1. Malaki Starks, Georgia 

Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 2

Malaki Starks is viewed as one of the best overall players in this class, with some draft analysts having him as a top 10 player, in fact. His film in 2023 is some of the best you will watch at the safety position. But 2024 wasn't as strong of a season for Starks; he only had one interception and three pass deflections, which were both the least of his career. Still, he earned all but one first-place ranking from our draft contributors, and his only other ranking came in second. 

2. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina 

Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 2

The lone other safety to receive a first-place ranking from our draft team is South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori. He received one first-place ranking, and the other six ranked him second. Emmanwori is a dynamic player who showed at South Carolina he could play any role he asked of at the safety position. He is coming off the best year of his career, recording four interceptions. Two of which he returned for touchdowns, which led the FBS in 2024. 

3. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

Highest Ranking: 3
Lowest Ranking: 5

It'll be hard to find a safety that has better coverage instincts than Notre Dame's Xavier Watts. The two-time All-American recorded 13 interceptions over his last two seasons, which is the most of any FBS player during that span. If a team needs a player they can trust in single-high situations, Watts has a real argument to be the top safety on their board. His best ranking from our team was third from three contributors, and his lowest ranking came fifth from another. 

4. Andrew Mukuba, Texas

Highest Ranking: 3
Lowest Ranking: 7

Texas' Andrew Mukuba finished with two contributors ranking him third and another two ranking him fourth. Mukuba has the ability to play either safety position. He excels in coverage and brings the boom to ball carriers. If he's able to put up some elite athletic scores this week, his stock could rise tremendously, especially after the best year of his college career with five interceptions, four tackles for loss, and seven pass deflections in 2024. 

5. Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma 

Highest Ranking: 3
Lowest Ranking: 6

Oklahoma's Billy Bowman Jr. may be a bit smaller than what some teams will covet as a free safety, but he makes up for in with his coverage ability. He's aggressive to make a play on the ball when he sees it leave the quarterback's hand. He should also test really well in speed and agility drills at the combine. One of our rankers see him as the third-best safety in the class, and two had him fourth at this time. 

6. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

Highest Ranking: 3
Lowest Ranking: 9

If a team is looking for a safety to play in the box and be a legit difference maker in the run game, Penn State's Kevin Winston Jr. should be high on their list. He has displayed next-level instincts to attack a ball carrier, and it seems like he is always attempting to knock the ball out. He has excellent size and is expected to test well this week in Indianapolis. His highest ranking came in at third, and he also received three fifth-place rankings. 

7. Lathan Ransom, Ohio State

Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: 8

When people hear Ohio State and Safety from the 2024 team, the first name people think of is Caleb Downs, but Lathan Ransom deserves his respect, too. He is a gifted run-stopper whose play-recognition ability is truly impressive to watch. He comes in seventh on our list, but three of our team members actually ranked him sixth. 

8. Malachi Moore, Alabama 

Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: NR

Alabama's Malachi Moore is a versatile player who wore a lot of hats this past season. As a result, he projects as someone who could play free or strong safety at the pro level. However, I think the coverage skills he displayed in 2024 will lead teams to try him at free safety early in his career. One of our contributors ranked Moore sixth in the class, and two others ranked him seventh. 

9. Jonas Sanker, Virginia 

Highest Ranking: 7
Lowest Ranking: NR

Virginia's Jonas Sanker will be higher on team boards that are looking for a true box safety. Sanker is comfortable in that role, and it's the position his skill set projects him best at. A team will want to use Sanker like another LB on the field, allowing him to attack ball carriers. His highest ranking from our team came in at seventh, as well as receiving one eighth place ranking. 

10. RJ Mickens, Clemson

Highest Ranking: 8
Lowest Ranking: NR

To finish up our top 10 safeties in the class, RJ Mickens of Clemson is number 10. One contributor ranked Mickens eighth, and another ranked him tenth. His ability in coverage and overall football IQ, thanks to his dad's playing in the league, make him an intriguing prospect. He is currently projected to be a day three selection, but a strong performance at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine could help him catapult himself into the day two conversation. 

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