Who are the safeties who’ll matter in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings
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The draft is loaded with fascinating safeties. There’s a whole lot of thump, some fantastic leaders, and a more for the pros to work with than they’ve had at the position in a long time. There are some huge boom-or-bust picks that some will have to make calls on in the top 100, but for the most part this group will hit, and hit some more.
From the college perspective, here are the top safeties in your 2020 NFL Draft, starting with the ones who’ll be in the mix, and then diving into the five who’ll actually matter over the next ten years of the pro football world.
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15. Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame
Size: 5-10, 201
The Good: A fantastic tackler who seemed like he got in on every play, he thumped away for 244 tackles with three picks and 12 broken up passes. He’s a compact hitter with good enough quickness to be more than just a run stopper. Most of his negatives come from trying too hard – he has to reign in his aggressiveness at times.
The Not-So-Good: Just okay in pass coverage, he’ll make a few big plays when the ball is in the air, but he’s not going to be used as a free safety at the next level – he has be kept around the box as a hitter.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He started at Navy and turned into a big-time part of a strong Irish secondary. He might not be for everyone, and he’ll struggle to be a regular starter, but effort will never be a problem, he’ll hit everything, and he’ll find a home early on as a special teams killer.
Projected Round: Sixth
14. Shyheim Carter, Alabama
Size: 5-10, 194
The Good: It took a few years, but then he came on as a reliable factor for the Tide D with 43 tackles in each of his last two years with three picks and 17 broken up passes. He’s got the range to get all over the field and the experience to play in a variety of ways.
The Not-So-Good: While he can move, he doesn’t have the raw wheels to make up for his lack of thump. He’s more like a corner-sized defender playing safety. He won’t be a volume tackler at the next level.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He might not have a sure-thing set role right out of the gate, but put him in on pure passing downs and let him use his range and playmaking abilities to get around the ball.
Projected Round: Sixth
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13. Jordan Fuller, Ohio State
Size: 6-2, 203
The Good: A terrific tackler who gets in on everything, he made 216 career tackles with five picks and ten broken up passes. He’s got the size to hold up as one of the draft’s more physical safeties.
The Not-So-Good: The coverage skills are just okay, he doesn’t have the big-time speed to be a dangerous playmaker at the next level when the ball is in the air, and he’ll have to live his life in the box – he’s not a free safety.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There might not be a whole lot of versatile traits, but his toughness and run stopping ability will find him a spot in someone’s secondary. Just surround him with speed, and he’ll handle everything between the hashmarks.
Projected Round: Fifth
12. Antoine Brooks, Maryland
Size: 5-11, 220
The Good: He cleaned up a whole lot of messes on a leaky Terp D, with 232 tackles in his last three seasons within broken up passes and four picks. He’s got the burst and ability to get behind the line – making 3.5 sacks with 27.5 tackles for loss – and he’s got just enough explosiveness to get to the ball with bat intentions.
The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t really have a right fit. He’s built to be more of a strong safety who gets to help against the run, but that’s not necessarily his game. While he plays fast, he doesn’t have the raw wheels to handle the speedy receivers.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s what you want in a safety attitude-wise. He’s a true leader who’ll take on everything by himself, he’ll hit everyone, and he’ll find a way to make something happen. If someone finds the right spot for him, he’ll be a steal.
Projected Round: Fifth
11. K’Von Wallace, Clemson
Size: 5-11, 206
The Good: In the seen-it-all category, he was a key thumper on the great Clemson defense over the last three seasons with 150 tackles during the span to go along with ten broken up passes in his final year. Athletic, he’s got the burst to crash any party as a giant-hitting force who can get a tone for a D.
The Not-So-Good: The coverage skills are just okay. While he can move, he doesn’t have the range and upside to be more than a pounder who mostly works in the box. However …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s a specific talent for a team needing a specific type of safety. If you have two solid corners and an athletic freelancing safety, then Wallace is the missing piece as the guy who’ll do all the tough and dirty work.
Projected Round: Fourth
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings Top Ten
2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings Top Ten
10. Brandon Jones, Texas
Size: 5-11, 198
The Good: A tough guy’s tough guy, he might be undersized, but he’ll always be working and bring the 100 mile-per-hour effort at all times. Able to get in on running plays and hold his own, he made 217 tackles over his last three seasons with 14 tackles for loss as one of more dependable parts of an extremely undependable Texas D.
The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t have the NFL build for his game. His frame isn’t right to be a next-level thumper and he’ll get battered around badly at times. While he has good speed and all-around athleticism, he doesn’t really have a next-level role as a free safety.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a massive tweener problem with his style and his game, but on effort alone he’ll find a spot on the field. He might be a rotational safety for a while and a core special teamer, but he’ll bring too much fight to keep out of the lineup.
Projected Round: Fourth
9. JR Reed, Georgia
Size: 6-1, 202
The Good: An elite tackler, he came up with 199 stops in his three seasons with five picks and 14 broken up passes. He’s built to be a hitter, has 4.5 speed, and brings the burst to always be around the ball. Extremely savvy, he’s a potential quarterback for an NFL secondary with all the intangibles every coach looks for.
The Not-So-Good: The raw wheels are fine, but he’s not necessarily a top cover guy against anyone other than tight ends. He could move around and play just about anywhere, but he mostly fits in the box to let him use his thump.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t get hung up on the negatives. He’ll get dropped down because he’s a bit rangy and isn’t an elite athlete who’ll fly around the field. Ask him to be a leader who’ll clean things up, and he’ll be that – all at a mid-round price.
Projected Round: Fourth
8. Julian Blackmon, Utah
Size: 6-0, 187
The Good: A cornerback playing safety, he’s got the tools to work in just about any system. In a draft full of big-hitters for the position, he brings more athleticism and range than most with 20 broken up passes and nine interceptions over the last three seasons. He’s not shy about hitting with 156 tackles after his freshman season.
The Not-So-Good: He’s coming off a late-season knee injury and hasn’t been able to show off his biggest positives – his speed and quickness. He’s not going to bring the big thump, but that’s not why you’re taking him. It’s going to take a little while to get all the nuances down of an NFL role, just because he really is a corner at heart.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: The knee will be fine. He’s a good-sized free safety prospect who fits in perfectly in nickel and dime packages with the range to freelance and make things happen when the ball is in the air. He’s got one of the biggest upsides of any mid-round safety in the draft.
Projected Round: Fourth
7. Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois
Size: 6-3, 221
The Good: You want your dream-sized safety, here you go. Massive for the position, he’s like an undersized linebacker and he hits like one with 192 tackles over the last three years. Best of all, he packs a whole lot of athleticism into a good frame, showing off with a 4.45 40 and 41″ vertical at the combine.
The Not-So-Good: Very good at the FCS level, he’s going to need a little time and technique work to be ready to rock in the jump up. Yeah, he’s big, strong, and athletic, but he also doesn’t really have a set position – he’s not a true strong safety and could need to be developed a bit to get there.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Take the tools, take the upside, and take all he brings and work with it. He’s not going to necessarily be ready on Day One, but he’s an NFL-skilled football player who checks boxes few defensive in this draft can. It’ll take a little creativity to figure out exactly what to do with him, but the payoff should be enormous.
Projected Round: Third
6. Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne
Size: 6-1, 217
The Good: As tools go, he’s about as close to the pin as it gets. The size is perfect for any of the safety spots, he runs a sub-4.5, and he’s one of the most explosive athletes in the draft – he led all safeties with a 42″ vertical. Rocked up big-time, this is what an NFL safety looks like.
The Not-So-Good: How much of a learning curve will there be? He did whatever he wanted at the D-II level as he badly outmatched and outplayed everyone on the field. He has never dealt with competition that’s close to his level.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll always be among the most athletic and all-around skilled defensive backs on the field – take your time and figure it out. He’s a massive hitter, he can fly around with the speedy receivers, and he’s got the upside to do everything you want your NFL safety to do … eventually. Be patient as he adjusts.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings No. 5
2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings Top Five
5. Terrell Burgess, Utah
Size: 5-11, 202
The Good: All of a sudden, the light turned on and he became one of the best safeties in college football with 81 tackles with a pick, five broken up passes and 7.5 tackles for loss as a senior.
A fantastic athlete, he’s a rocked-up defender with mid-4.4 speed and explosiveness out of his cuts. He looks the part, played the part last year, and he still has a world of upside to his game. Just getting started, he’s a worker bee who’ll live in a film room and do everything possible to get on the field.
The Not-So-Good: It took a little while to get going. In a good way, he’s got a whole lot of tread on the tires, but it would be nice if he came into the league with a bit more experience after being just a guy in his first three seasons. with the Utes. While he’ll make tackles, he’s not the most brutally physical hitter – he’s not an intimidating force.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s a boom-or-bust aspect to him. He’s got all the tools to go along with the character and effort coaches are going to love, but he’s a risk. It was a very good one year, but with just one career interception and 17 games of starting experience, he’s hardly a sure thing.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings No. 4
4. Ashtyn Davis, Cal
Size: 6-1, 202
The Good: The all-around talent and abilities are there to fit into any system and any role. He wasn’t able to do a full workout at the combine, but he’s got track star speed to go along with the willingness to get in on every tackle.
He measured a bit heavier than expected – pushing aside a knock that he’s not quite built for the position – but he was fine as he was with 108 tackles in his two seasons as a safety. Originally a corner, he’s got the wheels to move to the outside if needed, but he’s too physical and too good as a playmaking safety.
The Not-So-Good: He’s got to get past the groin injury that kept him out of Cal’s bowl game and prevented him from running at the combine. That’s going to be the one big concern – can he really hold up? Even at his bigger weight, he’s not quite built to be a big thumper.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Get over any possible knocks and concerns – he was more than productive enough for a high-end Cal defense with a terrific coaching staff. If he’s not the most athletic safety in the draft, he’s close to it. He’ll do everything needed to make himself into a fantastic pro.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings No. 3
3. Antoine Winfield, Minnesota
Size: 5-9, 203
The Good: A difference-maker who knows the game and plays like he has the opposing team’s playbook memorized, he’s always in the right position with an uncanny knack to make the key play at the right times.
Amazing as a freshman, he missed most of his next two seasons only to come back fresh and with an attitude, making 83 stops with seven interceptions and three sacks as a senior.
Combine his intangibles, playmaking ability and 4.45 speed, and he’s got all the tools and skills to be a high-end starter and superstar in someone’s secondary.
The Not-So-Good: It would be nice if he was a wee bit bigger. He’s a compact 5-9 and 203 pounds, and there’s no problem getting physical, but he was banged up too often in his Gopher career. He’s a good tackler, but he’s not going to blow up NFL guys.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: His father – Antoine Winfield, Sr. – was a special NFL talent, but that’s a high bar to set for the son. Jr. is going to be terrific, he’ll be an instant starter and possible leader for any secondary, but he’s got to be durable. He’s going to make something big happen whenever he’s on the field.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings No. 2
2. Xavier McKinney, Alabama
Size: 6-0, 201
The Good: A devastating baller whenever he gets the ball in his hands, and a whale of a tackler who’s great at getting all over the field, he came up with 169 stops over his last two seasons with five interceptions, taking two for scores. Throw in the six forced fumbles, and he’s an elite game-wrecker.
Able to handle any scheme or any role, let him go after the ball and make big plays, or let him come up with the help in run support, or let him work like a third cornerback and man-up in coverage – he can do it all. However …
The Not-So-Good: There’s a chance he’s got safety-tweener skills – he’s fine for any spot, but possibly not elite at any one NFL role. It would be nice if he had more raw speed. He plays fast enough, but he’s in the 4.6ish range in a draft full of 4.5 and better safeties. As tough as he is, he’s able to get bullied a bit by the bigger targets on 50/50 balls.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There are some parts to being safety that go well beyond any measurables – and his are more than fine. He’s a high-end football player who know how to handle himself no matter what his job is. Throw in his toughness against the run, and he’s a draft-him-and-don’t-worry guy. He’ll start for you at a high level for the next several years and be a stat-sheet filler.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Safety Rankings No. 1
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1. Grant Delpit, LSU
Size: 6-2, 213
The Good: A true quarterback for a secondary, he’s a veteran leader and high-end producer coming off a Thorpe Award-winning final year at LSU. With massive size, great range, and excellent hitting ability, he came up with 199 tackles with eight picks and seven sacks with 17.5 tackles for loss in his three years.
A big run defender, he’s willing to get in on anything and everything and do the dirty work. Combine that with his brilliance at sniffing out pass plays and always being around the ball, and he’s a versatile safety who can fit any scheme.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not quite the elite athlete some might like in the middle of an NFL secondary. While he can move, he’s not all that smooth. There’s a chance he can be more like a tweener type as a hybrid of safety positions as well as a smallish linebacker, but he’s not a thumper of a hitter against the run.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t worry about what he’s not. He’s not the killer of some of the other great LSU defensive backs who recently hit the league, but he’s a producer who’ll be just fine right away. He’s a low-ceiling, high-floor safety in an NFL that has to keep finding consistency at the position.
Projected Round: First
