In the past couple of years, the NFL has started to see less value in the safety position, especially in the NFL Draft. Similar to tight ends and running backs, it seems that the league doesn’t view them as important as other positions. The 2024 free agency was loaded with tons of talent at safety, and some still remain unsigned. Here are the top safety prospects in the 2024 NFL draft.
2024 NFL Draft Safeties
1. Tyler Nubin – Minnesota
After the 2024 NFL combine, Nubin seems to have separated himself, and became the frontrunner at safety for the 2024 NFL draft. Nubin measured into the combine at 6’1 200lbs. Size and weight don’t seem to matter as much in today’s NFL at the safety position as there are player that range from 5’9 to 6’3 playing safety. Nubin has everything NFL teams are looking for at safety, he can do just about anything. He did not run at the combine but showed signs that he could be a day one starter for a long career.
2. Kamren Kinchens – Miami
Coming into the offseason, it seemed that the top safety was between Nubin and Kinchens. Kinchens seemed to have the advantage but after a tough combine, he has slipped down boards. He is a smart football player and has an eye for the ball with 11 interceptions in the past two years. After running a 4.65 40-yard dash, NFL teams might be avoiding him in the 2024 NFL draft. Kinchens is a great safety but he lacks the speed for the modern-day NFL.
3. Javon Bullard – Georgia
Bullard has been rising up boards this offseason. After two good seasons at Georgia, he was in the mix for the top safety spot in the NFL Draft. Bullard is a smaller safety at 5’10 but is very quick and speedy. He is adept at what he does but could struggle if he had to take over a bigger role in the NFL. Bullard ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine, one of the quickest for the safeties. With his strength and weakness, there is a chance Bullard could play more of a nickel corner in the NFL.
4. Jaden Hicks – Washington State
Jaden Hicks is known for his size. At 6’2, 211 pounds. he has the build that NFL teams are looking for. In addition to his size, Hicks is also great in coverage. In his career at Washington State, he had three interceptions and 10 passes defended. The reason those numbers might seem low is because he has only played for two years. He is not at the top because he is so young and doesn’t have a ton of experience. In the right system, Hicks should be able to develop into a great NFL starter.
5. Calen Bullock – USC
The reason that the USC safety is here in the number five spot is because he is very inconsistent. He can be great in coverage but horrible at run defense. Through all this, there are still very good pieces of Calen Bullock. He has great size at 6’2, 190 pounds, and ran a quick 40-yard dash at 4.48. Bullock seems to be the biggest risk or reward in this class. If Bullock can go into the right system and develop, he should be a great starter in the future.
All of these safeties are very similar in talent, it’s more about what kind of player a certain team is looking for. Any one of these five safeties listed could be the first off, the board.
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