2027 NFL Draft Preseason Rankings - Safeties

The potential 2027 NFL Draft safety class could have as many as three prospects that earn first-round grades. Many of these prospects have the versatility to line up covering the slot, supporting against the run as a strong safety, and playing up high as a free safety. The overall depth appears solid but there are only a couple of difference makers at the top of the draft, and that could drive up their value next spring. 

1. Koi Perich / Oregon

2025 Statistics

82 tackles / 1 sack / 3 TFL / 1 Forced Fumble / 1 INT (1 TD) / 2 Passes Defensed

The Ducks bring in Perich (6'1" / 202 lbs) from Minnesota through the transfer portal to replace Dillon Thieneman, a first-round selection of the Bears last April. Perich is entering his third-year as a starter and will fill a similar role that Thieneman played last season. Perich is a well-rounded safety who is a reliable tackler, effective against the run, and has the range and ball skills the NFL covets. Perich could get drafted late in the first-round of the 2027 NFL Draft.

Area for Improvement - Perich may not have the speed and range that Thieneman displayed in college. Perich needs development in man coverage technique since he has rarely been asked to pick up a TE or RB in coverage.

2. KJ Bolden / Georgia

2025 Statistics

76 tackles / 2.5 TFL / 2 INT / 5 Passes Defensed

Bolden (6'0" / 195 lbs) was a 5-star recruit who has started since he walked on campus in Athens and has steadily improved throughout his two-year career. Bolden has proven to have great speed and range, breaks down well in the open field to secure tackles, and has instincts that have improved with experience. 

Area for Improvement - Bolden flashes elite ball skills but has yet to fully realize that potential. Bolden needs to play the ball in the air better and become more of a ballhawk as a junior.

3. Bray Hubbard / Alabama

2025 Statistics

79 tackles / 2 sacks / 4.5 TFL / 3 Forced Fumbles / 4 INT / 6 Passes Defensed

Hubbard (6'2" / 215 lbs) is a big, physical safety with deceptive speed and range that the NFL desires in their safeties. Hubbard plays the pass well and is effective crashing down and supporting against the run. Hubbard is physical, fast, and instinctive. When he eventually declares for the draft, Hubbard may hear his name called in the first 32 picks.

Area for Improvement - Hubbard can be over-aggressive and can be manipulated by a savvy QB at times. 

4. Zach Lutmer / Iowa

2025 Statistics

71 tackles / 1 sack / 5.5 TFL /  3 INT  (1 TD) / 7 Passes Defensed

Lutmer (6'1" / 203 lbs) is a versatile DB with experience at outside CB, slot CB, and free safety. Lutmer has quality agility, closing speed, and ball skills to bolt up draft boards with a solid junior season.

Area for Improvement - Lutmer has only started one year in Iowa City and needs additional reps. Lutmer is an aggressive ball hawk who sometimes can be manipulated by an experienced QB.

5. Earl Little / Ohio State

2025 Statistics

76 tackles / 2 TFL / 2 Forced Fumbles / 4 INT / 2 Passes Defensed

Little (6'0" / 203 lbs) is on to his third college team (Alabama / Florida State) and is set to start in the slot for one of the heavy-favorites for the 2026 national title. Little possesses an intriguing combination of size, speed, and agility and will fill the Caleb Downs role in the 2026 Buckeyes defense.

Areas for Improvement - Little finally got consistent playing time last season in Tallahassee but he is still relatively inexperienced. Replacing Downs is one of the tougher taks in college football this fall.

6. Ty Benefield / LSU

2025 Statistics

107 tackles / 8.5 TFL / 1 Forced Fumble / 2 INT / 4 Passes Defensed

Benefield (6'3" / 216 lbs) transfers into Baton Rouge from Boise State where he put together two solid seasons on the blue turf - 189 tackles / 13.5 TFL / 2 FF / 4 INT / 7 PD. Benefield has the size and hitting ability that may make him a LB in the NFL and he has a great profile for special teams play.

Areas for Improvement - Benefield can get exposed in man coverage, especially against quick WRs in space, and he may not have the athleticism that the NFL prefers in their safeties.

7. Amare Ferrell / Indiana

2025 Statistics

48 tackles / 2 TFL / 4 INT / 7 Passes Defensed

Ferrell (6'2" / 205 lbs) is a two-year starter in Bloomington who has the range, speed, and ball skills that the NFL loves in their free safeties. Ferrell is willing in run support and has good tenacity and toughness.

Area for Improvement - Ferrell needs to get stronger and become a more reliable and forceful tackler as a senior.

8. Keon Sabb / Alabama

2025 Statistics

54 tackles / 1 sack / 2.5 TFL / 1 INT / 3 Passes Defensed

Sabb (6'1" / 205 lbs), a transfer from Michigan in his third-year starting in Tuscaloosa, has been a steady and reliable hand and forms possibly the best safety tandem in the country (alongside Hubbard). Sabb is physical, tough, and has good range.

Area for Improvement - Sabb appears tightly wound and may not have ideal agility for man coverage.

9. Marcus Neal / Penn State

2025 Statistics

77 tackles / 1 sack /  11 TFL / 1 Forced Fumble / 2 INT / 3 Passes Defensed

Neal (6'1" / 216 lbs) followed coach Campbell from Ames to State College after a productive season in the Big 12 and hopes to duplicate that success this fall. Neal is a physical tackler and run stuffer who reads and reacts like a LB and has the physical attributes needed to handle TEs in coverage.

Area for Improvement - Neal's size and skill set may make a move to WLB a necessity in the NFL - he might not have the agility or movement skills needed to stay at safety as a pro.

10. Isaac Smith / Mississippi State

2025 Statistics

64 tackles / 1 sack / 1 TFL / 1 INT / 3 Passes Defensed

Smith (6'0" / 220 lbs) is an active, energetic, and dynamic defensive presence for the Bulldogs' secondary - he flies around and creates havoc all around the defense due to his instincts, strength, and tenacious playing style. Smith is a strong and reliable open field tackler.

Area for Improvement - Smith will be playing slot CB a good amount of time this fall and he may not have the quickness and agility desired for covering WRs. But Smith is a physical force who will be impactful against the run as a slot CB.

Watch List - Khalil Barnes / Georgia, Tae Johnson / Notre Dame, Adon Shuler / Notre Dame, Tae Johnson / Notre Dame, Rod Moore / Michigan, Chris Bracy / Michigan, Jamel Johnson / TCU, Dalton Brooks / Texas A&M, Nikai Martinez / Michigan State, Peyton Bowen / Oklahoma, Caden Dowler / Montana State, and King Mack / North Carolina State.