Top Safeties - 2026 NFL Draft Preseason Watch List
- John B. Everett
- Aug 20
- 6 min read
Safety is a position that is often overlooked and undervalued in the NFL. NFL GMs tend to place the highest priority in the NFL Draft on QB, OT, WR, EDGE, IDL, and CB. In other words, positions that either support the QB or positions that directly attempt to stop the QB typically take priority early in a draft for an NFL squad. Saturday selections (rounds 4-7) are generally used on RBs, TEs, IOL, LB, Safeties, Kickers, and Punters. But the 2026 Safety class looks to potentially be special with as many as three prospects who may deserve to get drafted on Thursday night with top prospect Caleb Downs / Ohio State looking like a potential Top 5 pick next year.
Top of the Class
1. Caleb Downs / Ohio State
Downs entered the college ranks at Alabama in 2023 as a 5-star recruit and considered by many scouting services as being the top high school player in the nation. Downs (6’0” / 205 lbs) was an All-American as a freshman when he recorded 107 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three passes defensed. When Nick Saban retired, Downs entered the portal and transferred to Ohio State where as a sophomore he helped lead the Buckeyes to the national title when he finished the season with 81 tackles, two INTs, one half sack, and six passes defensed. But statistics fail to do Downs’ game justice. Downs is intelligent and highly instinctual. His versatility and skill set allows him to be used in a variety of positions and responsibilities and his speed and explosiveness requires him to be game planned for or he is capable of ruining the offense’s day. Downs, who’s brother Josh is a WR for the Colts, is a candidate to be a top two or three pick as early as next April.
2. Dillon Thieneman / Oregon
When considering the importance of roles that former Purdue starters TE Max Klare (Ohio State), EDGE Will Heldt (Clemson), and Thieneman will be playing for national title contenders this season, it is hard to imagine how the Boilermakers finished 1-11 last year. Thieneman possesses good size – desired height (6’0”), frame, and mass (205 lbs) and has been highly productive with 210 tackles over his two-year career in West Lafayette. The junior has displayed the ability to play as a classic free safety over the top with the speed and range to play as a single high safety and is physical and tough enough to drop into the box and crash down against the run. Thieneman displayed fantastic ball skills while winning Big Ten Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 while recording six interceptions and two passes defensed. However, Thieneman failed to make any INTs but finished with six passes defensed last season. Now Thieneman gets to play on a loaded Oregon team and less will be required from him in Eugene than West Lafayette. Thieneman could excel as a junior.
3. Michael Taaffe / Texas
Unlike Downs and Thieneman who were both highly recruited out of high school, Taaffe joined the Longhorns as a walk on despite winning two state championships. But similarly to Downs and Thieneman, Taaffe enters the 2025 season as a potential first-round pick next year. Taaffe (6’0” / 189 lbs) was a second team All-American after the 2024 season, recording 78 tackles, two INTs, ten passes defensed, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery for Texas. Taaffe is most effective lined up as a free safety where he can use his intelligence and instincts to survey the play, key and fire, and make plays on the ball or ball carrier. Taaffe is a reliable open field tackler and a true team leader who could hear his name called early when he declares for the draft.
4. Xavion Alford / Arizona State
The much-traveled Alford (he started his career at Texas before transferring to USC for one season before settling down in Tempe before last season) became a difference maker in the Big 12 champion’s defensive backfield in 2024 finishing with 85 tackles, two INTs, and five passes defensed. Alford has the desired size and length at 6’0” / 200 lbs. He has very good range – capable of covering half the field in Cover 2. Displays very good instincts. Solid tackler – breaks down well in the open field and brings his pads on contact. Alford has the athleticism and agility to cover RBs and TEs in man coverage and the foot speed to run with some WRs in deep coverage. Alford could be a Top 75 pick next spring with another healthy season down in the desert.
5. Bud Clark / TCU
Last winter NFL talent scouts fell in love with the size, speed, and production of South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori (2025 second round selection of the Seahawks) and since the NFL is a copycat league, every scout is looking for the next big bodied, smooth-moving, productive enforcer in the back half of the secondary. Enter Clark, who stands at 6’2” / 185 lbs, who has put together three straight quality seasons for the Horned Frogs. Clark has eleven interceptions and 13 passes defensed over the last three years and recorded a career high 68 tackles in 2024. Clark needs to improve his core strength to become a more impactful tackler but Clark’s ball skills are amongst the best of his class. The sixth-year senior needs a healthy and productive season to earn a Top 100 ranking next spring.
6. Isaiah Nwokobia / SMU
Nwokobia is coming off a break through season last year for the Mustangs and could work himself into high second-round draft consideration with a similar season this fall in Dallas. Nwokobia (6’1” / 205 lbs) has very good length and excels in zone coverage where his wingspan is effective in causing havoc – he has seven total interceptions over the last two seasons with two returned for TDs during the 2023 season. Nwokobia has improved in run support and has developed as a more reliable open field tackler and is coming off a 100-tackle season last year in Dallas. Nwokobia is an ascending talent who may be peaking at the right time.
Other Names to Monitor:
· DQ Smith / South Carolina. Perhaps the biggest and most intimidating safety prospect in next year’s draft, Smith takes over for Emmanwori as the physical presence in the Gamecocks secondary. Smith (6’1” / 219) has been a major contributor in Columbia since 2022 and has four career INTs (including one returned for a TD in 2022).
· Malik Spencer / Michigan State. Spencer is entering his third year as a starter in East Lansing and has teased with his athleticism and versatility as the Spartans have lined up all over the alignment. Spencer needs to get stronger to not fall off tackle attempts while also displaying more ball skills – he only has one interception and eight passes defensed over the last two seasons.
· Javon McIntyre / Pittsburgh. McIntyre is an experienced, multiyear starter with good instincts and range. McIntyre (6’1” / 195 lbs) is active against both the run and pass and is a smart and disciplined player - but he has not recorded an interception since the 2022 season, although the 12 passes defensed over that span of time indicates he makes plays on the ball, he needs more ball production this season.
· Rod Moore / Michigan. Moore missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a knee injury the previous spring and looks to get back to his previous self this fall. Moore (6’0” / 198 lbs) is highly athletic with great range on the back end and solid ball production with six INTs and six passes defensed over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Moore needs a healthy season before he declares for the NFL Draft.
· Keon Sabb / Alabama. Sabb started his career at Michigan, contributing to the national championship season, recording 28 tackles, two INTs, with a pick six, and four passes defensed. Sabb (6’1” / 204 lbs) joined coach Kalen DeBoer at Alabama last season and produced 39 tackles, two INTs, and four passes defensed in part-time duty. Sabb will be expected to produce even better numbers this year as he becomes a full-time starter this fall. His combination of size and athleticism makes him a potential first-round pick with continued development in SEC play.
· Terry Moore / Duke. Moore converted his first year as a starter into consistent and reliable production for the Blue Devils, recording 71 tackles, four INTs, five passes defensed, one sack, and two forced fumbles. Moore (6’1” / 195 lbs) has excellent range and has the foot quickness to handle single high safety responsibilities. Moore is also a consistent and reliable tackler who brings his pads on contact. He looks to add another solid season to his resume and work himself into second-round draft consideration next April.
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