The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 safeties in this year’s NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league:
1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State, 6-0, 206
Chess piece who can shutdown cover from the slot, patrol center field, lower the boom and blitz. Extension of the defensive coordinator in terms of communication. As a true freshman, had 100-tackle season at Alabama. Human missile battling “How high is too high for a safety?” perception.
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2. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon, 6-0, 201
Add up top five safety marks in 40-yard dash and vertical jump with a 78 ¹/₈-inch wingspan and loose hips and you have a fast-rising first-rounder. Sideline-to-sideline range. Tackling machine. Sees things before they happen. Six interceptions at Purdue in 2023.
Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images
3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo, 6-3 ½, 201
Rangy tackler and punishing tackler who would’ve been a regular on ESPN’s old “Jack’d Up” segment. Physicality translates to contagious energy. Imagine if he bulks up. Nose for the ball — nine forced fumbles and circus interceptions. Better off covering tight ends than quick slot receivers.
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4. Treydan Stukes, Arizona, 6-1, 190
Former walk-on with 4.33 speed (overcoming 2024 torn ACL) that shows up as he jumps throwing lanes (seven career interceptions) and blows up screens. Allowed zero touchdowns in 2025. Susceptible to double moves and cutback runs. Core special-teamer.
5. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina, 6-1, 210
Enforcer who stops power backs in their tracks and matches the physicality of tight ends with a jam in the pass game from the slot. Should be paired with a rangy free safety. Can clean up missed tackles. Eight career interceptions.
Jalon Kilgore of the South Carolina Gamecocks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images
6. A.J. Haulcy, LSU, 6-0, 215
Urgent three-school ball hawk nicknamed “Mr. Give Me That” because he generates takeaways (10 career interceptions, four forced fumbles). Reads the quarterback eyes and understands zone spacing. Will run through receivers. Lacks make-up speed and control when honing in on a tackle.
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7. Bud Clark, TCU, 6-1, 188
Six-year player and three-time captain with 15 interceptions (two pick sixes) since 2022. Aggressiveness backfires sometimes on pump fakes and play-action. Light frame and injury history raise concerns about durability and missed tackles. Runs stride-for-stride with receivers down the seam.
A J Haulcy of the Louisiana State Tigers participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis. Getty Images
8. VJ Payne, Kansas State, 6-3, 206
Size and speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash) combination. Stifled several of the draft’s best tight ends in the Big 12 by matching their physicality. Knows where to be on every play. Needs more urgency shedding blocks in run game. Made 41 straight starts.
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9. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State, 6-3, 203
Old-school trajectory of three-year backup to two-year starter at one school. Cleans up teammates’ missed tackles and always part of the pile. Length makes up for speed concerns. Alignment versatile. Zero penalties over final three seasons. Not enough ball disruption.
10. Genesis Smith, Arizona, 6-2, 202
Trusts his instincts and flies around over the top and cover tons of ground. The problem? A catch usually means yards after catch because he misses way too many tackles. Keep him away from the box unless he is blitzing.
Ohio State defensive back Lorenzo Styles (DB50) runs in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Late Riser
Lorenzo Styles Jr., Ohio State, 6-0 ½, 194
Former Notre Dame receiver with a knack for blitzing. Answered brother Sonny’s (linebacker) dominant NFL Combine with his own flying 4.27-second 40-yard dash. Covers kicks and punts. Pursues ball carriers but still learning positioning and developing instincts against the pass.
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Falling Fast
Kamari Ramsey, USC, 6-0, 202
Experienced at free safety, strong safety and nickel. Best utilized patrolling the deep part of the field. Sticks his hands in a receiver’s bread basket. Sloppy tackling, including overrunning angles. Coming off season-ending knee injury. Coach on the field.
Small-school wonder
Jacob Thomas, James Madison, 6-0, 215
Three-year starter who turned down scholarship offers from Richmond to be a walk-on at a higher level. Blue-collar mentality. Will challenge tight ends in man coverage or add a physical presence in the box. Needs quicker processing speed.
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