The 2025 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2026 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Safeties.
As a five-star recruit in the class of 2023, Downs signed with Alabama out of Georgia. He played well as a freshman with 107 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. Following the season, Downs transferred to Ohio State. With the Buckeyes, he totaled 82 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defended. His play helped the team win the national championship.
At 6-foot and 205 pounds, Downs has good size and also has nice tackling ability. He helps support the run, but also has great coverage ability to play a variety of coverages. Downs has some times where he overpursues and gets too aggressive, but he is one of the best players in college football and will be picked early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ramsey was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022 who signed with UCLA to stay in-state. He redshirted in 2022, then had 40 total tackles, one interception and four passes defended in 2023. UCLA won eight games and then Ramsey transferred to USC for the 2024 season. In 2024, he registered 60 total tackles, one interception and five passes defended. He led the Trojans to seven wins.
At 6-foot and 202 pounds, Ramsey has solid size for a safety and can lay down some big hits. He is a good tackler, which helps him stop the run. Ramsey is a good athlete with fluid hips. He can be overaggressive at times, which gets him into trouble. Working on his eye balance in zone coverage will help his draft stock.
Sabb was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022 who signed with Michigan out of New Jersey. He redshirted in 2022, then played in 2023 with 28 total tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended. His play helped Michigan win a national championship. Sabb transferred to Alabama for the 2024 season. He had 39 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. He led the team to a nine-win season.
At 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, Sabb has NFL size for a safety and is a good tackler. He has good instincts and route recognition, which helps him be in position to make plays. Sabb is versatile and can play different types of coverages well. While he doesn’t have the greatest long speed and he overpursues some plays, the strengths outweigh the weaknesses. He can continue working on his eye balance in zone coverage as well.
Thieneman was a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 who decided to stay in-state to play for Purdue. He produced as a freshman, finishing the season with 106 total tackles, six passes defended and two interceptions. Purdue won just four games that season. In 2024, Thieneman registered 104 total tackles and seven passes defended. The Boilermakers took a step back and Thieneman transferred to Oregon for the 2025 season.
He stands at 6-foot and 207 pounds, which is good for a safety. Thieneman is a tackle machine that isn’t afraid to play downhill against the run. He diagnoses plays quickly and has good coverage skills. Thieneman can struggle to mirror receivers’ routes and can have some times of overpursuit. With another good season, Thieneman can be one of the first safeties selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma Sooners- Bowen has two years of good experience for Oklahoma, but can make more plays on the ball this season.
Bud Clark, TCU Horned Frogs- Clark is one of the more experienced players in college football, having started his career in 2020 and he has made plays.
Rod Moore, Michigan Wolverines- Moore had a knee injury and didn’t play in 2024 after helping Michigan win a national championship in 2023. If he can recover and have a good season, his stock can improve.
Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa Hawkeyes- Improving his ball skills will be on the agenda, but Nwankpa has been an effective player for Iowa over the last couple of years.
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