OP
OP
B_doggman47
Hall-of-Famer
Offline
We'll just have to scratch Keon and re-evaluate the rest and move someone else into his spot. thanks for the info.
Analysis Our Top 10 Safeties in 2025 Draft (3 Viewers)
- Thread starterB_doggman47
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
OP
OP
B_doggman47
Hall-of-Famer
Offline
I didn't get hurt until my freshman year at what is now called UL Lafayette in 1978, before that it was called USL. I was a walk on player. I was just 6'/180#, playing the Strong Safety position. Partially tore the ACL in my left knee and damaged the meniscus. I figured then and there that I was done. Funny story, my senior year in high school we were playing against Patterson and there was a freshman player by the name of Dalton Hilliard that came on an end-around and was coming straight for for me. I tried to tackle him low around his waist and he ran right over me. He hit me so hard, I was sitting flat on my behind, I thought I was blind in one my eyes, when I realized my helmet had turned sideways and I was looking through the earhole of my helmet. But somehow I slowed him down just enough for someone else to make a tackle on him, LOL.
Offline
Any of the top 6 on the list would make me happy. Have watched em all, love the top 6.
Thanks for putting that together, and all of the draft stuff you do.
Thanks for putting that together, and all of the draft stuff you do.
OP
OP
B_doggman47
Hall-of-Famer
Offline
Here is our first analysis of our top ten, Nick Emmanwori. We went back and watched some of his games and he will be used as a multi-role player, he will be a versatile and physical player for some team's defense. He can be used in various situations of the field. Emmanwori could be used as an extra linebacker on running downs. This dude is big enough to be that S/LB hybrid player that I hoped for for years. He also has that elite speed factor, 4.38/40 time. He is predicted to go in the mid 1st round. This the type of enforcer we need in the secondary.
#1- Nick Emmanwori- (S) South Carolina (6'3"/225#)
Emmanwori has exceptional size-speed combination, boasting a 4.38/40 time that will turn heads at the next level. He's a versatile defender capable of playing both safety and nickel, offering valuable flexibility to NFL defensive schemes. He has elite tackling ability, consistently wrapping up ball carriers and rarely ever missing tackles in open space. Emmanwori has impressive ball skills, he made 8 PBU's and 2 INT's in his Sophomore season and 88 total tackles, 4 INT's with 2 returned for TD's and 2 PBU's this past season. He's a strong run defender who diagnoses plays quickly and takes efficient angles to the point of attack. His high football IQ is demonstrated by his ability to lead the defense and make pre-snap adjustments. Emmanwori excels in man-to-man coverage, particularly against TE's and bigger WR's. He's a durable player who started 23 out of 24 games played in his college career.
Emmanwori's zone coverage skills need a little refinement, as he can occasionally lose positioning or miss assignments. He can be overly aggressive at times, potentially leading to missed tackles or blown coverages. He may need to add functional strength to consistently shed blocks from NFL-caliber O-Linemen. Emmanwori Is still developing as a blitzer and could improve his effectiveness when sent after the QB.
Emmanwori projects as a versatile safety with the potential to make an immediate impact in the NFL. His combination of size, speed and instincts make him and intriguing prospect for teams employing multiple defensive looks. While he excels in run support and man coverage, Emmanwori will need to refine his zone coverage skills to become a complete safety at the next level.
Scheme fit will be crucial for Emmanwori's success. His skillset is best suited for defenses that utilizes their safeties in varied roles, including in-the-box run support and man coverage on TE's. Creative defensive coordinators will value his positional flexibility to match up with different types of offensive weapons.
With his physical tools, production and room for growth, Emmanwori has the potential to develop into a high impact starter in the NFL. His tackling prowess and coverage skills provide a solid foundation for a productive pro career. As he continues to refine his game, Emmanwori could become a defensive playmaker capable of changing the complexion of games at the highest level.
#1- Nick Emmanwori- (S) South Carolina (6'3"/225#)
Emmanwori has exceptional size-speed combination, boasting a 4.38/40 time that will turn heads at the next level. He's a versatile defender capable of playing both safety and nickel, offering valuable flexibility to NFL defensive schemes. He has elite tackling ability, consistently wrapping up ball carriers and rarely ever missing tackles in open space. Emmanwori has impressive ball skills, he made 8 PBU's and 2 INT's in his Sophomore season and 88 total tackles, 4 INT's with 2 returned for TD's and 2 PBU's this past season. He's a strong run defender who diagnoses plays quickly and takes efficient angles to the point of attack. His high football IQ is demonstrated by his ability to lead the defense and make pre-snap adjustments. Emmanwori excels in man-to-man coverage, particularly against TE's and bigger WR's. He's a durable player who started 23 out of 24 games played in his college career.
Emmanwori's zone coverage skills need a little refinement, as he can occasionally lose positioning or miss assignments. He can be overly aggressive at times, potentially leading to missed tackles or blown coverages. He may need to add functional strength to consistently shed blocks from NFL-caliber O-Linemen. Emmanwori Is still developing as a blitzer and could improve his effectiveness when sent after the QB.
Emmanwori projects as a versatile safety with the potential to make an immediate impact in the NFL. His combination of size, speed and instincts make him and intriguing prospect for teams employing multiple defensive looks. While he excels in run support and man coverage, Emmanwori will need to refine his zone coverage skills to become a complete safety at the next level.
Scheme fit will be crucial for Emmanwori's success. His skillset is best suited for defenses that utilizes their safeties in varied roles, including in-the-box run support and man coverage on TE's. Creative defensive coordinators will value his positional flexibility to match up with different types of offensive weapons.
With his physical tools, production and room for growth, Emmanwori has the potential to develop into a high impact starter in the NFL. His tackling prowess and coverage skills provide a solid foundation for a productive pro career. As he continues to refine his game, Emmanwori could become a defensive playmaker capable of changing the complexion of games at the highest level.
OP
OP
B_doggman47
Hall-of-Famer
Offline
Here is #2 on our list of top ten safeties. We watched a number of his game and read plenty of material about what type of player some team is going to get. This is the analysis we came up with Beyond Starks measurables, He has established himself as one of college football's most complete safeties during his three year career at Georgia. Starks proved himself most valuable as a tone-setter in Georgia's run defense. His combination of track speed and physical play helped him develop into one of the SEC's most reliable tacklers, rarely missing opportunities to finish plays.
#2- Malaki Starks- (S) Georgia (6'1"/205#)
Starks is an elite run defender who diagnoses plays quickly and triggers downhill with exceptional explosiveness and angles of pursuit. He's a phenomenal Tackler with a rare combination of technique and physicality, he consistently drives through contact with proper form. His outstanding strength at the point of attack against blockers, shows advanced hand usage to shed and make plays in traffic. Starks plays with controlled aggression in run support and maintains gap integrity while showing to redirect ball carriers. He has good recognition skills in zone coverage with the ability to read the QB's intentions and break on throws. His verified track speed translates to impressive range when aligned deep. Starks shows solid pant-and-drive ability against intermediate routes, particularly in match-zone concepts. He's a natural leader who commanded Georgia's backfield with consistent communication.
However, starks needs to improve on his transitional quickness when changing directions in man coverage against shifty slot receivers. He is at times a beat late recognizing route combinations in zone, particularly against multiple vertical threats. His occasional overaggressive angles in deep coverage lead to missed opportunities to make plays on the ball. Starks coverage technique from press alignment remains a work in progress, especially against quick releases. He could develop better consistency timing his breaks on throws in front of him in off coverage.
Starks enters the NFL draft as one of the most pro-ready run defenders from the safety position. His elite tackling grades and remarkable consistency against the run will translate immediately at the next level, while his coverage skills offer a solid foundation to build upon.
#2- Malaki Starks- (S) Georgia (6'1"/205#)
Starks is an elite run defender who diagnoses plays quickly and triggers downhill with exceptional explosiveness and angles of pursuit. He's a phenomenal Tackler with a rare combination of technique and physicality, he consistently drives through contact with proper form. His outstanding strength at the point of attack against blockers, shows advanced hand usage to shed and make plays in traffic. Starks plays with controlled aggression in run support and maintains gap integrity while showing to redirect ball carriers. He has good recognition skills in zone coverage with the ability to read the QB's intentions and break on throws. His verified track speed translates to impressive range when aligned deep. Starks shows solid pant-and-drive ability against intermediate routes, particularly in match-zone concepts. He's a natural leader who commanded Georgia's backfield with consistent communication.
However, starks needs to improve on his transitional quickness when changing directions in man coverage against shifty slot receivers. He is at times a beat late recognizing route combinations in zone, particularly against multiple vertical threats. His occasional overaggressive angles in deep coverage lead to missed opportunities to make plays on the ball. Starks coverage technique from press alignment remains a work in progress, especially against quick releases. He could develop better consistency timing his breaks on throws in front of him in off coverage.
Starks enters the NFL draft as one of the most pro-ready run defenders from the safety position. His elite tackling grades and remarkable consistency against the run will translate immediately at the next level, while his coverage skills offer a solid foundation to build upon.
OP
OP
B_doggman47
Hall-of-Famer
Offline
Sorry it took me so long to get back with this, but we've been winterizing the barns putting out hay and feed for the cattle to get through all this winter storm. Southwest Louisiana is not equipped for this type of weather.
OP
OP
B_doggman47
Hall-of-Famer
Offline
Here we go with our #3 ranked safety, Xavier Watts. We watched a lot of Watts' games this past season and his senior season was nothing short of spectacular. We watched him in the National Championship game and he really played well. there were a couple of plays he should have made, but other than that he lived up to his billing. Watts is one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in college football. He's a converted WR turned safety, which is a testament to his versatility and football IQ. He led the nation with 7 INT's. Watts' nose for the ball and ability to create turnovers were on full display this past season. He's a man-zone slot/nickel safety. Projected to mid-2nd round.
#3-Xavier Watts- (S) Notre Dame (6'0"/205#)
Watts has a ball-hawk mentality with exceptional instincts in coverage, leading the nation with 7 INT's in his final season. He's a versatile defender capable of playing multiple positions in the secondary, offering scheme flexibility for some teams NFL defense. He's a physical tackler who brings a linebacker's mentality to the safety position, excelling in run support and punishing receivers over the middle. Watts is a quick processor with the ability to diagnose plays rapidly, allowing him to react and make impact plays consistently. He has a strong football IQ, This was evident in his smooth transition from offense to defense and his rapid ascension to elite playmaker status. He's a clutch performer who elevates his game in big moments, as we saw in all of his games we watched, He had standout performances against top ranked opponents. Watts has solid athleticism with a 4.49/40 time, providing the speed necessary to cover ground in the deep third. He is a high character individual with a strong strong work ethic, as demonstrated by his successful position switch and rapid improvement at the safety position.
Watts has limited experience at the safety position, Having only played the position for two seasons at the collegiate level. He may need a little time to refine his technique in man coverage, particularly against polished NFL route runners. He could improve consistency in his tackling technique, as his aggressive style at times leads to missed tackles in space. Watts might struggle initially with more complex coverage schemes and disguises used in the NFL. He will need to prove he can maintain his high level of play consistently over multiple seasons at the pro level.
Watts projects as a day one starter with the versatility to fit multiple defensive schemes. His ball-hawking ability and physical play style should translate well to the NFL, where turnover creation is at a premium. While he may need a little time to refine his coverage skills against elite competition, his instincts and playmaking ability give him a high ceiling.
Scheme fit will be crucial for Watts' early success. A system that allows him to play to his strengths, as in reading the QB, playing downhill and making plays on the ball will maximize his impact. Teams running multiple safety looks or teams in need of a versatile chess piece in the secondary will likely value Watts highly.
Overall, Watts' combination of playmaking ability, physicality and rapid development curve make him an intriguing prospect with the potential to become a difference maker at the next level.
#3-Xavier Watts- (S) Notre Dame (6'0"/205#)
Watts has a ball-hawk mentality with exceptional instincts in coverage, leading the nation with 7 INT's in his final season. He's a versatile defender capable of playing multiple positions in the secondary, offering scheme flexibility for some teams NFL defense. He's a physical tackler who brings a linebacker's mentality to the safety position, excelling in run support and punishing receivers over the middle. Watts is a quick processor with the ability to diagnose plays rapidly, allowing him to react and make impact plays consistently. He has a strong football IQ, This was evident in his smooth transition from offense to defense and his rapid ascension to elite playmaker status. He's a clutch performer who elevates his game in big moments, as we saw in all of his games we watched, He had standout performances against top ranked opponents. Watts has solid athleticism with a 4.49/40 time, providing the speed necessary to cover ground in the deep third. He is a high character individual with a strong strong work ethic, as demonstrated by his successful position switch and rapid improvement at the safety position.
Watts has limited experience at the safety position, Having only played the position for two seasons at the collegiate level. He may need a little time to refine his technique in man coverage, particularly against polished NFL route runners. He could improve consistency in his tackling technique, as his aggressive style at times leads to missed tackles in space. Watts might struggle initially with more complex coverage schemes and disguises used in the NFL. He will need to prove he can maintain his high level of play consistently over multiple seasons at the pro level.
Watts projects as a day one starter with the versatility to fit multiple defensive schemes. His ball-hawking ability and physical play style should translate well to the NFL, where turnover creation is at a premium. While he may need a little time to refine his coverage skills against elite competition, his instincts and playmaking ability give him a high ceiling.
Scheme fit will be crucial for Watts' early success. A system that allows him to play to his strengths, as in reading the QB, playing downhill and making plays on the ball will maximize his impact. Teams running multiple safety looks or teams in need of a versatile chess piece in the secondary will likely value Watts highly.
Overall, Watts' combination of playmaking ability, physicality and rapid development curve make him an intriguing prospect with the potential to become a difference maker at the next level.
OP
OP
B_doggman47
Hall-of-Famer
Offline
If anyone of y'all have a safety in mind that y'all would like to add. feel free to do so. We'd like to discuss other prospects with everyone. We can do the research on whatever safety y'all would like.
AFLwhodat
Practice Squad
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2015
- Messages
- 123
- Reaction score
- 230
Offline
If we could come away with either Watts and Mukuba in the draft, I’d be ecstatic. After passing on Branch, Nubin, and Bullocks over the last few drafts, we need a safety.
Offline
Thanks for the excellent rundowns on these prospects…I cant help but feel we may grab one.
Tulsa Saint
Practice Squad
Offline
Any opinions on Xavier Nwankpa or Jaylen Reed on day 3. 6th round or so?
I think there is some value on day 3 at DB in general.
I think there is some value on day 3 at DB in general.
OP
OP
B_doggman47
Hall-of-Famer
Offline
Yes we do have an analysis on him coming later in the list. But I think this a guy I would love to have the Saints grab and groom for the future. He has all the tools to at least be start out as very good depth until he refines his techniques.
DSnfla
ALL-MADDEN TEAM
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2005
- Messages
- 7,431
- Reaction score
- 9,340
Online
For me it was ILB and TE in HS, but I was on the small size. Coach used to say "I could knock a hole in a brick wall , but it would be a small hole"
DSnfla
ALL-MADDEN TEAM
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2005
- Messages
- 7,431
- Reaction score
- 9,340
Online
I'd like Mukuba in the late 3rd depending on who's available . That kid is fast
Jesse Custer
Ill-tempered Texan
Offline
Probably the fastest safety in the draft. What's scary is Emmanwori isn't far behind him despite being LB-sized.
Create an account or login to comment
You must be a member in order to leave a comment
Create account
Create an account on our community. It's easy!
Log in
Already have an account? Log in here.