Ranking the 2022 NFL Draft's top 20 safeties

The 2022 safety class features five players capable of going in the top 50 selections

The 2022 NFL Draft had the chance to have a special safety class before Jordan Battle, Jalen Catalon, and Brandon Joseph returned to school. Even with those three prospects withdrawing, this year’s safety class boats multiple candidates for first-round picks and five players with top-50 value. Expect rookie safeties to shine in secondaries across the league in 2022.

I ranked 20 safeties in this article, but this deep class could produce 24 or 25 prospects worth drafting. Expect the undrafted free agent safety market to move quickly once the draft finishes. If not for a loaded edge class, this safety group would have some claim to being the draft’s best positional class.

Feel free to tell me in the comments or on Twitter @Sam_Teets33 if you believe a certain prospect should rank higher. Let me know if I missed anyone.

*All player measurements come from NFL.com unless otherwise specified

*Editor’s note: Some statistics displayed count in multiple categories, all counting stats come from Sports Reference

Tier 1- Top 15 Pick

1. Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame

Size: 6'4", 220 lbs. with 33" arms

Pros: Rangy height/weight/speed option at safety with ideal length, only one touchdown allowed in college, improved as a tackler each year, size to play in the box, coverage skills to erase tight ends, range to play single high, will punish receivers over the middle, consistent ball production, scheme versatility, won’t turn 22 until next March

Cons: Never played more than 600 defensive snaps in a season, four penalties committed in 2020 and 2021, change of direction will limit slot capabilities, athletic testing doesn’t match eye test, some hip tightness

Production: 34 tackles, four passes defensed, and three interceptions in seven games in 2021

Production: 41 tackles, six passes defensed, and four interceptions in 2019

Tier 2- Potential First Rounders

2. Daxton Hill, S Michigan

Size: 6'0", 192 lbs. with 32 1/4" arms

Pros: Primarily played slot corner in college, ball production ramped up each year, only four career penalties, twitchy athlete capable of playing man coverage, offers upside as a blitzer, explosive athlete with elite closing speed and range, positional versatility, loose feet and hips, anticipates route development, asset in pursuit, backpedal is low and smooth

Cons: Trouble getting off blocks, fairly small frame, strong ball carriers will knock him backward, will struggle to out-physical plays in coverage, ten missed tackles in 2021

Production: 69 tackles, eight passes defensed, and two interceptions in 2021

3. Lewis Cine, S Georgia

Size: 6'1", 200 lbs. with 32 1/4" arms

Pros: Jarring hitter, elite closing speed, could have Kam Chancellor level hits in the NFL, rarely misses tackles, only one penalty in 2021, excellent trigger skills and closing burst, flies around the field with potential sideline-to-sideline speed, linear missile, knocks the ball free at the catch point

Cons: Only one year with more than five interceptions or passes defensed, smaller build for an enforcer, no production as a pass rusher, uninspiring agility and fluidity in man coverage

Production: 73 tackles, nine passes defensed, and one interception in 2021

Tier 3- Top 50 Selections

4. Jalen Pitre, S Baylor

Size: 6'0", 197 lbs. with 30 5/8" arms

Pros: Ball production took off over the past two seasons, former linebacker, consistent production as a blitzer, never allowed a touchdown in coverage, primarily played in the slot, shows his linebacker background in physicality, great in run support, special teams ace, over ten tackles for loss in 2020 and 2021

Cons: Slower 40-time for his size, arm length, over ten missed tackles in 2020 and 2021, not as fluid in coverage as higher ranked safety prospects, lacks sideline-to-sideline range, triggers downhill but comes in out of control

Production: 75 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, two interceptions, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 2021

5. Jaquan Brisker, S Penn St.

Size: 6'1", 200 lbs. with 31 3/4" arms

Pros: No penalties in 2020 or 2021, only one touchdown allowed in college, ball production remained consistent each year, discards blockers, capable of avoiding blockers, quick to trigger downhill, effective as a box safety, X-factor with instincts in big moments

Cons: Not effective as a pass rusher, tackling was near perfect in 2020 but took a hit this past season, comes in without control on some tackle tries, lacks agility to play man coverage, not an explosive athlete, eyes in the backfield sometimes leads to a lack of awareness elsewhere

Production: 63 tackles, six tackles for loss, five passes defensed, and two interceptions in 2021

Tier 4- Third Round Picks

6. Kerby Joseph, S Illinois

Size: 6'1", 200 lbs. with 33" arms

Pros: Elite ball production in 2021, ideal arm length, ball hawk, excellent ball skills, one penalty committed in 2021, sideline-to-sideline speed, loose hips that swivel effortlessly, special teams experience, comes downhill under control and ready to make plays against the run

Cons: One year of production, allowed five touchdowns on roughly 1,000 snaps over the past three years, pure deep safety with minimal experience in the slot/box or as a blitzer, play strength, gets washed away by blockers, processing speed is a tick slow because of inexperience

Production: 57 tackles, two passes defensed, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries in 2021

7. Nick Cross, S Maryland

Size: 6'1", 215 lbs. with 31 1/2" arms

Pros: Turns 21 in September, elite linear speed as shown by 4.34 40-time, makes plays outside the hashes once he opens his hips, explosive trigger coming downhill, possesses NFL muscle, explodes into ball carriers, has potential to cover tight ends

Cons: Allowed three touchdowns in 2020 and four in 2021, minimal experience in the slot, 14 missed tackles in 2021, lacks agility to plan man coverage against receivers, not the most fluid athlete, quarterbacks can draw him out of his assignment, inconsistent reaction speed and aggression

Production: 66 tackles, two passes defensed, three interceptions, three sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2021

8. Bryan Cook, S Cincinnati

Size: 6'1", 210 lbs. with 31 7/8" arms

Pros: Introduced to multiple roles and alignments, excellent tackler, rarely penalized, enforcer in the secondary, converted cornerback, triggers downhill and explodes into ball carriers, capable of stopping the run from the box or deep alignments

Cons: Turns 23 in September, one year of high-end ball production, concerns about speed and agility, feet get stuck in the ground occasionally, takes eye candy sometimes, unsure if he possesses the range to play deep

Production: 96 tackles, five tackles for loss, nine passes defensed, and two interceptions in 2021

Tier 5- Fourth Round Picks

9. Tycen Anderson, S Toledo

Size: 6'2", 210 lbs. with 33" arms

Pros: Primarily played in the slot at Toledo, never had double-digit missed tackles, ideal size and length, special teams coverage experience, fluid athlete, potential sideline-to-sideline range, offers some upside covering tight ends, triggers and tracks running backs well

Cons: Only career interceptions came in 2017 and 2018, turns 23 in June, rare blitz opportunities, allowed two touchdowns in 2021 and committed three penalties, angles need to improve as a run defender, leaves turnover opportunities on the field, doesn’t track the football well

Production: 44 tackles, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble in 2021

10. JT Woods, S Baylor

Size: 6'2", 193 lbs. with 32 3/8" arms

Pros: Two years of ball production, track speed that translates to the field, two penalties in college career, one touchdown allowed in 2021, experience playing deep, box, and slot roles, fluid athlete who flies around freely, recovery and closing speed

Cons: Hopefully will play closer to 200 lbs., 14 missed tackles in 2021, indecisive when identifying plays, doesn’t consistently carry momentum into tackles, awareness as a deep defender wavers

Production: 57 tackles, two passes defensed, five interceptions, one fumble recovery, and two touchdowns in 2021

Tier 6- Fifth Round Picks

11. Dane Belton, S Iowa

Size: 6'1", 205 lbs. with 31" arms

Pros: Zero penalties in 2021, played most of his college career in the slot, physicality to disrupt receivers at the catch point, terrific understanding of zone and working as a unit, has agilities to cover tight ends and big slots

Cons: One year with ball production, limited experience as a blitzer, missed more than 14% of his tackle attempts each year, allowed five touchdowns in 2021, struggles carrying receivers downfield, not twitchy or very explosive, gets jammed on blocks, becomes lost in space away from the line of scrimmage

Production: 46 tackles, seven passes defensed, and five interceptions in 2021

12. Smoke Monday, S Auburn

Size: 6'3", 199 lbs. with 32 1/2" arms

Pros: Scored a defensive touchdown in each of the past three seasons, some experience and success as a blitzer, special teams coverage experience, plays in the box with linebacker mentality, challenges and discards blocks, turns running backs inside on outside runs, enough agility to stick with some tight ends

Cons: Never had elite ball production, double-digit missed tackles in 2020 and 2021, two touchdowns allowed each season, three penalties in 2020 and six in 2021, low weight for a 6'3" safety, still learning how to read the QB and anticipate routes, takes eye candy, tight hips lead to poor transitions, needs to wrap up ball carriers more often

Production: 63 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five passes defensed, and one interception in 2021

13. Markquese Bell, S Florida A&M

Size: 6'3", 205 lbs. with 32 3/8" arms

Pros: Sideline-to-sideline range from the box, elite linear speed, accelerates into contact, startling closing speed, one of the biggest hitters in this class, consistently found the football, stays square to the ball carrier, knifes between blockers and fellow defenders to the ball

Cons: Former four-star recruit suspended from Maryland, linebacker level 4.46 20-yard shuttle, competition level, stiffness likely eliminates his role in the slot, change of direction concerns, 13 missed tackles in 2021, inconsistent ball production, turns 24 in January, likely just a box safety or safety/linebacker hybrid

Production: 95 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one pass defensed, one interception, two sacks, and five forced fumbles in 2021

Production: 61 tackles, five tackles for loss, nine passes defensed, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 2019

14. Verone McKinley III, S Oregon

Size: 5'11", 194 lbs. with 30 5/8" arms

Pros: Two seasons with four or more interceptions, experience in center field, slot, and box roles, ball skills, willing to come downhill and make a hit, times hits to dislodge potential catches, smooth lower body agility, understands leverage and angles

Cons: Undersized, arm length, limited pass rush experience, 12 missed tackles in 2019 and 17 in 2020, five touchdowns allowed in past three years, washed away by blockers, 4.65 40-time at his size, 7.12-second three-cone, lacks sideline-to-sideline range

Production: 77 tackles, six passes defensed, and six interceptions in 2021

15. Leon O'Neal Jr., S Texas A&M

Size: 6'1", 210 lbs. with 31 5/8" arms

Pros: Already has an NFL build, coming off his best year in coverage, triggers downhill as a plus run defender, significant experience in the box, special teams coverage experience

Cons: Ran a 4.7 40-time at his pro day, turns 24 in December, double-digit missed tackles in each of the past three years, five touchdowns allowed in 2020, eight penalties in the past two years, minimal experience as a blitzer, not a fluid athlete, lacks the speed and agility to play in the slot, penalties stack up as he grabs faster players who fly by

Production: 58 tackles, five passes defensed, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown in 2021

Tier 7- Sixth or Seventh Round Picks

16. Percy Butler, S Louisiana

Size: 6'0", 191 lbs. with 31 5/8" arms

Pros: Only allowed one touchdown in college, rarely commits penalties (only five in his career), 4.36 40-time that shows up on the field, special teams ace, runs the alley to meet running backs, attacks the ball at the catch point, some big time hits

Cons: Smaller frame, 13 missed tackles in 2021, minimal blitz opportunities, never had elite ball production, footwork, uncontrolled tackle attempts,

Production: 60 tackles, six tackles for loss, four passes defensed, one interception, and three fumble recoveries in 2021

Production: 44 tackles, six passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 2020

17. Delarrin Turner-Yell, S Oklahoma

Size: 5'11", 200 lbs. with 31 3/4" arms

Pros: Bulk to compete with NFL talent as a tackler, loose lower body, triggering downhill and running the alley are some of his better traits, one penalty over the past two years, strong combination of playmaking in the running game and reading the quarterback as a deep safety

Cons: Undersized, missed time each year with injuries, turns 23 in December, no production as a blitzer, double-digit missed tackles in 2019 and 2021, limited ball production outside of three interceptions in 2021, lacks size and mirroring ability to cover tight ends or receivers in man

Production: 53 tackles, one pass defensed, and three interceptions in 2021

18. Yusuf Corker, S Kentucky

Size: 6'0", 197 lbs. with 31" arms

Pros: Triggers downhill with urgency, loves contact, contributor on special teams coverage units, can bait quarterbacks into throws, good closing speed into contact

Cons: Lacks elite pass production, no blitzing experience, double-digit missed tackles in 2020 and 2021, six touchdowns allowed over the past three seasons, three penalties in 2021, will turn 24 in December, smallish build, not a fluid athlete, hip tightness and heavy feet make him a liability in man coverage, lackluster change of direction

Production: 82 tackles, eight passes defensed, and one sack in 2021

Production: 77 tackles, two passes defensed, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 2020

19. Juanyeh Thomas, S Georgia Tech

Size: 6'3", 217 lbs. with 32 3/8" arms

Pros: Ball production improved each season, intriguing height/weight combination, special teams coverage experience, kick returner in 2018 and 2019, clean transitions show little stiffness, good motor in pursuit

Cons: Allowed four touchdowns in 2020 and 2021, committed three penalties in 2021, 13 missed tackles in 2021, almost never used as a pass rusher, not explosive, lacks sideline-to-sideline range, gets left behind in man coverages, gets stuck on blockers

Production: 76 tackles, five tackles for loss, five passes defensed, one interception, and two forced fumbles in 2021

20. Sterling Weatherford, S Miami (OH)

Size: 6'3 5/8", 230 lbs. with 31 3/8" arms (Senior Bowl)

Pros: Enforcer over the middle, special teams experience, can continue adding muscle, knocks back smaller blockers, aggressive defender constantly moving someone, good linear acceleration, solid showing against Cincinnati (2021)

Cons: Agility concerns, tweener that doesn’t fit safety or linebacker well, allowed multiple touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, missed 20 tackles in 2019 and 12 tackles in 2021, will turn 24 in January, not explosive or twitchy, limited range, projects purely as a box safety or safety/linebacker hybrid

Production: 66 tackles, four passes defensed, and two interceptions in 2021

Production: 98 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, ten passes defensed, one interception, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 2019

Honorable Mentions

Will Adams, S Virginia St.

Reed Blankenship, S Middle Tennessee

Bubba Bolden, S Miami

Tariq Carpenter, S Georgia Tech

Qwynnterrio Cole, S Louisville

Nick Grant, S Virginia

Kolby Harvell-Peel, S Oklahoma St.

Brad Hawkins, S Michigan

Elijah Hicks, S Cal

Qwuantrezz Knight, S UCLA

Quentin Lake, S UCLA

Isaiah Pola-Mao, S USC

Tre Sterling, S Oklahoma St.

Nolan Turner, S Clemson

Russ Yeast, S Kansas St.