Ranking the 2022 NFL Draft's top 30 safeties

Four first-round safeties

Two weeks ago, I broke down my initial list for the top 30 cornerbacks eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft. However, that’s not the only position in the defensive backfield with plenty of elite talent in this coming cycle. There are at least four safeties with first-round potential and nearly a dozen more that could go in the top 100 selections. Let’s take a look at how the safety class stacks up several weeks into the college season.

I’ve already found three new cornerbacks that could qualify for the top 30 since that article came out, so please understand this ranking is a draft I intend to build on as the year continues. These are fluid rankings that can change week-to-week. Also, the tier a prospect appears in is more important than his number ranking.

All of the players that appear below are draft-eligible, but some may return to college and wait until future drafts.

I’m only one person and can’t watch every game. Reach out to me @Sam_Teets33 on Twitter or leave a comment at the bottom of this post if I’ve overlooked anyone that you believe deserves a spot in my top 30.

Tier 1- Generational Prospect

1. Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame

Hamilton is the best player in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s also the most physically unique player for his position, standing 6' 4" and weighing 220 lbs. Hamilton’s normal tape looks like a highlight reel. He moves incredibly well for a player with his build and has elite ball production.

In 850 coverage snaps throughout his college career, Hamilton has only allowed 359 yards and one touchdown. He has 17 passes defensed and eight interceptions. The junior is a unicorn similar to Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, but he should make a more immediate impact in the NFL.

Tier 2- 1st Round-Caliber

2. Jaquan Brisker, S Penn St.

Brisker barely holds off Jordan Battle to claim the second spot here among draft-eligible safeties. The senior has a drastically different build than Hamilton (6' 1", 200 lbs.), but he’s also an X-factor and a big play waiting to happen. Brisker has 11 passes defensed and five interceptions since the start of 2019.

Brisker has allowed 284 yards in 740 coverage snaps and no touchdowns, but he’s faced over 30 fewer targets than Hamilton.

3. Jordan Battle, S Alabama

Battle is coming off a career night against Mississippi St. During the SEC showdown, Battle recorded seven tackles, a broken up pass, two interceptions, and a touchdown. The 6' 1", 210 lb. junior is inches behind Brisker in the race for the top safety spot behind Hamilton.

Battle has over 1,000 snaps in coverage. He’s only allowed 306 yards and two touchdowns during that time. Battle has seven career passes defensed and four interceptions.

4. Daxton Hill, S/CB Michigan

Michigan is deploying Hill primarily from the slot this season, but he’s a better safety than cornerback prospect. Despite being 6' 0" and weighing 192 lbs., Hill is one of the draft’s most versatile players. However, I could see him slipping depending on what teams are looking for. He’s not as physically scheme transcendent as the other safeties mentioned above.

Hill has 11 passes defensed and four interceptions in his career. He’s allowed 628 yards and two touchdowns in just over 560 coverage snaps while facing significantly more targets than Battle or Brisker.

Tier 3- Remaining Top 100 Prospects

5. Brandon Joseph, S Northwestern

Joseph was dominant during his redshirt freshman season, intercepting six passes and only allowing 50 yards in 362 coverage snaps. He’s already allowed 173 yards in 219 coverage snaps this season, marking one of the most significant drops in production from 2020. Joseph has two passes defensed and an interception this season.

6. Tykee Smith, S Georgia

Smith only recently made his 2021 debut for Georgia after missing significant time with an injury. He hasn’t played enough to comment on his performance this season, but Smith was dominant with West Virginia in 2020. The junior recorded four interceptions and nine passes defensed during his two seasons with the Mountaineers.

7. Jalen Catalon, S Arkansas

Catalon’s college career is a mixed bag. He was one of the best tackling safeties last season, amassing 99 on over 700 snaps. However, he allowed five touchdowns in coverage. Things flipped this year as Catalon is struggling to finish tackles but has terrific coverage numbers. He’s allowed 59 yards and zero touchdowns in 194 coverage snaps.

Catalon has five interceptions and eight passes defensed over the past two years.

8. Lewis Cine, S Georgia

The Bulldogs are loaded on defense. Three Georgia safeties cracked the top 20, and Cine is the most productive of them this season. The junior is one of the better coverage safeties, having allowed 400 yards and one touchdown in 711 career coverage snaps. Cine has five passes defensed and an interception this year.

At 6' 1", 200 lbs., Cine is one of the draft’s most well-rounded defensive backs. He’s a reliable tackler and has a strong resume in coverage.

Tier 4- Fighting for Room in the Third Round

9. Nick Cross, S Maryland

Cross isn’t the only Maryland product that’s slipped under the radar this season. The 6' 1", 210 lb. defensive back hasn’t faced too many challenges in coverage, but he has solid ball production with five passes defensed and two interceptions this year.

10. Jalen Pitre, S Baylor

Pitre is in his fifth season with the Bears. The 6' 0", 197 lbs. safety fills almost every role for Baylor. He’ll line up along the defensive line, in the slot, or the box but rarely at free safety. Pitre has been excellent in coverage over the past two seasons, only allowing 8.2 yards per reception and 33 receptions on 55 targets.

Despite his size, Pitre is excellent against the run.

11. Demani Richardson, S Texas A&M

Richardson could fall out of the third round largely because of his struggles in coverage compared to other top safety prospects. He’s allowing over 15 yards per reception this season.

12. Xavier Henderson, S Michigan St.

Henderson spends a larger percentage of his time in the box than almost any safety we’ve discussed so far. The 6' 1", 210 lb. senior is a prolific tackler that’s allowing under 7.5 yards per reception since significantly increasing his time near the line in 2020.

13. Verone McKinley III, S Oregon

McKinley has cooled off after a hot start to the season, but the fourth-year sophomore is still in the conversation for a top 100 pick. He’s undersized at 5' 11", 194 lbs., but he has two passes defensed and four interceptions this season. 

Tier 5- Early Day 3 Prospects

14. Markquese Bell, S Florida A&M

Bell was a dominant force in 2019, intercepting five passes and breaking up nine more. However, his ball production has vanished this season, and he has under 300 total coverage snaps with the Rattlers. Bell’s 6' 3", 205 lb. frame adds another layer to his evaluation.

15. Avery Young, S/CB Rutgers

Young played cornerback during his first three seasons with the Scarlet Knights before transitioning to safety. The move dealt a blow to Young’s stock. He’s still a good tackler and strong run stopper at 6' 1", 205 lbs., but his role in the NFL remains in question.

16. Christopher Smith, S Georgia

Christopher Smith saw significant snaps early this season for Georgia as Tykee Smith dealt with injuries. Christopher will see fewer opportunities since the West Virginia transfer is back to full health. However, the senior only allowed six yards per reception and intercepted two passes, taking full advantage of his short-term expanded role.

17. Jalen Green, S Mississippi St.

Green played cornerback for the Texas Longhorns for three years before transferring to Mississippi St. and becoming a safety. He spends most of his time in the slot and is allowing a completion percentage below 40%. 

18. Smoke Monday, S Auburn

Besides having the best name among all 2022 safeties, Monday possesses a 6' 3", 199 lb. frame. He projects best as a box safety in the NFL, considering the high completion percentage and number of touchdowns he allows when targeted.

19. Ja'Von Hicks, S Cincinnati

Hicks is a three-year starter with experience as a deep safety and slot defender. The 6' 2", 205 lb. senior has allowed just under 190 receiving yards in over 330 coverage snaps since the start of 2020. Hicks intercepted five passes in 2019 but also allowed five touchdowns.

20. Josh Proctor, S Ohio St.

Proctor suffered a season-ending leg injury against Oregon, which means he’ll likely return to school in 2022. Fans and analysts billed the 6' 2", 195 lb. fourth-year player as the next great Ohio St. safety.

21. Bubba Bolden, S Miami

At 6' 3", 204 lbs., Bolden possesses enticing size for a safety. Unfortunately, 2020 is his only season with over 400 snaps, and 2021 isn’t going so well for the USC transfer. Bolden consistently struggles with coverage assignments.

22. Tre Sterling, S Oklahoma St.

Sterling underwent season-ending surgery on his wrist early in the 2021 season, leaving him with only two games as a senior. The 5' 11", 205 lb. safety primarily played in the box during his two campaigns as a starter.

Tier 6- Filling out Day 3

23. Delarrin Turner-Yell, S Oklahoma

Oklahoma used Turner-Yell primarily in the slot in 2019, but he’s transitioned to the box since then. The senior doesn’t see many targets, but he’s a reliable tackler and an improving downhill defender.

24. Teja Young, S FAU

Young hasn’t allowed a touchdown this season and has four interceptions over the past two years. The 5' 11", 192 lb. safety is close to playing most of his snaps in the slot.

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

O'Neal is closing in on 1,000 collegiate coverage snaps. He’s having one of the most productive seasons of his career, recording 32 tackles, a sack, five passes defensed, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown.

26. Trey Dean III, S Florida

Dean began his college career as a cornerback before moving to the slot and then to safety in 2020. The senior stands 6' 3" and weighs 206 lbs. He’s spent plenty of time in the box over the past two seasons.

27. Kolby Harvell-Peel, S Oklahoma St.

Harvell-Peel brings an interesting blend of production and size to the table. He’s 6' 0", weighs 207 lbs., and is allowing eight yards per reception this season. Harvell-Peel hasn’t allowed a touchdown in 2021 and has 18 passes defensed and nine interceptions dating back to 2019.

28. Isaiah Pola-Mao, S USC

Pola-Mao is 6' 4" and weighs 205 lbs. The senior is spending most of his time as a box safety this season, which isn’t helping his coverage numbers. He’s allowed seven touchdowns since the start of 2020.

29. Reed Blankenship, S Middle Tennessee

Blankenship was a hot commodity entering 2020, but his production fell off a cliff as he allowed nearly 350 yards in coverage. The fifth-year safety hasn’t intercepted a pass since 2019.

30. Bralen Trahan, S Louisiana

Trahan is a 6' 0", 191 lb. fifth-year player for the Ragin' Cajuns. He had four interceptions and nine passes defensed in 2020 but hasn’t forced a turnover this year.

31. Qwuantrezz Knight, S UCLA

Knight was part of the 2016 recruiting class, making him one of the oldest prospects in the draft. He has no interceptions and only six passes defensed in six collegiate seasons with three different programs.