Cole’s Corner: 2022 Safety Prospect Rankings

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10. Dane Belton – Iowa     

Belton has adequate size and athleticism for the safety position in the NFL. He is not afraid to get involved in against the run and even headed downhill as a blitzer. Belton is a safety full of big hits and interceptions. He is not athletic enough to cover large ground as a deep safety but could fit well in nickel packages with three safeties.

Player Comparison: Sheldrick Redwine

Projection: 4^th – 5^th Round

Best Fits: Denver, New York Giants, Minnesota (Wild Card – Indianapolis)

9. Kerby Joseph – Illinois

Joseph was a huge riser up team’s draft boards this offseason. He makes a ton of impact plays and is fairly rangy. At times he is like a ball magnet as his instincts take him towards the flight of the ball. He has plenty of potential, but Joseph is not an overwhelming athlete. Joseph could play right away or be valuable depth at safety.

Player Comparison: Andre Cisco

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: New England, Indianapolis, Detroit (Wild Card – Cincinnati) 

8. Bryan Cook – Cincinnati

Cook is an excellent safety in pursuit and makes a bunch of tackles. He is versatile and can do it all but does best when coming forward with a head of steam. Cook is athletic enough to stay tight in coverage but truly plays like a zone safety. He does lack some anticipation skills which limits his interception numbers.

Player Comparison: Nasir Adderley

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Jacksonville, Philadelphia, New York Giants (Wild Card – Cincinnati)

7. Verone McKinley III – Oregon

McKinley is a tip drill specialist, coming away with a bunch of interceptions off of tipped passes. His ball production is outstanding overall, coupled with strong instincts, quickness and excellent coverage skills. As a tackler, McKinley struggles with wrapping up especially against bigger running backs. He lacks the range to be a single high safety but will fit well as a free safety next to a physical strong safety.

Player Comparison: Damarius Randall

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Minnesota (Wild Card – Detroit)

6. Nick Cross – Maryland

Cross is a bigger, sturdy safety. He is athletic in space and solid on the pursuit, plus he can even push up into the box like a linebacker. At times he can over anticipate and get pulled out of position, plus the fundamentals in coverage can still improve. Cross will make an early impact due to his hit power and nose for the football.

Player Comparison: Ronnie Harrison Jr.

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Minnesota, Indianapolis, Jacksonville (Wild Card – Houston)

5. Jalen Pitre – Baylor       

Pitre is a solid run defender as a strong safety and likes to get downhill with speed. He has power when he makes the hit, but his instincts help him initially dissect the play. As for ball production, that has been limited during his time at Baylor.

Player Comparison: Johnathan Abram

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Detroit, Jacksonville, New England (Wild Card – Indianapolis)

4. Daxton Hill – Michigan

Hill is a productive safety in coverage. He plays fast and is also dangerous on the blitz. Hill’s range is impressive and his versatility will serve him well. He is a smaller safety that sometimes struggles with flipping the hips quickly. Hill can either play FS or at nickel.

Player Comparison: Devin McCourty

Projection: 1^st – 2^nd Round

Best Fits: Philadelphia, Houston, Detroit (Wild Card – New England)

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