2025 NFL Draft: Scouting the Safeties

Smart, physical, and unpredictable — great safeties change everything.

The 2025 safety class doesn’t just patrol the back end — they crash downhill, cover tight ends, and make quarterbacks second-guess their reads. Some are pure center fielders. Others are box enforcers with range and attitude.

We’ve broken down the top safeties in this draft, looking at versatility, football IQ, and who can actually hold up in today’s spread-heavy league.

Hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss a single breakdown — we’re scouting every position, and this series isn’t slowing down.

---

1. Nick Emmanwori – South Carolina

Grade: 1st Round

Nick Emmanwori’s exceptional athleticism, highlighted by a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, sets him apart as a safety. His playmaking ability shines in the box and in coverage, where he uses his quick reactions and physicality to disrupt the passing game. Emmanwori is a natural ball hawk, having returned multiple interceptions for touchdowns in 2024. His leadership and competitiveness, fostered by a family of athletes, make him an integral part of his team’s defense. His physicality in the run game and blitzing ability further enhance his skill set. However, his aggressive playstyle sometimes leads to missed tackles and penalties, and his anticipation as a deep safety can be inconsistent. Despite these weaknesses, his blend of speed, size, and football IQ makes him an exciting prospect with a high NFL ceiling.

---

2. Malaki Starks – Georgia

Grade: 1st-2nd Round

Malaki Starks is an athletic, versatile safety known for his ability to cover large areas of the field. His fluid movements allow him to excel in both coverage and run defense, making him a key contributor in Georgia’s secondary. Starks is an excellent tackler in the open field, and his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes leads to impressive ball skills, including a strong ability to intercept passes. He is particularly effective in zone coverage, although his man-to-man skills could use improvement. Over-aggressiveness in certain situations can result in missed assignments. Nevertheless, Starks has been a reliable and impactful starter for Georgia, and his combination of physical tools and football intelligence positions him as a potential starter at the next level.

---

3. Xavier Watts – Notre Dame

Grade: 2nd Round

Xavier Watts stands out with his ball skills, collecting 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. His ability to anticipate plays and jump routes allows him to be a constant threat in coverage. Watts is a smart, competitive player who reads offenses well, making him a strong contributor in zone coverage. However, his physical traits are average, with speed and explosiveness not being his defining features, and his lack of strength can lead to issues with tackles. Despite this, his ball-hawking abilities, football IQ, and leadership skills make him a strong candidate to start in the NFL, particularly in a system that values his unique ability to make plays on the ball.