Welcome to draft season! This is the seventh of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (Thursday-Saturday). Here are my top 10 safeties:
— 1. Kyle Hamilton (Jr., Notre Dame, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds)
Hamilton earned All-American honors all three seasons in South Bend. He is a hybrid playmaker who combines the versatility of Isaiah Simmons with instincts that are reminiscent of Hall of Famer Ed Reed. Those who pick nits with his 40-yard dash times are digging really deep for criticism. Projected: Top 10
— 2. Daxton Hill (Jr., Michigan, 6-0, 191)
Hill was a top-15 recruit overall in the 2019 recruiting class. He features a mix of athleticism, intelligence and instincts that will enable him to play every position in the defensive backfield. He will need to tamp down his tendency to gamble, but that's part of being a playmaker sometimes. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 3. Jaquan Brisker (Sr., Penn State, 6-1, 206)
Brisker is a polished, physical tone-setter who was used primarily to attack the line of scrimmage, but features the athleticism to also wreak havoc in center field. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 4. Nick Cross (Jr., Maryland, 6-0, 212)
Cross was an enforcer in the middle of the Terrapins' defense. He's a gambler, but his explosive athleticism/speed usually bails him out when he guesses wrong. Cross is scheme-versatile, so defensive coordinators can get creative with him. He'll be a core special teamer on day one. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 5. Jalen Pitre (Sr., Baylor, 5-11, 198)
Pitre will be an immediate asset on special teams, but he's flashed in coverage, against the run and as a pass rusher. He was the only FBS player with at least three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, three sacks and two interceptions in 2021. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 6. Lewis Cine (Jr., Georgia, 6-2, 199)
Cine is a thumper who punishes running backs, and has the athleticism to make a difference in coverage, but his ball skills could use some polish. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 7. Kerby Joseph (Sr., Illinois, 6-1, 203)
Joseph is a ballhawk with the ball skills of a wide receiver — one of a dozen FBS players with at least five interceptions in 2021. Only a one-year starter for the Fighting Illini, so there's still room for further development, but he'll offer value as an ace gunner on special teams right away. Projected: Rounds 3-4
— 8. Bryan Cook (Sr., Cincinnati, 6-0, 206)
Cook is an excellent tackler who was one of only four FBS defensive backs to finish with at least 95 tackles and 10 passes defended in 2021. Projected: Rounds 3-4
— 9. JT Woods (Sr., Baylor, 6-2, 195)
Woods features sprinter speed that translates to the gridiron. He's an inconsistent tackler, but a dynamic playmaker in coverage and magic happens when he gets the ball in his hands. He produced nine interceptions the last two seasons — six as a senior, including a pick-six and a 97-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. He averaged 22.3 yards per interception and even made one in the Senior Bowl. Projected: Rounds 3-5
— 10. Verone McKinley III (Jr., Oregon, 5-10, 192)
McKinley is a ballhawk (11 career interceptions) who shows good instincts against the run too, but he lacks ideal size and there's some sloppiness in his game that needs to be cleaned up. Projected: Rounds 4-5
— BONUS. Alontae Taylor (Sr., Tennessee, 6-0, 199)
Taylor was a top-25 wide receiver in the 2018 recruiting class. He started for the Volunteers as a true freshman after switching to cornerback. His athletic skillset and physicality translates to every defensive backfield position, but it's fair to consider him a work-in-progress. Projected: Rounds 3-5
— BONUS. Smoke Monday (Sr., Auburn, 6-1, 207)
There's a lot of work to do with Monday's technique, both in coverage and tackling, but he's a legit playmaker. He has returned an interception for a touchdown in three straight seasons and he blocked a punt against Alabama as a true freshman. Projected: Rounds 4-7
— BONUS. Tycen Anderson (Sr., Toledo, 6-1, 209)
Anderson is an elite athlete who will be drafted as a special teams ace, with the potential to develop into a hybrid defender who can be utilized primarily in the slot. He's dripping intangibles. Projected: Rounds 4-7
