PFF ranks college football's Top 10 safety candidates for the 2023 NFL Draft

After three safeties were selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus is looking ahead to next year’s crop.

According to the PFF analyst, there’s a bevy of options to go in the first round. Here’s who Renner ranked as the current Top 10 safety candidates for the 2023 NFL Draft.

2023 NFL Draft: Top 10 safeties, per Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus:

1) Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M Aggies

Leading the way for the Pro Football Focus expert is Johnson, who he expects to fly up draft boards next season.

“Johnson is just your run-of-the-mill 6-foot-3, 200-pound slot cornerback in Texas A&M’s defense,” wrote Renner. “His massive wingspan shows up in his ability to take on blocks and bring down ball carriers.

.. He’ll be playing more traditional safety this upcoming season, which should only serve to bolster his draft stock. Whenever he declares, Johnson should be a scheme fit for every team with the number of different hats that exist in an NFL defense.”

2) Brian Branch, Alabama Crimson Tide

Part of a stifling Crimson Tide secondary, Renner was more than impressed when he flipped on the tape of the Alabama defensive back — believing NFL teams will be, as well.

“Branch may not be the most imposing physical presence coming off the bus at only 6-foot and 190 pounds, but you’ll sing a different tune after you flip on his tape,” theorized Renner. “He plays with an undeniable chip on his shoulder and won’t even think about throttling down into contact.”

3) Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

After transferring from Northwestern to Notre Dame, Renner thinks Joseph can fill that Kyle Hamilton-sized void in the Fighting Irish defense.

“Joseph is arguably the top pure cover safety in the draft class,” declared the PFF analyst. “He has that uncoachable knack for finding himself in the right position at the right time to get his hands on the football.

4) Jordan Battle, Alabama Crimson Tide

While Renner believes Battle could’ve been an early Day 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he theorized that the Crimson Tide star could improve his draft stock looking ahead to next April.

“Battle was a surprise to return to the Crimson Tide after a career year in 2021 put him firmly in the early Day 2 conversation at the position,” said Renner. “He earned an 88.0 overall grade in his third season of playing time and second as a full-time starter.

“Battle has a versatile body type at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds and is rarely caught out of position.”

5) Jalen Catalon, Arkansas Razorbacks

Tested by the best of the SEC, Catalon’s speed caught the eye of the PFF analyst.

“When Catalon has a bead on what opposing offenses are trying to do, all of a sudden it looks like someone hit fast forward on the game tape,” an impressed Renner wrote. “His quicks are truly on another level from the rest of this safety class.

“And they have to be, to a degree, for him to get by at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds.”

6) R.J. Moten, Michigan Wolverines

How can someone Moten’s size move the way he does? That’s the burning question in Renner’s mind when he turns on the Michigan star’s tape.

“Moten is one big boy who sneaks up on you with how physical he can be. You would never guess from watching him nimbly navigate through coverage assignments that he’s a hefty 6-foot, 221 pounds,” stated Renner. “The fluidity he plays with at that size is really a sight to behold.

“That’s some throwback safety size, bigger than even a lot of starting NFL linebackers.”

7) JL Skinner, Boise State Broncos

While Skinner is playing in a less competitive conference, the intangibles are there in the mind of Renner.

“The enforcer on this list, Skinner is 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds — and he plays like it,” explained Renner. “His ability to stick a running back in their tracks is exactly what you want from a box safety. It stuck out like a sore thumb given his competition level.”

8) Tykee Smith, Georgia Bulldogs

After transferring to Georgia from West Virginia last season, Renner expects Smith to play a much bigger role in 2022.

“Smith is one of the most instinctive prospects on this list and plays the game with no fear despite his size (5-foot-10, 198 pounds),” wrote Renner. “In his last full season at West Virginia, he earned an 89.7 coverage grade and allowed only 110 yards across 25 catches and 38 targets.”

9) Demani Richardson, Texas A&M Aggies

The other half of the impressive safety duo for the Aggies, Richardson has been more than solid.

“Richardson is your quintessential box-ticking safety,” started Renner. “He may not have a ton of high-end plays on tape — he’s managed only nine combined picks and pass breakups in three years as a starter — but there are also not a lot of glaring weaknesses to his game, either.

“He’s a solid, all-around athlete at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds who can line up anywhere within a defense. Richardson is also a quality tackler, with only 18 misses on 195 career attempts.”

10) Quindell Johnson, Memphis Tigers

While Johnson plays in a smaller school, Renner isn’t letting that cloud his vision — the kid is a ball-hawk.

“Yet another small school safety with big-time talent, Johnson has been showing out for the Tigers ever since he allowed only 10 catches on 31 targets for 180 yards as a true freshman in 2019,” remarked Reenner. “It’s that coverage prowess that gets him a nod on this list, as he racked up seven pass breakups a year ago.”