NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks ranks Top 5 safety prospects in 2024 NFL Draft
This year’s safety class vying for attention in the NFL Draft doesn’t feature many big names. So you might not see one go in the first round.
But Bucky Brooks, a draft analyst for NFL.com, sees a lot of value spread through the safeties, be they free or strong. There may only be one selected in the first round, if that. But it is guaranteed that all NFL teams will think about taking one in the draft.
Why? Let Brooks explain why he is draft gushing. “This position group is loaded with plus-size athletes possessing sticky hands and “thump” ability.” So let’s thump our way through the Brooks analysis.
1. Tyler Nubin Minnesota
Nubin grabbed 12 interceptions back when he was a standout in the Golden Gopher secondary. He told reporters at the NFL Combine that he is anything but a one dimensional safety. Some team in the back end of the first round will draft him.
Brooks writes “Nubin is a sensational playmaker with the ball skills and tackling ability to control the middle of the field from numbers to numbers. As an interception machine (12 INTs over the past three seasons at Minnesota) with a knack for baiting quarterbacks into mistakes, he could thrive as the star atop the Christmas tree in a single-high defense.”
2. Javon Bullard Georgia
One scout noted that Georgia used Bullard in way that could be replicated in the NFL. Use him as a nickel in run support and do not use him much for tight man coverage.
Brooks writes “Bullard’s experience as a safety and sub-defender will make him a hot commodity on draft boards around the league. As a versatile box defender with outstanding instincts and awareness, the George standout is a Day 2 possibility who could be a plug-and-play starter.”
3. Calen Bullock USC
The Trojans defense was one of the most disappointing in college football last season. But NFL teams seem to be dismissing that when it comes to Bullock’s draft status.
Brooks noted that “Bullock is an active traffic cop who excels in pass defense but leaves something to be desired against the run. A true ballhawk, he snagged nine interceptions in three seasons at USC.”
4. Kamren Kinchens Miami
Kinchens’ combine outing probably dropped him down a lot of NFL Draft boards. He finished in the lower tier of both the speed and agility drills. But when it comes to safeties, maybe those drills don’t translate.
Brooks said “Kinchens is a big-play eraser in the back end as a natural center fielder with sticky hands and range that belies his disappointing 40-yard dash at the combine (4.65 seconds). The Miami standout forces opposing quarterbacks to think twice before attacking down the field.”
5. Tykee Smith Georgia
Smith is zooming up the NFL Draft boards thanks to his excellent performance at the Senior Bowl, then the Combine. He earned defensive MVP honors at the Senior Bowl. And then at the Combine, he quieted critics who wondered if he had adequate NFL speed. His tape was fine. After all, he led Georgia in tackles and interceptions.
Books wrote that “Smith is a versatile defender with the capacity to play high or low, as a deep safety or slot defender. As another battle-tested defender out of Georgia, he could immediately step into NFL sub-packages and make an impact.”
Finally, Brooks also added that no one should ignore Beau Brade from Maryland. Remember that the NFL Draft is April 25 through the 27th. If you want to read more Brooks draft analysis, click it here.