When you’re reading this, either the Free Safety Article has been published by now, or will be coming very soon, the following is an excerpt from the beginning part of that article, feel free to refresh or you can skip right to the main part:
Isaiah Pola-Mao struggled in 2025, missing 19.7% of his tackles (23 missed tackles), while allowing 28 receptions for 382 yards, and five touchdowns with a 112.7 QBR. Pola-Mao saw 733 snaps at free safety and just 157 at strong safety. Pola-Mao has primarily
been a free safety in his career, including touching back to his time at USC. He’s in the final year of a 9 million contract, and likely will be a part of the Raiders defense in 2026 with some form or fashion, as a rotational player, or starter down at strong safety which Las Vegas may attempt to kick him towards. Additionally, the Raiders have Jeremy Chinn, who saw 291 snaps in the nickel, 82 at strong safety, around 215 snaps as a nickel linebacker and 188 as a free safety. Chinn will consistently rotate for the Raiders in 2026 similar to how he has his entire career having nearly 2100 snaps at nickel linebacker and strong safety, 1159 at free safety, and 1400 as a nickel cornerback. Chinn allowed 39 receptions, 352 yards, 7 touchdowns, and a 134.2 QBR last season, which was a career down year in coverage, though the Raiders also consistently tried to put him in a role breakdown not similar to others that he had in his career. However, Chinn did have success in coverage outside of three games where he allowed north of a 120 QBR, and in 8 games he allowed a QBR sub 84.5. Chinn should be a big part of the Raiders defense in 2026, is likely to be a captain, and it’s possible Las Vegas explores an extension this off-season as well. Jumping into that, the Raiders will be addressing their safety role this off-season and with the draft coming up, that’s the biggest key for them after not adding anyone in free agency. Las Vegas does have Terrell Edmunds on their roster, and it’s possible he serves as a depth option for 2026 as the 29 year old has played a career 5500 snaps, though he’s not played more than 500 since 2023 with the Titans. Edmunds is a veteran, does have experience, and also has rotated between strong/free & nickel linebacker which could entice the team to retain him as a depth piece. Lastly, the Raiders have Tristin McCollum, who played 145 snaps last season, and while he struggled in coverage did well in the run game, but is a true free safety that the Raiders can’t rely on to be an anchor of the defense for 650+ snaps.
- A VERY KEY NOTE (PLEASE READ): A lot of college safeties work a lot out of the slot, as the game allows them to work in space, get deep, and play the ball in college. Tre’Von Moehrig, Kyle Hamilton, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Antoine Winfield, Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori are key examples of slot defenders in college that have rotated back to free safety (except Emmanwori who well does everything) but majority of college safeties will play the slot, and few stay in the nickel, as the college game requires them to play a similar FS/SS role just working initially out of the nickel as they’re closer to the LOS and able to make a greater impact. Some safeties such as Xavier Watts, Caelan Bullock, Jalen Pitre, Malaki Starks, Antonio Johnson, and a few others have worked mainly as FS/SS in their careers at the college level.
- Additionally, Slot Defender can really cover a variety of aspects here, it can be a true nickel cornerback lined up in 2-3 yard off coverage on the inside slot receiver as a flat defender or in man coverage while also counting as a 8.5 yard off slot defender lined up with a shade on the defender in zone coverage playing a nickel linebacker role but outside the tackle box therefore making them a true slot defender instead of the nickel linebacker. The definition for Strong Safety as well is defenders lined up outside the tackle box (LT – RT) and between 6.51 yards & 10.5 yards of the LOS (FS is anywhere beyond 10.51 yards of the LOS)
CF – Stands for Centerfield Safety, your traditional single high, top of the “key” safety that’s between the tackles
Strong Safeties:
It’s typically rare for a player to be a traditional strong safety, and they’ll often get looped in with the nickel LB/box safety types, but that’s not necessarily the case. Much to EA & Madden’s despise, teams traditionally will label strong/free, but both are playing a true free safety role at the same time, it’s just very dependent on the side you’re matching your defender up. Similar to a SAM linebacker, the strong safety is going to match the offensive personnel with the TE, and your free safety is going to match the opposite side. If a team has a SAM linebacker, you can traditionally (not always, but majority of the time) see them shift their strong more down to a free safety depth but still on the strong side.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo (Consensus: Late 1st)
HT: 6’2 | WT: 202 | Games: 48
Career: 214 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 INT (TD), 14 PBU, 9 FF, 10.9% missed tackle rate | 54.8% reception rate (34/62), 403 yards, 3 TD, 57.4 QBR allowed
- FS: 635 snaps (380 CF)
- SS: 588 snaps
- Nickel LB: 432 snaps
- Slot Defender: 209 snaps
There’s a very very small chance that McNeil-Warren is there for the Raiders at 36, if he is available, then you sprint the pick in. McNeil-Warren reminds me heavily of Derwin James, he’s an extremely physical defender, with exceptional range, sideline to sideline traits, and his lower body is exceptionally fluid. Warren shows a ton of traits in the run game, he’s a sound tackler, takes consistent fluid angles, and also drives receivers/runningbacks through the ground. McNeil-Warren shows an ability to play with tight ends, receivers, and runningbacks is physical at the catch point, and also utilizes natural leverage, instincts, and aggression to make a play on the ball. He’ll need to clean up his ability to work off blockers near the LOS consistently in the run game, and he lacks long speed to play a true downfield safety role. He’s an impact safety, who has the ability to be a focal point of the defensive back core, and his versatility, blitz ability, and run defense would be a phenomenal fit for Las Vegas.
VJ Payne, Kansas State (Consensus: Mid to Late 5th)
HT: 6’3 | WT: 209 | Games: 52
Career: 207 tackles, 11 TFL, 4 INT, 11 PBU, 4 FF, 12.4% missed tackle rate | 57.4% reception rate (54/94), 523 yards, 3 TD, 66 QBR allowed
- FS: 642 snaps (317 CF)
- SS: 933 snaps
- Nickel LB: 263 snaps
- Slot Defender: 551 snaps
VJ Payne is a very interesting player, he has a great frame at 6’3/210 with decent athleticism as well. He’s extremely versatile in coverage, but likely sticks at a strong safety role at the NFL level. Payne is aggressive, and violent, he’ll come downhil and make a massive impact against the run, is extremely physical against tight ends and receivers at the catch point, and he shows good open field ball skills as well. Payne has good initial quickness, a strong downhill trigger against the run, and decent long speed to work downfield in certain packages. He does best when working downhill, though he shows good ability to work backwards with fluid footwork. He’s limited as a true downfield safety with average hip flexibility, and he tends to get turned around at times as well where he’ll give up leverage and separation. Payne struggled in 2024, but he saw more time at FS than SS, which he converted back towards in 2025. He doesn’t fully fit a role as the Raiders downfield safety, but a box defender in three package sets does fit a role for Payne with Las Vegas.
Jalen Stroman, Notre Dame (Consensus: Early 6th)
HT: 6’1 | WT: 202 | Games: 48
Career: 148 tackles, 5 TFL, INT (TD), 8 PBU, 2 FF, 15% missed tackle rate | 73% reception rate (27/37), 381 yards, 2 TD, 112.6 QBR allowed
- FS: 518 snaps (170 CF)
- SS: 418 snaps
- Nickel LB: 158 snaps
- Slot Defender: 132 snaps
Stroman has had a weird career, he’s been in college since 2021 and logged just 1134 snaps after missing time in 2024 with an injury. Stroman has been considered a top safety in college, and was a possible day two pick before transferring to Notre Dame. Stroman started the season as the starter, and he struggled, but also was replaced by Tae Johnson (he’s that dude, like he’s generational at S). He’s going to work at strong safety in the NFL, or a nickel linebacker and he ahs the frame to. Stroman is a run defense first safety, he has a phenomenal downhill trigger, is fluid and works through contact well, plays disciplined clean football, and he’s extremely physical. Despite his missed tackle rate, Stroman has improved each season, and largely is putting himself in a position to make a play that others can’t. He can overpursue at times, and in coverage his aggressiveness leaves a defender open as he bites on concepts, or he’ll bite on play action as well. Stroman is an average athlete with ok long speed, and thrives more working forward than backwards leaving coverage a struggle. He’s a late round prospect, who with limited career production & experience, has shown the traits to potentially be a quality depth player.
Dalton Johnson, Arizona (Consensus: Mid 7th)
HT: 5’11 | WT: 198 | Games: 49
Career: 286 tackles, 13 TFL, 5 INT, 11 PBU, 7 FF, 12.2% missed tackle rate | 67.8% reception rate (78/115), 886 yards, 7 TD, 92.9 QBR allowed
- FS: 374 snaps (170 CF)
- SS: 480 snaps
- Nickel LB: 902 snaps
- Slot Defender: 463 snaps
The running mate to Genesis Smith, he shows good long speed and an ability to play makeup football when beat over the top. Johnson does have fluid footwork that works in unison to his hips and he’s able to turn and cut fairly effectively, with a strong burst out of the cut. Johnson improved each season as a coverage defender, and 2025 is by far his best year, he’s quick to come downhill or work out of breaks, has a strong initial burst, and his instincts show on film as well. He’s extremely fluid in his movements, doesn’t really waste any extra steps, and he shows a lot of flashes consistently. Johnson is slightly undersized to play the strong safety role in the NFL fulltime, but he makes up for it with elite physicality. He’s an average run defender, doesn’t have the mass or strength to defeat blockers in space, and he’ll need to clean up as a tackler with poor angles (it’s a common theme). Additionally, a move near the LOS could be a struggle with weaknesses in man coverage and he does struggle as well in catch point situations vs bigger receivers. Johnson, arguably, is better than Smith, and shows a ton of upside with a rather high floor as well. He’s a very capable mid round safety prospect, and despite his average athleticism will make an NFL impact.
Skyler Thomas, Oregon State (Consensus: Late 4th to Early 5th)
HT: 6’2 | WT: 212 | Games: 49
Career: 191 tackles, TFL, 3 INT, 14 PBU, 3FR, 13.1% missed tackle rate | 51.1% reception rate (39/76), 463 yards, 2 TD, 62.6 QBR allowed
- FS: 429 snaps (262 CF)
- SS: 713 snaps
- Nickel LB: 199 snaps
- Slot Defender: 229 snaps
Thomas flashed at his pro day, with a 4.61 40, 38 vert, 10-01 broad, 4.35 shuttle, and 6.75 3-Cone. He shows a ton of initial quickness and explosiveness, though there’s a lack of deep speed. Thomas works well out of breaks, coming downhill, and he’s extremely twitched up in general. The senior showed extreme aggression at the catch point, has fluid hips and quick feet that allow him to flip out of his backpedal quickly, turn and run on defenders, and also come out of breaks to make a play. He’s an aggressive tackler, but does take poor angles, and I’d like to see him consistently wrap up more often than going for the big hit. Thomas is pretty limited at times with his long speed and doesn’t have true deep speed but he works in short areas, will be best near the LOS, and overall shows a high floor, low ceiling. Thomas also has shown god instincts in both phases of the game, and while there’s likely not a massive ceiling he can become an adequate 3rd safety in sub packages near the LOS.
Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech (Consensus: Late 5th to Early 6th)
HT: 6’3 | WT: 225 | Games: 61
Career: 272 tackles, 13 TFL, 5 sacks, 8 INT, 21 PBU, 7 FF, 3 FR, 12% missed tackle rate | 64.3% reception rate (74/115), 661 yards, 1 TD, 53.6 QBR allowed
- FS: 929 snaps (345 CF)
- SS: 316 snaps
- Nickel LB: 701 snaps
- Slot Defender: 371 snaps
Cole Wisniewski is fun, his 2024 season at North Dakota State was exceptional where he logged 5 PBU and 8 interceptions with a 2.1 QBR allowed. Wisniewski took his talent to Lubbock, Texas and to absolutely no one’s surprise he was very good. He’s a physical, high effort, nightmare of a defensive player to play against. He’s an average athlete testing wise, but shows a good bit of explosiveness and initial quickness out of his breaks. Wisniewski is highly experienced (2300 snaps), has high end instincts, and while he’s limited by his athletic ability from working downfield as a backend safety he makes a massive impact near the LOS. An aggressive player, he takes fluid angles, tackles well, wraps up, and overall is not a player you’d want to meet in a rushing lane. Wisniewski is very limited at the NFL level from the lack of downfield coverage ability, and he’s best in short area bursts instead of longer ranges which will push him near the LOS but he makes plays wherever he is. He’s a smart player, will create turnovers, and with a limited ceiling he’s a very high floor “damn good ballplayer”. The Raiders have met with Wisniewski, no relation to Steve, and the versatility fits what Las Vegas could look to run on their defensive front.
Versatile:
Including Caleb Downs, but similar to Thieneman not going to touch on him
Bud Clark, TCU (Consensus: Late 3rd)
HT: 6’2 | WT: 190 | Games: 61
Career: 214 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 15 INT (TD), 24 PBU, FF, 14.8% missed tackle rate | 62.8% reception rate (123/196), 1554 yards, 11 TD, 74.2 QBR allowed
- FS: 517 snaps (104 CF)
- SS: 670 snaps
- Nickel LB: 186 snaps
- Slot Defender: 1364 snaps
Bud Clark, not the best safety in the class, but he’s certainly one of my favorites and it seems he’s one of everyone’s favorites. Clark is just a fluid, athletic, and smart football player. He has good length and size, the versatility is real, and he’s been a turnover machine through his time. Clark shows high end instincts, elite straight line speed, a good initial burst, and he’s incredibly smart against offensive systems, route combinations, and he reads the QBs eyes the best of any DB in the class not named Mansoor Delane or Chris Johnson. Clark is aggressive, he’ll fight for the ball in the air, matches up well vs bigger receivers and tight ends, and he will get his nose into the run game with aggression. Clark works well in versatile packages, and does have the ability to play nickel, strong, and free safety where he should be used in the NFL as a versatile defender that can cause matchup nightmares. He’s inconsistent on his lower half and can get tripped up as his hips move before his ankles, and he needs to refine his abilities as a tackler. Clark will also need to do better working over his shoulder to make plays on the ball he’s tracking, as he primarily is successful working towards the ball instead of the endzone. He’s an exceptional safety, should go rather highly, and his experience paired with instincts make him a plug and play impact defender.
Xavier “X” Nwankpa, Iowa (Consensus: Late 6th)
HT: 6’2 | WT: 215 | Games: 52
Career: 171 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 INT, 6 PBU, 4 FF, 12.7% missed tackle rate | 63.2% reception rate (48/76), 534 yards, 7 TD, 98.2 QBR allowed
- FS: 935 snaps (478 CF)
- SS: 759 snaps
- Nickel LB: 106 snaps
- Slot Defender: 356 snaps
Nwankpa gets overlooked at times, he was exceptional in 2023 and looked to be a future first round pick and then he struggled in 2024 with injuries, before a rebound 2025 season but he’s still a little under the radar. He’s an exceptional athlete (9.38 RAS) with a 4.48 40 and 37.5 vert. He does have average initial burst and quickness working out of cuts, and he’ll need to refine his lower body mechanics where he can look out of sync at times. Additionally, Nwankpa is elite downhill vs the run and among the best run defenders at the position in the class. He tackles well, takes good angles, and is extremely physical. He’ll need to refine his form, and overall in all phases become more consistent. He has physical traits, high end instincts, and is consistently putting receivers out of position to be in the play. Nwankpa is aggressive, hits like a freight train, and isn’t afraid of contact. He’ll need to trust himself more and instead of react being proactive but the initial instincts, ball skills, run defense, and athleticism make him an easy target to adapt quickly to the NFL level.
Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma (Consensus: Late 5th to Early 6th)
HT: 6’0 | WT: 215 | Games: 47
Career: 178 tackles, 8 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 INT, 5 PBU, 5 FF, 10.5% missed tackle rate | 70% reception rate (49/70), 686 yards, 5 TD, 113.2 QBR allowed
- FS: 659 snaps (314 CF)
- SS: 588 snaps
- Nickel LB: 432 snaps
- Slot Defender: 209 snaps
Spears-Jennings had some phenomenal 2024 film but 2025 was a little more of a struggle for him. He’s a solid athlete, and shows really good length and long speed with a 4.32 40. Spears-Jennings also has a strong initial burst and quickness which he uses to his advantage frequently against the run game, where he’s coming downhill hard, though he works much better moving forward than backwards. He understands the run game exceptionally well, has good instincts and a knack to fight off tight ends/lineman to cut through the backfield and make a play on the ball carrier (he’s very linebacker like vs the run). Spears-Jennings works well close to the LOS, but struggles to play over the top consistently, despite his speed as he lacks the true coverage instincts needed. He has a history as a WR in high school, and does show good ball skills making a knack to find the ball in the air and can pounce on specific concepts to make a play. Spears-Jennings is uncoordinated in his lower half, despite having exceptional ankle/hip flexibility, but he needs to refine his technique in coverage and when to turn and run. He’s aggressive which can lead to penalties, and while it’s a positive he trusts himself he’ll leave cutback lanes or receivers open as he trusts himself too much (it’s a good bad thing to have). Spears-Jennings is versatile, can play across the field, and does have athleticism to adapt, but he’s a raw prospect with limited career snaps, though his versatility could be a strong impact for the Raiders later on.
Lorenzo Styles, Ohio State (Consensus: Mid 7th)
HT: 6’1 | WT: 195 | Games: 60 (34 at SAF)
Career: 47 tackles, 2 TFL, 9 PBU, 16% missed tackle rate | 60.8% reception rate (31/51), 340 yards, TD, 87.1 QBR allowed
- FS: 148 snaps (314 CF)
- SS: 15 snaps
- Nickel LB: 43 snaps
- Slot Defender: 365 snaps
Styles originally began his career at Notre Dame as a receiver where he was fairly productive with 54 receptions, 684 yards, and 2 TD. He’s also added 194 yards and a TD as a kick returner on just 4 attempts. Styles is an exceptional athlete, with a 9.99 RAS off a 4.27 40 and 39 vertical jump. For starters, Styles has just 570 snaps at safety in his career, less that most other safeties had in 2025 alone. He has good initial quickness working downhill, and his long speed also shows in coverage where he’s able to turn and run on assignments. Styles is a run first safety, which for his lack of experience is good, and he tackles well with good form. He’s still learning, which causes him to be out of place, overpursue, or put himself out of position to make a play but the initial impact he’s made with limited experience is a positive. Styles background offensively shows, with good play recognition, instincts in coverage, and an ability to work leverage to his advantage. Styles is strong, drives offensive receivers backwards and through the ground, and shows an ability to work off blockers against the run. He needs to refine his coverage technique, ability to track the ball, and it’ll be tough to see him working downfield in the NFL as a deep coverage safety. Additionally, his footwork is sloppy, he’s uncoordinated at times, and overall lacks a lot of the required experience/traits defensively to be an impact player immediately. He’s a developmental safety who you’re banking on athletically, but it’s hard to see an immediate impact and he’ll required good coaching while working near the LOS.
Ike Larsen, Utah State (Consensus: Mid to Late 7th)
HT: 5’11 | WT: 199 | Games: 45
Career: 273 tackles, 12 TFL, 10 INT, 22 PBU, FF, 3 TD, 21% missed tackle rate | 61% reception rate (94/154), 1069 yards, 12 TD, 89.2 QBR allowed
- FS: 770 snaps (326 CF)
- SS: 761 snaps
- Nickel LB: 294 snaps
- Slot Defender: 739 snaps
I sit here, 10PM the night before this article goes live, watching Utah State film (don’t ask) and I see this safety constantly making plays, well that’s Larsen and come to my attention I DIDN”T TALK ABOUT HIM. So here he is, Larsen struggled heavily in 2024, but he had a phenomenal 2025 season that pivots him to late round draft conversations. Utah State utilized him less in the box and more at free safety which helped increase his total involvement on the ball a lot, and prevent him from missing the rate of tackles he did as he was consistently washed out or just not strong enough closer to the LOS. Larsen also logged back to back 4 INT seasons in 2022 and 2023 when he worked more at FS, a role that’s going to carry into the NFL. He’s logged a 37 vert, 10’01 broad, 4.51 40, 4.21 shuttle, and overall a 8.85 RAS score. Larsen has fluid hips, a natural ability to drive on the ball, and he works well in space downfield showing true sideline to sideline ability. Larsen does need to clean up the tackles, as seen with his missed tackle rate, and a large part is either the lack of technique or him taking poor angles from a FS spot. He’s a physical player, though he’ll need to improve with how often he fights in coverage. Larsen is older, will turn 24 before the season, but he’s athletic and a playmaker in the secondary which signals towards some development later in his career. Additionally, the Utah State product has been an impact special teams player with 2 FF, 18 tackles, and 2 blocked punts through his career.
Jacob Thomas, JMU (Consensus: Mid to Late 7th)
HT: 6’1 | WT: 212 | Games: 50
Career: 199 tackles, 15 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 5 INT, 23 PBU, FF, 18.1% missed tackle rate | 50% reception rate (41/82), 699 yards, 5 TD, 74.2 QBR allowed
- FS: 655 snaps (161 CF)
- SS: 794 snaps
- Nickel LB: 214 snaps
- Slot Defender: 459 snaps
Thomas was a Thorpe Award finalist in 2024 at James Madison, and was also an All-American after posting 72 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 interceptions, and 9 PBU while allowing a 31.8 QBR. Thomas continued his success in 2025 as an anchor for the JMU playoff secondary with 2 interceptions and eight breakups. He’s an exceptional athlete (37 vert, 4.42 40, 10-01 broad, 4.21 shuttle, and 6.8 3-Cone) with a 9.68 RAS score. He’s long, athletic, and versatile. Thomas might need to kick into the slot at the NFL, but he’s a fluid mover, shows good initial quickness and explosive ability, and the long speed is also legit. He’s fluid in coverage, understands offensive passing games, is able to read and react, and also drives through receivers in contested catch situations. He’s a poor tackler, with inconsistent tackling form, and he’ll need to improve his functional play strength as well. Thomas doesn’t work well downfield but is better near the LOS which does limit him at the NFL level, and I’d like to see him do better at reacting to outside breaking concepts. Overall, Thomas shows a lot of upside, and while he’ll need to adjust to the NFL speed where he looked a little slow out of his reactions vs Oregon (did great vs Louisville FWIW), he does have special teams and nickel impact that can get him on the field immediately.
Maximus Pulley, Wofford (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 5’11 | WT: 202 | Games: 33
Career: 185 tackles, 7 TFL, 7 INT, 18 PBU, 2 FF, 6 FR, 11% missed tackle rate | 61.5% reception rate (54/88), 561 yards, 5 TD, 65.6 QBR allowed
- FS: 945 snaps (389 CF)
- SS: 532 snaps
- Nickel LB: 150 snaps
- Slot Defender: 489 snaps
If you’re going to make the jump from FCS to the NFL, you need to dominate the FCS level, and Pulley did. He logged a 4.45 40, 41.5 vert, 10-03 broad, and 4.25 shuttle at his Pro Day, where he met with the Raiders. He’s well built out, shows good aggression and versatility at DB but should fit mostly into a FS role at the NFL level. Pulley is good near the LOS and downfield, has an excellent initial trigger, drives on the defender well, and as a run defender is extremely advanced with a consistent tackling form, good angles, and he’s physical to anchor vs offensive guards, and work upfield. Pulley is average athletically in his lower body, he can get tripped up, and he’s also rather stiff at times and unable to turn and run consistently. Pulley doesn’t have the true sideline to sideline ability, and the other concern will be how well he can get up to the NFL speed. He’ll likely translate closer to the LOS in the NFL, and potentially into the slot, but there’s a lot of traits for Pulley to find his way into the NFL for a decent time.
There will be a true slot defender article coming as well
