Las Vegas Raiders 2026 Draft Scouting: Free Safeties

Recently I’ve worked on a string of draft prospect prospects that fit the Raiders, breaking down well mainly just the defensive tackles and “X” wide receivers. I’m going to continue this up till the draft starting with safeties, then we’ll work down to receiver, offensive tackle, EDGE rushers, cornerback, linebacker, and tight end in really no order. I’ll also do a piece on runningback, but I’ll likely skip quarterback because well, you know, Fernando Mendoza. That said, the Raiders are likely going to run a very

interesting and diverse defense that will rotate their secondary, especially at safety. Las Vegas is going to run an extremely diverse package that will likely feature a total of three safeties rotating in heavy fashion, with a nickel/dime linebacker near the LOS, a true centerfield/free safety, and at times a strong safety as well.

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 and 8.5+ yards off the LOS – The number is just how many of their FS snaps have come as a centerfield safety

Free Safeties:

Include Dillon Thieneman but I’m not going to touch on him.

AJ Haulcy, LSU (Consensus: Late 2nd)

HT: 6’0 | WT: 215 | Games: 48

Career: 347 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 10 INT, 19 PBU, 4 FF, 11.8% missed tackle rate | 69.6% reception rate (78/112), 843 yards, 9 TD, 81.1 QBR allowed

FS: 1417 snaps (889 CF)
SS: 576 snaps
Nickel LB: 473 snaps
Slot Defender: 375 snaps

Haulcy is an exceptional watch, he’s extremely smart in coverage, and works well with his athleticism. He’s able to understand assignments, offensive systems, and utilizes receiver leverage to his advantage. He’s worked his way from New Mexico, to Houston, and now LSU where he’s improved each season. He’s a strong tackler, extremely physical, and violent in coverage and against the run. Haulcy isn’t the best in short bursts largely as he doesn’t trust himself fully, and he’ll need to clean up some tackling angles. He’s an exceptionally smart defender, and will be successful based solely off his athleticism, ball skills, and instincts.

Kamari Ramsey, USC (Consensus: Early 3rd)

HT: 6’0 | WT: 205 | Games: 35

Career: 133 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INT, 11 PBU, 2 FF, 13.3% missed tackle rate | 62.8% reception rate (59/94), 494 yards, 4 TD, 81.6 QBR allowed

FS: 926 snaps (177 CF)
SS: 180 snaps
Nickel LB: 192 snaps
Slot Defender: 565 snaps

Ramsey, like other safeties in this class, has won & reads off his reaction, instincts, and downhill trigger. He works best in zone coverage, is able to drive downwards towards the LOS, reads off receiver leverage, and will find a knack to make plays. Ramsey is extremely smart, shows good understanding of offensive systems, works truly sideline to sideline, and will be a physical defender against receivers. Ramsey was a focal point of the USC defense, paired his instincts with high end athleticism, and he’ll make an impact in the same fashion at the NFL level. He’ll need to clean up his ability downfield with questionable long speed at times, and he’s inconsistent as a tackler as well consistently finding a way to ankle bite. Ramsey is a questionable downhill defender, but as an early round prospect he can make a massive impact as a backend defender, though he may not have the most production on the ball.

Zakee Wheatley, Penn State (Consensus: Early 3rd)

HT: 6’2 | WT: 202 | Games: 58

Career: 223 tackles, 5 TFL, 6 INT, 6 PBU, 3 FR, 2 FF, 14.4% missed tackle rate | 72.5% reception rate (50/69), 608 yards, 6 TD, 91.9 QBR allowed

FS: 1311 snaps (344 CF)
SS: 282 snaps
Nickel LB: 204 snaps
Slot Defender: 411 snaps

Wheatley is a fun defender to watch, he’s versatile but played primarily a true centerfield safety for Penn State. He’s an average athlete, but plays violent and can win in space. He’s understanding of offensive concepts, has good length, a strong initial burst, and will drive downfield consistently to make an impact against the run. He shows a good ability to track the ball overhead, but his aggression can cause him to bite on double moves, though he shows the recovery speed to make up when beaten over the top. He’ll need to clean up his angles and tackling form, far too often becoming an ankle biter, and taking poor pursuit angles but he’s improved each season which shows a good sign for the future. Wheatley has a high ceiling, and he’s very refined as a coverage defender, but has a lot of room to grow.

Genesis Smith, Arizona (Consensus: Early 3rd)

HT: 6’2 | WT: 205 | Games: 37

Career: 164 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 5 INT, 14 PBU, 3 FR, 4 FF, 20.1% missed tackle rate | 64.2% reception rate (43/67), 614 yards, 3 TD, 77.5 QBR allowed

FS: 891 snaps (410 CF)
SS: 165 snaps
Nickel LB: 213 snaps
Slot Defender: 470 snaps

Smith struggles to tackle, part of the issue comes with simply poor form, but he also takes poor angles, is an ankle biter, and plays with a high pad level leaving him able to be pushed around. He’s extremely physical, is violent as a run defender when he makes contact, and he also shows fluid hips with clean feet. Smith has good short area burst, a strong initial trigger, and shows average to slightly above average deep speed with a good ability to recover as well. He needs to refine his tackling, and also limit how often he bites on double moves, but the Arizona safety shows good instincts, a fluid athletic profile, and high ceiling that could put him as an impact defender in coverage. He’ll need to be coached, likely isn’t an immediate impact player, but shows enough to warrant a late day two selection with how high his ceiling is.

Michael Taaffe, Texas (Consensus: Mid 4th)

HT: 6’0 | WT: 189 | Games: 53

Career: 222 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 7 INT, 14 PBU, FF, 16% missed tackle rate | 64.4% reception rate (39/54), 540 yards, 5 TD, 67.2 QBR allowed

FS: 1370 snaps (508 snaps)
SS: 211 snaps
Nickel LB: 190 snaps
Slot Defender: 303 snaps

I really like Michael Taaffe, he’s a consistent safety who should carve out an NFL role. He has a decent frame, but does carry an injury risk as well having a decent history of injuries. Taaffe is extremely aggressive downhill, shows great instincts vs the run, but will need to clean up his tackling angles consistently showing a tendency to over pursue. He does better working downhill than backwards, as his hip flexibility is average, but Taaffe also shows good athleticism, change of direction skills, and initial burst that gives him the ability to crash downhill. Taaffe is a smart coverage defender, relies on instincts, and shows a very good understanding of the pass game. Taaffe doesn’t have an extremely high ceiling, and he’s limited athletically at times, but his floor is relatively high, and he should make an impact as a depth safety or free safety where he’s able to play a centerfield role and work off instincts to make a play on the ball.

Louis Moore, Indiana (Consensus: Late 3rd to Early 4th)

HT: 5’11 | WT: 200 | Games: 51

Career: 215 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 9 INT (2 TD), 6 PBU, 4 FF, 14.7% missed tackle rate | 70.6% reception rate (60/85), 654 yards, 3 TD, 65.1 QBR allowed

FS: 1078 snaps (574 CF)
SS: 354 snaps
Nickel LB: 177 snaps
Slot Defender: 292 snaps

Moore started his career at Indiana, left for Ole Miss in 2024, and returned in 2025 where he was extremely valuable. Moore has a good frame, quick initial trigger, and shows the ability to run sideline to sideline. He’s a fluid run defender, shows exceptional instincts, range, and sideline to sideline traits. Moore does well working as a center field safety, where he wins with his instincts, and ball skills. There’s some inconsistency in the run game, where Moore has a tendency to take poor angles, and can ankle bite but he’s an above average run defender when it’s all said and done. He’s aggressive, physical, and will make splash play. There’s some refinement issues, and Moore is a massive concern when it comes to working against tight ends and bigger receivers as he can get boxed out at the point of attack. He has inconsistent leverage usage, will stumble at times when transitioning in space, and he needs to clean up the tackle aspects. Moore has an exceptional ceiling, and his floor is high as well for now. He’s one of the best safeties in the class, and for Las Vegas should be an immediate target in the third round.

Bishop Fitzgerald, USC (Consensus: Early to Mid 5th)

HT: 5’11 | WT: 205 | Games: 36

Career: 148 tackles, 10 TFL, 10 INT (TD), 15 PBU, FF, 13% missed tackle rate | 63% reception rate (49/78), 507 yards, 9 TD, 80.4 QBR

FS: 969 snaps (363 CF)
SS: 356 snaps
Nickel LB: 144 snaps
Slot Defender: 349 snaps

The former NC State standout transferred to USC and had a career season where he was an All-American with five interceptions & eight pass breakups. He’s a smaller framed safety, with below average length which can limit him in the run game at times when he’s pushed around or put out of the play. Fitzgerald shows exceptional instincts and playmaking ability. He’s understanding of pass game tendencies and concepts, reacts on receiver leverage, and is very capable of reading a QB’s eyes to make a play on the ball. He can be stiff at times, doesn’t show an elite downhill trigger, but he’s able to be effective in short area bursts as well. He has fluid footwork, agile hips, and is very patient. Fitzgerald lacks long speed, and his sideline to sideline ability can be a concern vs spread offenses. Fitzgerald does well in different systems (3 in 3 years), and he’ll need to clean up his tackling, but he shows a ton of coverage traits and those translate to the NFL.

Jakobe Thomas, Miami (FL) (Consensus: Late 5th)

HT: 6’2 | WT: 200 | Games: 53

Career: 206 tackles, 11 TFL, 5 sacks, 9 INT (3 TD), 16 PBU, 4 FR, 5 FF, 21% missed tackle rate | 67.1% reception rate (94/104), 1133 yards, 12 TD, 93.5 QBR allowed

FS: 1074 snaps (685 CF)
SS: 567 snaps
Nickel LB: 274 snaps
Slot Defender: 365 snaps

Thomas worked his way from Middle Tennessee State to Tennessee, and then Miami this off-season. He played more of a true free safety role in his final season, and it’s worked well for him. He’s an athletic player, has an exceptional first step working backwards or forwards, and he’s aggressive. Thomas was used in blitz packages largely off his athleticism, and he has good instincts vs the run game. He’s fluid in his lower body, showing an abilility to turn and adjust in space, work well in a backpedal, and he can run out of cuts consistently. The safety is physical vs the run, and will box defenders out routinely in coverage. Thomas does have deficiencies in the run game, he’ll take poor angles, and can be too violent, though a large part of his high missed tackle rate is putting himself in position to make a play others aren’t able to make. He’ll need to adapt to the speed of the NFL, and likely isn’t an immediate impact defender, but Thomas shows a lot of versatility the Raiders could like, especially with his blitzing ability and diversity.

Ahmaad Moses, SMU (Consensus: Mid to Late 7th)

HT: 5’9 | WT: 205 | Games: 54

Career: 250 tackles, 17 TFL, 3 sacks, 8 INT (2 TD), 11 PBU, 2 FR, FF, 13.8% missed tackle rate | 70% reception rate (63/90), 673 yards, 10 TD, 91.6 QBR allowed

FS: 1028 snaps (309 CF)
SS: 184 snaps
Nickel LB: 241 snaps
Slot Defender: 547 snaps

Moses is a playmaker, and a very good one at that as well. He worked well in the slot, and could make the change to that in the NFL which may do him best. He has a very small slender frame, but shows good athleticism, range, and initial quickness. He’s able to work sideline to sideline consistently, has natural hips, works his entire lower body in unison, and overall is exceptionally fluid in his movement, footwork, and ability to work forwards and backwards. He drives on the ball well, shows good instincts, can react to receiver leverage often, and also shows an ability to turn and run in man coverage along with zone. He’s a fun prospect, and size will limit him, but Moses shows the athletics to warrant a selection in the middle of day three with a potential conversion to nickel cornerback in his future.

Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU (Consensus: Mid to Late 5th)

HT: 6’1 | WT: 205 | Games: 53

Career: 273 tackles, 12 TFL, 11 INT, 14 PBU, 2 FF, 17.4% missed tackle rate | 66.4% reception rate (99/149), 1052 yards, 6 TD, 72.8 QBR allowed

FS: 1111 snaps (796 CF)
SS: 431 snaps
Nickel LB: 424 snaps
Slot Defender: 532 snaps

Nwokobia’s 2024 and 2023 film is better than his s025 film, which is a minor concern. He has quick initial burst, triggers downhill effectively, and works well out of his cuts to continue and explode on the ball or receiver. He’s physical, violent, and will consistently put his way into the play. He shows good instincts, a natural ability to utilize leverage, and react on the ball to make plays. Nwokobia is fluid in his lower half, will consistently turn & run in all directions, and can make a physical impact downhill against the run, he’ll need to clean up the missed tackles largely from poor angles and over aggression but it’s easier to tone down than tone up. Nwokobia is fun, he’s a mini rocket ship at safety, is natural in the free safety role, and can anchor a defenses secondary for a long time. He’ll need to clean up the aggression on certain concepts and keep plays in front of him (was beaten behind him easily in 2025), and also won’t be a huge impact defender in man coverage. Nwokobia has a high ceiling, but his floor is also relatively high if he translates more of 2025 film into the NFL, instead of 2024 & 2023.

Wydett Williams, Ole Miss (Consensus: Late 5th to Early 6th)

HT: 6’2 | WT: 214 | Games: 33

Career: 267 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 sacks, 7 INT, 18 PBU, 2 FF, 11.2% missed tackle rate | 55.8% reception rate (56/101), 624 yards, 3 TD, 55.4 QBR allowed

FS: 867 snaps (291 CF)
SS: 434 snaps
Nickel LB: 177 snaps
Slot Defender: 222 snaps

Williams made a rare, well not rare for Ole Miss, transfer from D2 Delta State to the SEC, and he’s continued to build his stock year after year. He’s an average athlete, doesn’t show a lot working laterally, and his initial burst/quickness is very average as well. He does show good downhill movement, his lower half is fluid, and he flies around the field despite lacking initial burst and quickness. Williams lower body work in unison, he’s shown an ability to adapt in coverage and his instincts are rather high end for his limited experience at the SEC level. He’s able to work in good range, but isn’t a true centerfield safety due to the lack of long speed. Williams is a quality depth safety, tackles well, and is a very refined prospect who shows an upside to be a spot starter in the NFL. Overall, he’s a day three name to know, especially with his fluid movements, instincts, and advanced tackling technique/instincts.

TRUE Slot Defenders:

In the emphasis of keeping this article not 200 pages long, and really helping to differentiate between the roles, I will cover the slot defenders in depth on an article coming up, the names will include more cornerbacks, but the following safeties will be mentioned: