Multiple Arizona Wildcats are expected to be selected in the NFL Draft, and this year they all happen to come from the UA secondary.
Cornerback Treydan Stukes is likely to be the first Wildcat to hear his named called at this week’s NFL Draft, while safeties Genesis Smith and Dalton Johnson are also expected to be selected.
The most recent Arizona defensive back taken was Dane Cruikshank, the 152nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. The earliest an Arizona DB has gone off the board
was Chris McAlister, who went 10th overall to the Baltimore Ravens in 1999.
If Stukes, Smith and Johnson are all selected, it’ll mark the third straight year where at least three Wildcats are drafted, something that hasn’t happened since 1998-2000.
Arizona had four players picked in last year’s draft and three in 2024.
Round one of the NFL Draft will be held on Thursday, rounds two and three on Friday and rounds four through seven on Saturday.
Here is a look at where Arizona’s trio of prospects stand in the final NFL mock drafts and big boards. Analysis from each site is provided in italics when provided.
Treydan Stukes
ESPN: No. 57 to Chicago Bears
Both of the Bears’ starting safeties from last season are gone, so Stukes could make an immediate impact. He has a knack for finding the ball (seven interceptions in two seasons) and can transition to free safety after playing primarily nickel in college.
NFL: No. 48
Stukes is a rangy, versatile defensive back with the ability to play outside, in the slot or as a single-high safety. He’s a little older as a sixth-year senior, but he’s very twitchy and explosive, tying for the lead in the broad jump (10-foot-10) and posting the third-fastest 40-yard dash (4.33 seconds) among safeties at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. He can find and play the ball, with seven interceptions and 29 pass breakups in his college career. He’s a reliable tackler. He receives excellent reviews for his character and intelligence, as well. Stukes possesses a skill set teams are coveting after watching the Seahawks win a Super Bowl utilizing similar players in the secondary last season.
The Athletic: No. 39 to Dallas Cowboys
CBSSports: No. 86 to Los Angeles Chargers
Pro Football Focus: No. 61
Stukes worked his way from walk-on to starter and projects best as a hybrid slot defender. While he lacks top-tier athleticism for outside roles, his instincts and playmaking ability stand out.
Genesis Smith
ESPN: No. 102 to Las Vegas Raiders
NFL: No. 88
The Athletic: No. 113 to Indianapolis Colts
CBSSports: No. 70 to Cleveland Browns
Pro Football Focus: No. 98
Smith has intriguing size and athletic traits for a single-high role, but inconsistency with physicality and play strength limits his reliability.
Dalton Johnson
ESPN: No. 210 to Kansas City Chiefs
The Athletic: No. 171 to New England Patriots
