- Georgia‘s Malaki Starks ought to nonetheless be the category’ high security: Prospect fatigue appears to be plaguing evaluators with Starks, however he stays a top-20 participant on PFF’s large board as one of many class’ finest total defenders.
- Don’t neglect about Penn State‘s Kevin Winston Jr.: The second-ranked security on PFF’s large board earned an 89.2 PFF total grade as only a true sophomore in 2023 earlier than coping with an injury-shortened 2024 marketing campaign.
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It’s simple to miss the 2025 NFL Draft’s security class — or any draft’s security class, for that matter.
Understanding a security group takes time; scouting stories require extra than simply watching highlights to know what a participant does nicely. There are numerous “boring” performs the place the security isn’t very concerned. But in between that lack of motion, you discover a security’s true strengths and weaknesses that may translate to an impactful NFL participant.
The 2025 security class is best than you would possibly suppose. Here is how I imagine it stacks up.
Malaki Starks, Georgia
It appears like a sizzling take these days, however I nonetheless imagine in Malaki Starks as a first-round security — and at the same time as among the finest defenders within the class.
He was extra up-and-down in his PFF protection grades and catches allowed in 2024 than most well-liked, particularly from the slot, however his work as a free security and in house was nonetheless particular and of an NFL caliber. He won’t be as twitchy as you need from a slot defender, however at the very least he has the taking part in expertise there and isn’t a legal responsibility, even when he offers up some separation and catches. That is greater than OK, for my part, due to how good he’s in house on the backend.
When requested to cowl deep, he has a wonderful really feel for when and the place to float to warrant no-throws or make performs on the ball. He can also be a really dependable tackler from depth, which is hard to do. His missed deal with share was beneath 10% in every of his three years as a starter.
I received’t get prospect fatigue with Starks. He is a top-20 participant on my board.
After Starks, we now have some enjoyable prospects with potential Pro Bowl ceilings within the NFL.
Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
The second-ranked security on my board is Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr. He was one of many high defensive gamers on my preseason large board, as soon as once more proper behind Starks, due to tape that earned him an 89.2 PFF total grade as only a true sophomore in 2023. But he performed in simply two video games this previous season attributable to an ACL damage — and didn’t grade nicely in these outings.
Winston is unpolished with some aggressive paths to the ball, and he’s late to acknowledge receiver routes and the place the ball is. However, these solely make up a handful of reps every recreation. The relaxation present nice burst, robust tackling and a heightened skill to make performs on the ball from depth.
Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Andrew Mukuba’s 2024 tape is straightforward to like. He is undersized at 5-foot-11 and 186 kilos (simply 14th percentile for weight for the place), however man, can he fly across the discipline. He is relentless in his pursuit of the ball, giving himself the most effective probability to make a play. He will not be shy with regards to contact regardless of his smaller construct. His eyes are additionally NFL-ready at studying the quarterback and anticipating. If you’ll be able to abdomen potential damage considerations together with his smaller body, you’ll love what he brings to the desk.
Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Xavier Watts is among the extra completed ball-hawking safeties. His 13 interceptions over the previous two seasons have been probably the most in faculty soccer, and he was the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2023, which is awarded to the most effective defensive participant within the nation.
The Notre Dame product is a risk-taker in how he approaches protection and tackling. His routes to the ball are aggressive, and you need to be OK with him freelancing a bit in order for you him to have the possibility to make these impression performs. A defensive coordinator who can preserve Watt’s confidence to take action will assist develop him into an impactful free security within the NFL.
Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Some may be shocked to see Emmanwori on this record — and never the earlier two — after his alien-like NFL Scouting Combine efficiency the place he was an Eightieth-percentile participant or higher in top, weight, size, 40-yard sprint time, vertical leap, broad leap and bench press. But not all of that measurement, velocity and energy interprets in impactful methods for him but, and he stays a little bit of a projection — although one who could make some large performs.
His finest work appears to come back when he can function in house, although he does have a harder time flipping the hips earlier than he can activate the jets. Emmanwori’s measurement is spectacular, however he shies away from full contact greater than you’d like. He may be very proficient however will not be a plug-and-play prospect.
Craig Woodson, California
Speaking of mix standouts, Cal’s Craig Woodson recorded a 4.45-second 40-yard sprint and a 10-foot-7 broad leap at a Fiftieth-percentile top and weight for the place. That athleticism exhibits up on tape, as he earned an 88.6 PFF protection grade as a deep security in 2024. It’s powerful to seek out guys who can actually play in single-high Cover 1 or Cover 3 assignments, however Woodson can. I like him as an early Day 3 deep security who might develop right into a starter.
Jonas Sanker, Virginia
Sanker is a heat-seeking missile. There are occasions when he seems smaller on tape, however that’s merely attributable to his compact construct. In actuality, his near-6-foot-1 top and 205-pound weight are nicely above the Fiftieth percentile for the place. The better part is that he’ll make opponents really feel it as somebody who likes to hit. He is quick to the ball and comes downhill with dangerous intentions. He is overaggressive or overpursues the ball on some performs, however you need to stay with it in order for you him to play free and quick.
R.J. Mickens, Clemson
Mickens’ father was an All-American at Texas A&M and performed for 10 NFL seasons after being chosen within the third spherical of the 1996 draft by the New York Jets. His son now has an identical draft vary as an skilled, dependable security. Mickens’ lengthy arms are useful in 3 ways: breaking apart passes, hand preventing in man protection from the slot and tackling reliably. He is so affected person and essentially sound with regards to stopping ball carriers. His high-waisted construct makes flipping his hips in deep protection extra taxing, however with regards to downhill work, coaches will love him.
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Ransom has positional versatility from the security spot as a mid-round security participant. He can play in single-high alignments, the slot and the field. He earned an 82.7 PFF total grade this previous season whereas taking part in 482 snaps at free security and 230 within the field. But he does his finest work when working downhill. He doesn’t have the most effective straight-line velocity and high gear for deep protection, however his acceleration and change-of-direction work are fairly easy. Maybe he does not boast an All-Pro ceiling, however he has starting-caliber potential.