2026 NFL draft: A safety for every round

The Arizona Cardinals have a number of needs they will try to address in the 2026 NFL draft. They really could go with any position during the draft.

Leading up to the start of the draft, we have been going over players who could be targets in each round.

Let's have a look at safeties.

Round 1: Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Downs is a top-10 player in the NFL draft. One analyst compare him to Budda Baker, although Downs is bigger.

Round 2: AJ Haulcy, LSU

He had 88 tackles and three interceptions for LSU in 2025 and led the Big 12 with five picks in 2024 with Houston.

Round 3: Treydan Stukes, Arizona

Stukes projects as a safety and cornerback for some. He is a more athletic and productive version of Jalen Thompson. Thompson, a tweener coming out in 2018 when the Cardinals took him in the supplemental draft, used him in the slot and at safety. He is 6 feet tall and 190 pounds, so a little bigger than Thompson, and he is an elite athlete. He ahd four interceptions for Arizona in 2025.

Round 4: Genesis Smith, Arizona

Smith is bigger than Stukes and had elite jumps at the combine (42.5-inch vertical, 128-inch broad jump). He had 77 tackles, a pick, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Round 5: Jakobe Thomas, Miami