Aziz’s 2026 NFL Draft positional rankings (defense)

4. Cashius Howell
Howell is one of the more dangerous speed rushers in the class because of his length, explosiveness, bend, and production. He can really threaten the corner, flatten, and finish, which is exactly what teams want from a modern edge defender. The problem is run defense, which is clearly below the level of his pass-rush game and limits how complete the profile is right now. Even with that issue, the pass-rush upside is strong enough that he is hard to pass on early.
Projection: Round 1-2

5. Keldric Faulk
Faulk offers versatility and can line up in a variety of roles, whether that is as a 5-technique, 7-technique, standing up, or even working inside in certain fronts. That flexibility helps his value, but the pass-rush profile is not especially convincing and the explosiveness does not consistently stand out. Too often, other defenders around him look more disruptive or impactful on the front. He still has the talent and versatility to become a capable NFL starter, but the overall ceiling looks more solid than dominant.
Projection: Round 2

6. T.J. Parker
Parker brings useful versatility because he can line up at 3-technique or 5-technique and has enough explosiveness off the line to create problems early in the rep. He is a powerful strider and does a lot of things reasonably well, but he does not have one defining trait that clearly separates him. The fact that he was not a true every-down player raises some questions, and the overall profile feels more like a jack of all trades than a player with a clear standout specialty. There is enough here to see a quality NFL starter, but not quite the profile of a top-tier edge talent.
Projection: Round 2

7. Gabe Jacas
Jacas is a tough, competitive edge defender who plays hard, fights to stay involved, and brings a dependable motor when he is on the field. He is not an every-snap player and can get influenced or beaten by option looks and offensive line movement, which hurts the consistency of the profile. He also does not bring much true bull-rush ability, so the power ceiling as a pass rusher is somewhat limited. Still, the effort level, competitiveness, and enough functional pass-rush value give him a strong chance to become a useful NFL front-seven piece.
Projection: Round 2

8. Jaishawn Barham
Barham is a versatile, quick edge defender whose background as an off-ball linebacker clearly shows up in his game. He closes extremely well, processes quickly, and looks like a smart player who is constantly thinking through the rep rather than just relying on raw talent. He is very good against the run, brings real movement skills, and has the kind of quickness that allows him to create problems in multiple ways. The projection still carries some development because of the hybrid background, but the overall profile is that of a valuable front-seven player with legitimate starter upside.
Projection: Round 2-3

9. Keyron Crawford
Crawford is a raw but highly intriguing edge prospect whose quickness and lack of wasted movement stand out immediately. The athleticism and explosiveness are real, and his best reps show the kind of upside that makes him easy to bet on. The issue is consistency. He can disappear for stretches, the instincts are still developing, and the tape does not always match the flashes. Even with that, the highs are high enough to project him as a Day 2 player who could become much more with time and coaching.
Projection: Round 2-3

10. Zion Young
Young is a high-effort, high-motor defender who brings toughness, patience, and versatility to the front. He is good against the run, continues to fight through contact, and does not allow tackles to win easily or cleanly. He also has enough versatility to reduce inside and play 3-technique in certain fronts, which adds real value. The next step in his development is as a pass rusher, where more hand usage and cleaner ways to win would help him finish more consistently. The floor is strong because of the motor and toughness, and the profile fits a reliable multi-role front defender.
Projection: Round 2-3

11. R Mason Thomas
Thomas is a thickly built edge rusher with good explosiveness and enough bend to threaten the edge, even if the flexibility is not elite. He can win inside when needed and does a nice job of creating force through the rep, though that tends to come more through power and momentum than with a deep bag of hand moves. The overall skill set gives him multiple ways to win, but there are still some limits on how dynamic the pass-rush profile can become against better competition. He looks like a strong rotational pass rusher with starting potential in the right role.
Projection: Round 2-3

12. Malachi Lawrence
Lawrence wins more with bend, power, and motor than with pure speed. He does a nice job ripping through offensive tackles, stays active throughout the rush, and has enough flexibility to work around the corner even if the burst is not elite. The concern is that some of the ways he wins now will be harder to get away with against NFL tackles, so the pass-rush plan will need to evolve. Still, the bend, effort, and enough functional power should be enough to get him drafted on Day 2 and give him a chance to carve out a real role.
Projection: Round 3

13. Derrick Moore
Moore is a solid edge prospect whose game looks more dependable than flashy. He can put together productive reps and has enough overall ability to contribute, but the lack of true explosiveness and speed puts a cap on the long-term ceiling. He does not project as a high-end twitch rusher and may struggle to become a true difference-maker off the edge because of that. The value lies more in being a useful rotational defender or complementary starter than in becoming a featured pass-rush threat.
Projection: Round 3

14. Dani Dennis-Sutton
Dennis-Sutton is a productive edge defender whose best rush comes through power, particularly with the bull rush. He has posted strong sack production, but the pass-rush profile still feels too narrow because he needs to show more ways to win and more bend around the corner. Right now, too much of the projection rests on one primary rush style rather than a complete tool set. The production is real, but the next step in his development will depend on expanding the pass-rush plan.
Projection: Round 3

15. Joshua Josephs
Josephs is a long, disruptive edge defender with strong hands and a more polished game than some of the players in his range. He can make plays, affect the pocket, and bring enough refinement to project more cleanly than a pure traits-based developmental player. He may not have the same upside as some of the higher-ranked rushers, but the length, hand strength, and overall disruption give him a chance to outplay his draft slot. He looks like a useful NFL front-seven piece with a solid middle-round profile.
Projection: Round 3-4

Interior Defensive Linemen

1. Kayden McDonald
McDonald is a true nose tackle with first-round value because of his size, burst, and pass-rush upside for a player built to control the middle. He is very good against the run, can anchor, hold his ground, and still get off the ball quickly enough to create problems inside. What separates him from a lot of the other nose tackles in this class is that he is not just a space-eater. There is enough juice and disruption in his game to believe he can affect the passer as well.
Projection: Round 1

2. Caleb Banks
Banks is one of the most talented interior defenders in the class and would have a case to be the top player at the position if healthy. He has a big frame, great movement skills, very good quickness, and the ability to stress blockers one-on-one in a way most players in this group cannot. The foot injury is the biggest issue in the evaluation and clearly hurts the stock after he missed most of last season, but the traits are high-end and the upside is enormous if the medicals check out.
Projection: Round 1-2

3. Peter Woods
Woods is a disruptive interior defender with the kind of quickness, strength, and one-on-one ability that gives him real value on passing downs. He can win inside, create pressure, and make high-level plays without needing to simply sit in the middle and absorb blocks. The grade is a little lower than the raw talent would suggest, but the profile still reflects a quality interior defender who can impact the pocket and create problems for offenses.
Projection: Round 2

4. Tyler Onyedim
Onyedim is a disruptive interior defender with quick hands, a fast first step, and a very good feel for how to engage blocks, keep leverage, and stay around the football. He consistently bothers offenses and shows more quality on tape than the raw production might suggest. He still needs to finish better in space, and the overall pass-rush game can look a little narrow at times, but there is clear starting upside here with room for growth.
Projection: Round 2-3

5. Darrell Jackson Jr.
Jackson is a large, imposing interior defender who looks the part immediately and offers more pass-rush upside than many of the noses in this class. He is still very good against the run, but what helps him stand out is that he can also win as a pass rusher and create pressure with his size and power. The main question is consistency, since he does not play a massive snap load and can disappear at times, but the overall package is strong enough to put him firmly in the Day 2 mix.
Projection: Round 2-3

6. Gracen Halton
Halton is one of the more explosive interior defenders in the class and brings the kind of get-off, closing speed, and energy that force offenses to pay attention to him on every snap. He can make big plays, commands double teams, and has the athleticism to create problems that many bigger interior defenders simply cannot. The concerns are role and consistency. He is not the best run stopper, was not leaned on as heavily in short-yardage situations, and still needs a more complete pass-rush plan. The talent is obvious, but the question is whether he can be a true every-down player.
Projection: Round 2-3

7. Christen Miller
Miller is a quality nose-type interior defender who brings size, strength, and enough reliability against the run to hold down a role early. He is a little bigger and a little better than some of the other run-first players in the class, but the profile still looks much more like a run defender than a true three-down disruptor. There is not much upside as a pass rusher, and in a class full of similar body types that matters, but the floor as a run defender is solid.
Projection: Round 3

8. Dominique Orange
Orange is a legit nose tackle whose game is built almost entirely around run defense, power, and interior stability. He has a strong long arm, does not get moved easily, and can hold the point of attack the way a true interior anchor is supposed to. The problem is that there is very little pass-rush upside here, and that limits the ceiling in a crowded class. Even so, the run-defense value is real and should make him a Day 2 pick.
Projection: Round 3

9. Lee Hunter
Hunter is a pure run-stopping interior defender who plays bigger than his listed size and wins with toughness and physicality. He can control the point of attack, stay heavy through contact, and handle the dirty work inside, but the concern is whether stronger NFL interior linemen will be able to overpower him at times. He does not project as a pass-rush threat or a game wrecker, so the value is tied almost entirely to early-down run defense.
Projection: Round 3-4

10. DeMonte Capehart
Capehart is a strong-handed interior defender with a good base, quick enough feet for a bigger body, and enough power to drive blockers back when he lands correctly. He is another nose-type player in a class loaded with them, and he is probably not quite big enough to be a true full-time NFL nose, but he does have enough strength and interior ability to fill a role. He is not an every-snap player, and the off-field firearm arrest raises real concerns that will hurt his value. Without those questions he would be more appealing, but the risk pushes him down.
Projection: Round 4

11. Zane Durant
Durant is a compact, athletic interior defender with active hands, a good initial push, and flashes that are genuinely impressive. He can swipe blockers off quickly and shows enough athletic ability to be worth developing. The problem is trust. There are too many stretches on tape where he is difficult to identify or simply not impacting the game enough. The highs are very good, but the inconsistency lowers the floor and makes him more of a Day 3 gamble.
Projection: Round 4-5

12. Kaleb Proctor
Proctor is a small-school projection with real traits and some very intriguing tape, even if the level of competition makes the evaluation harder. At his best, he shows great lateral movement, very good quickness, and flashes that look like a much higher-level player. The LSU tape is a good example of the overall evaluation: there are moments of real quality followed by long stretches of inactivity. He will probably need to add weight, and the jump in competition is going to be significant, but there is enough ability here to justify a Day 3 bet.
Projection: Round 4-5

13. Rayshaun Benny
Benny is an effort-driven interior defender with very good closing speed and a generally well-rounded game, even if there is no one standout trait that really separates him. He is solid in most areas, plays hard, and gives enough fight to project as a useful rotational piece. The issue is upside. The profile does not suggest a game changer, but there is enough here to see a reliable NFL role.
Projection: Round 5

14. Chris McClellan
McClellan does not do enough to stand out in a strong interior class. He is not especially explosive, does not play with much suddenness, and does not have overwhelming size to make up for those limitations. The profile looks more like depth than impact, and there is not enough movement skill or disruption to sell a much higher ceiling.
Projection: Round 5

15. Albert Regis
Regis does not bring enough special traits to separate himself. He is undersized for some interior roles, does not have enough speed or explosiveness to overcome that, and while the versatility is useful, the profile lacks a defining strength. He can line up in different spots and provide some depth value, but there is not much here that points to a major NFL impact.
Projection: Round 5

Off-Ball Linebackers

1. Arvell Reese
Reese is the best player in this draft on this board and has the profile of a top-five pick because he brings everything teams want at linebacker. He is long, rangey, explosive, and fast, and there are very few athletic holes in his game. He takes clean angles, rarely gets beat, can rush the passer at a very high level, and is just as comfortable playing off the ball in space. That versatility is what makes him special. He projects as the kind of linebacker who can impact the game in multiple ways and be moved around a defense rather than being stuck in one role.
Projection: Top 5

2. Sonny Styles
Styles has a rare physical profile for the position with length, range, speed, explosiveness, and the ability to cover a massive amount of ground. He was often the only true linebacker in the box and still played with the kind of tackling and coverage ability that lets a defense stay flexible around him. The instincts are not always elite, and there are some poor reads and decisions on tape, but the physical tools and overall impact are outstanding. He looks like a top-five talent because the range, versatility, and coverage value are extremely hard to find.
Projection: Top 5

3. CJ Allen (Draft Crush)
Allen looks like a true field general at linebacker and the fact that he was the captain and play caller of the Georgia defense says a lot about the football intelligence and trust level. He shows great instincts in coverage, reads the quarterback’s eyes well, and has the kind of closing speed and sideline-to-sideline range that gives him real three-down value. He always seems to be around the play and in the right spot. The one area that still needs a bit more is physicality in tighter spaces, where he can get pushed back at times and needs to play with more force through traffic. Even with that, the overall profile is that of a first-round linebacker with every-down starter value.
Projection: Round 1

4. Jacob Rodriguez (Draft Crush)
Rodriguez does not jump off the screen with rare size or elite athletic traits, but he is a very clean all-around linebacker who checks almost every box. He reads plays well, holds up in coverage, and is willing to get his hands dirty and engage with aggression when the play demands it. There are not many obvious weaknesses in his game, and that well-rounded profile gives him real value even if he is not built like the top athletes in the class. He looks like the type of linebacker who can step into a defense and play winning football because of how dependable and complete the game is.
Projection: Round 1-2

5. Kaleb Elarms-Orr
Elarms-Orr is one of the better athletes in the linebacker class and brings high-end speed, explosiveness, and blitzing ability to the position. He can be dangerous attacking off the edge or through the middle, and the athleticism gives him a high ceiling if the rest of the game comes together. The concern is instincts. He can look like a bull in a china shop at times, reacting rather than diagnosing, and there are real questions about how quickly he processes what is happening around him. He is going to be system-dependent, but the traits are strong enough to justify a real investment.
Projection: Round 2-3

6. Kyle Louis
Louis is built more like a safety than a traditional linebacker, but the movement skill, explosiveness, and coverage ability are very intriguing. He can stop and redirect on a dime, is strong in coverage, and has the kind of athletic versatility that opens up multiple possible roles. He is not at his best in muddy areas and can struggle getting through blocks to make plays consistently, which is why an in-the-box safety role may ultimately be part of the conversation. Even with that, the athleticism, versatility, and special teams upside make him one of the more interesting hybrid defenders in the group.
Projection: Round 2-3

7. Anthony Hill Jr.
Hill is at his best in space, where the speed, coverage value, and blitz ability all show up clearly. He has very good overall range and can be effective attacking off the edge as a blitzer, which adds another dimension to his game. The issue is what happens in tighter quarters. He can have trouble working through traffic and is not nearly as comfortable in the dirtier areas of the field as he is in open space. The athletic ability is good, but the projection is more limited because the game still needs to become more complete in close-contact situations.
Projection: Round 3

8. Josiah Trotter
Trotter brings strong lineage and football pedigree, and the mental side of the position clearly shows up in his game. He plays well downhill, is a thumper at contact, and the attitude and overall approach check out. The issue is how he responds when met with real size and strength. He is not always creative enough to work around or through power, so too much of the projection rests on his downhill physicality. He wins and loses with that style, but the baseline toughness and mentality are strong enough to see an NFL role.
Projection: Round 3

9. Jake Golday
Golday is long, rangey, and spends so much time operating outside the tackle box that at times he looks more like a safety than a traditional linebacker. That range and comfort in space give him real value in today’s game, especially with how much offenses try to stress linebackers laterally. He still carries enough size to function at the position, and the overall profile fits the modern style of linebacker better than the old-school box thumper mold. The range and athletic profile help him stand out.
Projection: Round 3

10. Taurean York
York wins with instincts, vision, and angles rather than athletic traits. He sees the game well, finds the football, and works hard to get to his spots, even if the overall athletic profile is below that of many players in the class. That lack of speed and range limits the role and makes him more of an in-the-box linebacker than a player who should be trusted regularly against slots or tight ends in space. Even so, instincts and vision still matter at linebacker, and those strengths give him a chance to become a starter in the right defensive structure.
Projection: Round 4

11. Deontae Lawson
Lawson is a player whose appeal begins more with the athletic profile and experience than with true linebacker instincts. Being a two-time captain in Alabama’s system carries real weight, and at the very least he looks like a high-level special teams contributor with enough range to help in space. He plays better when he can avoid blockers and operate in cleaner areas rather than when he has to consistently take on and shed physical contact. The overall profile lacks aggression and force, but the experience and athletic foundation still make him a worthwhile middle-round bet.
Projection: Round 4

12. Jimmy Rolder
Rolder only has one year as a starter, but he looks like a good in-the-box linebacker who diagnoses quickly, tackles well, and consistently finds his way around the football. He plays best coming downhill and handling run-game responsibilities, where the instincts and physicality show up most clearly. The main issue is coverage, where there is not much trust in the profile. That likely limits the ceiling and points more toward a plus special teams player and rotational linebacker than a true every-down starter, but the run-defense value is real.
Projection: Round 4-5

Cornerbacks

1. Mansoor Delane
Delane has all the tools to become a high-level NFL corner even if the size does not immediately jump off the screen. He plays a lot of press, matches movements well, and shows the kind of sharp reaction time and clean reads that allow him to hold up in zone just as comfortably. He will probably need to add some strength for the next level, but the movement skills, instincts, and overall coverage profile are strong enough to trust on the outside.
Projection: Top 15 / Round 1

2. Avieon Terrell
Terrell brings strong pedigree, smooth athleticism, and one of the cleaner all-around coverage profiles in the class. He is fluid, makes quick reads, closes well, and consistently shows good instincts whether he is playing man or reacting from zone. Despite not being the biggest corner, he stays physical and does a good job hanging with receivers down the field, even when aligned in press. The complete game, competitiveness, and coverage versatility make him one of the safer corners near the top of the board.
Projection: Round 1-2

3. Colton Hood
Hood is one of the better pure press-man corners in the class because of how sticky, handsy, and competitive he is at the line of scrimmage. He is a very good athlete, matches well in man, and makes life difficult on receivers when he is allowed to crowd and disrupt them. The issues are run support and discipline. He is not a strong form tackler, and the aggressive hands can lead to penalties if not cleaned up. Even with that, the man-coverage ability is strong enough to keep him high on the board.
Projection: Round 1-2

4. Jermod McCoy
McCoy has clear first-round talent, but the torn ACL that wiped out his 2025 season brings real risk to the profile. At his best, he has the hips, movement skill, and matching ability to play high-level man coverage, but what stands out most is the zone feel. He reads the quarterback well, gets to spots quickly, and does a nice job playing with instincts rather than just reacting late. The ceiling is high, but after a full missed season there are enough questions to lower the floor and make the evaluation riskier than the raw talent suggests.
Projection: Round 1-2

5. Chris Johnson
Johnson has the size, athleticism, closing speed, and ball skills teams want in a starting outside corner. He can play nickel or outside, and while he has enough movement ability to survive in man coverage when needed, the profile looks strongest in zone where the eyes and closing burst can take over. The feet are quick enough but not truly special, and there are still questions about whether he can hold up in press at the next level. The interception numbers are nice, but some of the production came off poor quarterback decisions against weaker competition. Even so, the tool set is very appealing.
Projection: Round 1-2

6. D’Angelo Ponds
Ponds is undersized, but the competitiveness, instincts, and quickness give him a real chance to become a top nickel corner in the NFL. He is feisty, can hang with bigger receivers better than expected, and consistently plays with the kind of energy and ball awareness that shows up on film. He is not going to win by trying to out-physical bigger players, and the run-defense profile shows some issues when traffic gets heavy, but the fast eyes, quick feet, and overall instincts are good enough to buy. The best fit is likely inside, where the strengths can shine the most.
Projection: Round 2

7. Brandon Cisse
Cisse is an elite athlete with real explosiveness, fluid hips, and movement-matching ability that should translate very well to man coverage. He has the physical tools to stay connected and mirror routes at a high level, and that is what makes him so intriguing. The concern is zone coverage, where the instincts and vision do not currently match the athletic profile. Right now, he looks best in a system that leans heavily on man concepts, though there is enough upside to believe more could develop with time.
Projection: Round 2

8. Keith Abney II
Abney projects as a competitive outside corner with good feel in coverage, strong ball production, and enough athletic ability to stay attached through the route. He looks like the type of defensive back who can win with timing, instincts, and play strength at the catch point rather than needing rare traits to survive. The profile is not built around overwhelming size, but the coverage competitiveness and overall playmaking value give him a real path to an NFL role.
Projection: Round 2-3

9. Daylen Everette
Everette brings a long frame, quality movement skills, and the kind of outside-corner profile teams continue to value. He looks like a developmental boundary starter whose best football can still be ahead of him if the technique and consistency keep improving. The physical tools are strong enough to trust, and the profile fits best as an outside corner with starter upside rather than a pure slot piece.
Projection: Round 2-3

10. Davison Igbinosun
Igbinosun is a big, physical outside corner whose game starts with size, competitiveness, and the willingness to challenge receivers early in the rep. He fits naturally in a press-oriented role and has the body type to survive against bigger NFL targets. The concern is consistency, because the traits are easier to buy than the down-to-down control, but the overall profile still looks like that of a draftable boundary defender with real starter tools.
Projection: Round 3

11. Malik Muhammad
Muhammad is a twitchy, competitive corner with enough movement skill to stay in phase and enough coverage feel to make plays on the football. He does not have the most imposing frame, and that can show up when the game gets more physical, but the coverage ability is good enough to keep him in the mix as a viable outside or complementary coverage piece. He looks like a player who can hang around an NFL secondary because the movement and competitiveness translate.
Projection: Round 3

12. Tacario Davis
Davis is a long, angular outside corner with real press traits and a frame that is easy to project to the next level. The body type, length, and developmental appeal are the selling points, and there is enough there to see a boundary corner who could grow into more with refinement. The overall game still feels more tools-based than polished, but the traits are the kind worth betting on in the middle rounds.
Projection: Round 3-4

13. Devin Moore
Moore brings length, speed, and ball skills that fit naturally in press-man coverage. He has a starter’s physical profile and enough coverage ability to stay interesting, but injury history is a real part of the projection and naturally adds risk. If healthy, there is enough here to see a rotational NFL corner with the upside to develop into more.
Projection: Round 3-4

14. Julian Neal
Neal is a late-blooming outside corner with the size, length, and strength teams want in a press-capable boundary defender. He is not a premium long-speed player, but that matters less in deeper zone looks where the length and physical profile can take over. The technique still needs work before he looks truly game-ready, but the run support, tackling, and general outside-corner build are all workable NFL traits.
Projection: Round 3-4

15. Chandler Rivers
Rivers is an experienced, productive corner whose game looks more polished than flashy. He has played a lot of quality football, given up very little, and brings the kind of technique and steadiness that can help him survive without elite traits. The profile is not built around huge upside, but it is easy to trust because of the coverage résumé, outside experience, and dependable feel for the position.
Projection: Round 4

Safeties

1. Caleb Downs
Downs is one of the cleanest defensive prospects in the entire draft and projects as a top-five pick because there are very few weaknesses in his game. He reads the quarterback’s eyes well, closes in a hurry, and consistently looks like the smartest player on the field. He can play anywhere in the secondary and gives a defense total flexibility because of the range, instincts, and overall feel for the game. It is fair to note that he played with outstanding talent in front of him, but the tape still shows a defender who sees everything early and finishes plays with high-level consistency.
Projection: Top 5

2. Dillon Thieneman
Thieneman is a true first-round safety because of the range, athleticism, and closing ability he brings to the back end. He starts deep and still finds his way into the picture constantly, which says a lot about both the speed and instincts. He can stay with tight ends, makes quality plays on the ball, and looks extremely natural in coverage. The athletic profile backs up the tape, but what really stands out is how often he finishes high-difficulty plays when the ball is in the air.
Projection: Round 1

3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
McNeil-Warren is a tall, long, athletic safety who fits best as a center-field type with the range to cover a lot of ground. He can make spectacular interceptions, tracks the football well, and creates fumbles in addition to taking the ball away through the air. He is a capable tackler, but the real value is what he can do playing from depth and covering space on the back end. The overall profile gives him legitimate starter upside as a playmaking free safety.
Projection: Round 1-2

4. A.J. Haulcy (Draft Crush)
Haulcy is a tone-setting safety who plays with real violence and looks to deliver hits whenever he gets the chance. He is clearly better in the box and as a run defender than he is in isolated coverage situations, but there are still good instincts and real ball skills in the profile. He is built well, plays aggressively, and brings the kind of physicality that can change the feel of a secondary. The limitation is man coverage, where the profile is not nearly as trustworthy.
Projection: Round 2

5. Bud Clark
Clark is long, rangy, and closes ground in a hurry. He has very good ball skills, strong instincts in coverage, and consistently finds ways to be around the football. He can make up a lot of space in a short amount of time, which helps him recover and finish plays that many safeties cannot. The overall game is strong, and while there may not be one flashy calling card beyond the range and ball production, he does enough well to project as a quality NFL starter.
Projection: Round 2

6. Jalon Kilgore
Kilgore is one of the better coverage safeties in the class and looks comfortable enough in man coverage to potentially spend a lot of time in the nickel at the next level. He has good ball skills, good size, and very good athleticism, and his best work clearly comes in coverage rather than as an in-the-box defender. He does not project as a dirty-work, downhill safety, but the value in today’s NFL is obvious when a safety can cover this well. That coverage ability is what drives the projection.
Projection: Round 2

7. Treydan Stukes
Stukes is an experienced leader on the back end whose athletic profile clearly shows up on film. The speed is real, the explosiveness is real, and the experience shows in how often he ends up in the right spot. He tracks the football well through the air and plays with the kind of comfort that comes from seeing a lot of football. The main limitation is man coverage, where the twitch and reactiveness do not look quite good enough to trust him one-on-one consistently. Even so, the athleticism and experience make him a strong Day 2 safety.
Projection: Round 3

8. Zakee Wheatley
Wheatley is a well-rounded safety who checks a lot of boxes even if he is not truly special in one specific area. He has size, length, good closing speed, enough athleticism, and the versatility to play deep or get involved around the ball. He is a good form tackler with physicality, though there are a few too many misses in the open field. He is always around the play, and that consistent involvement helps make up for the fact that the profile feels more complete than dynamic.
Projection: Round 3

9. Kamari Ramsey
Ramsey is a versatile defensive back who can line up in multiple spots and gives a defense options because of his movement ability and physical style. He is an aggressive tackler who throws his body around and plays with an edge, though that same recklessness can work against him at times. He probably settles in as a true safety in the NFL rather than a player who can consistently handle slot duties, and the back-to-back injury history is part of the projection. Still, the athleticism and versatility are real enough to keep him firmly in the mix.
Projection: Round 4

10. Jakobe Thomas
Thomas is a physical, box-oriented safety who tackles well, drives through contact, and plays with the kind of toughness that shows up immediately. He can blitz, work downhill, and be useful closer to the line of scrimmage, which is where his game looks strongest. The concern is coverage, where the profile is much weaker and limits the overall ceiling. Even with that, the physicality, experience, and in-the-box value make him a worthwhile mid-round safety projection.
Projection: Round 4-5

11. Genesis Smith
Smith is a long, athletic safety whose best football comes in coverage. He moves well, covers ground, and can carve out a role in the right system because of what he offers on the back end. The problem is that he brings very little as a box player. There are too many missed tackles, and the run-support value is limited enough that the role has to be more specialized. If used correctly, there is value here, but the overall profile is clearly coverage-first.
Projection: Round 4-5

12. VJ Payne
Payne is a tall, long safety with experience and enough athleticism to stay interesting, but the tape is not as clean as the testing suggests it should be. The timed speed does not consistently show up on film, and too often he tries to body-check ball carriers instead of wrapping up and finishing as a tackler. He is better in coverage than he is in run support, and the length gives him some appeal, but the physical style has to become more controlled and more dependable to translate. The tools are there, but the overall game still looks limited.
Projection: Round 5

3 players who can fit in Indianapolis

A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Haulcy makes a lot of sense for Indianapolis because he brings the kind of physicality, edge, and downhill presence that can eventually replace Nick Cross in the secondary. He is a hard-hitting safety who plays with real force against the run, and that tone-setting style fits what the Colts have often wanted on the back end. He is better in the box than he is in true one-on-one coverage, but there are still enough instincts and ball skills in his game to believe he can hold up in a bigger role over time. If Indianapolis wants a long-term strong safety who can bring toughness and energy to the defense, Haulcy is a very logical fit. He would be taken on Day 2.

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Rodriguez fits the Colts because he is a well-rounded linebacker who checks nearly every box, even if he is not the most explosive athlete in the class. He reads plays well, holds up in coverage, and is willing to get his hands dirty when the play gets physical. That kind of complete, dependable profile feels like a strong fit for a front office that values football character, versatility, and players who can handle multiple responsibilities. Like Allen, he likely has to be in play with one of Indianapolis’ second-round selections.

Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Young fits the Colts because he brings the kind of effort, versatility, and run-defense value that can help a defensive front right away. He plays hard, is good against the run, can reduce inside in certain looks, and does not make life easy on offensive tackles. He still needs more hand usage and refinement as a pass rusher, but the motor, toughness, and multi-role ability are easy to buy. If Indianapolis wants to address edge without forcing the issue too early, Young would make a lot of sense in the third round and could even be a strong value in the fourth if he lasts.