Summer scouting is coming to a close and although the 2027 draft class is incredibly strong, not all positions carry that strength. The safety prospects are underwhelming at the top, but the position has become less valuable in the NFL with the latest scheme trends.
Versatile defensive backs are all the rage, with players who can move around between safety and nickel corners. The top end of this safety class brings good versatility, which drives the value of those hybrid defenders up. These are my top 5 safety prospects in the 2027 NFL draft.
Be sure to check out my other Top 5 Prospect Rankings Here:
Top 10 QBs
Top 5 RBs
Top 5 WRs
Top 5 TEs
Top 5 EDGEs
Top 5 DL
Top 5 LB
Top 5 CBs
1. Tae Johnson, Notre Dame
6’2″ | 200 | Junior
Strengths
• High football IQ. Recognizes routes and cuts them off at the catch point
• Great short area burst
• Sticky in man coverage
• Good discipline, pursuit, and tackling against the run
• Lines up at safety and nickel
Weaknesses
• Dropped INTs
• Adequate, not great speed
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Complete plays for INTs. Recorded 4 in 2025, but dropped 3 or 4
• Does he fight through blockers in the run game?
• More man coverage
2. Jelani McDonald, Texas
6’2″ | 200 | Senior
Strengths
• Great athlete. Elite burst, good change of direction and explosion
• Elite closer. Attacks downhill
• Great tackler. Packs a powerful punch and solid technique
Weaknesses
• Raw
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Play deep zone. We know what he can do at the LOS
• Man coverage. Has the athleticism to do it
• Create turnovers using strength and burst
3. Ty Benefield, LSU
6’3″ | 208 | 21 | Senior
Strengths
• Great size at 6’3″, 208. Long and thick build
• Good lateral movement and hips to transition for his size
• Speed to cover ground in deep zone and close gap quickly against ballcarriers
• Aggressive in the run game
Weaknesses
• Comes in too hot to tackle efficiently. 26 misses
• Poor play recognition. Drops his receiver too late, leaving an opening in the zone
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Better understanding of route combinations
• More single-high with less route responsibility
• Break on QB’s eyes more quickly
• Break down and tackle
4. Zach Lutmer, Iowa
6’0″ | 205 | 21 | Junior
Strengths
• High motor. Chases plays from all over the field and fights through blocks
• High understanding of zone coverage and route combinations
• Positional versatility. Safety, nickel, nickel linebacker
• Great closing speed and tackling ability at high speed
Weaknesses
• Not twitchy, may struggle in man coverage
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Man coverage from slot
• Speed to cover deep?
• Can he play single high?
5. K.J. Bolden, Georgia
6’0″ | 195 | 20 | Junior
Strengths
• Solid tackler
• Understands run gaps
• Athletic build
• Can line up anywhere
Weaknesses
• Average effort
• Reacts rather than trusting his eyes
• Below-average burst/change of direction. Effort issue or hesitant?
• Dropped INTs. INTs recorded were right place right time
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Attack downhill in run game
• Use instincts in zone coverage
• Complete plays with INTs
• Higher motor
• Let athletic ability shine
More Draft Content Coming!
NFL Draft season never ends for the die-hards. Last year, Blitz Sports Media brought you our first-ever prospect profiles, big board, and mock draft simulator. 2026-2027 will be even bigger.
As I round out summer scouting position by position, the draft content will continue. My lone preseason mock draft will drop the day the regular season starts (9/9). I’ll roll out “honorable mentions”, highlighting 5 players to watch who didn’t make it into the top 5 of their positions. “My Guys” will be my flag plant for potential draft crushes of my own.
I will also provide prospect updates through posts on X and my typical NFL coverage on Blitz Sports Media.
If you’re looking for NFL Draft coverage all season long, you have come to the right place!
Make sure to give me a follow on X for MUCH more NFL & draft content @JLSports24
