2026 Draft: Safety

[mayoclinic]

Downs
Thieneman
Wheatley
Ferrell

 

[manxman2601]

Downs
Thieneman
Wheatley
Ferrell

I think I'll end up with Wheatley and Thienemann in the same tier for now. Wheatley has 2" on Thieneman and that's quite appealing, particularly when it comes to defending TEs. It's nice to be able to improve our options.

 

[mayoclinic]

Shhhh, again.

Rod Moore, Xavier Scott, and Tao Johnson other possibilities with speed and range.

Hoping other teams love Kamari Ramsey, Genesis Smith, Jalon Kilgore, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, and AJ Haulcy. All good players, just different skill sets.

This safety class is loaded and deep. In comparison, Craig Woodson was the 7th safety taken at 106 overall:

27. Malachi Starks
35. Nick Emmanwori
62. Andrew Mukuba
82. Kevin Winston
92. Jonas Sanker
96. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
106. Craig Woodson, Cal

 

[manxman2601]

Michael Taaffe, Texas, 6-0, 189

The size and his lack of elite speed are issues (estimated at 4.55), but if you're looking for a 'Vrabel guy', he certainly fits the bill.

Craig Woodson grades 2024

88.6 coverage, 85.6 run defense, 84.1 tackling. Only 8 missed tackles, 8.6% missed tackle percentage

Michael Taaffe grades 2025 so far

86.7 coverage, 91.1 run defense, 91.2 tackling. Zero missed tackles

And to see why I consider him a 'Vrabel guy', check out his strengths:

Scouting Report: Strengths​

• Cerebral processor who diagnoses route combinations pre-snap and adjusts coverage shells with veteran savvy rarely seen in collegiate safeties
• 
  
• Quick-trigger ball hawk in zone coverage with exceptional route recognition skills and anticipatory breaks on underneath throws
• 
  
• Seamlessly transitions from backpedal to plant-and-drive downhill with controlled acceleration and balanced tackling position
• 
  
• Showcases physicality at catch points, timing contact to disrupt passing windows, though drew controversy for a borderline targeting non-call in the CFP quarterfinal against Arizona State
• 
  
• Cornerback-caliber man coverage technique against tight ends and running backs, mirrors with patient footwork and maintains leverage
• 
  
• Special teams demon with verified production as both gunner and punt block specialist - showed dog mentality fighting through multiple blockers
• 
  
• Film junkie with clear command of defensive adjustments, repeatedly seen communicating coverage rotations pre-snap
• 
  
• Natural hands with ball-tracking ability on vertical routes, capable of playing through receiver's hands without drawing flags

Michael Taaffe Safety Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 85.5 Rank: #10 Forty: 4.55 Taaffe brings second-round value through his elite pattern-matching instincts and proven special teams production. His route recognition and anticipatory c...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

The size and speed concern me, but the production and football smarts along with his special teams acumen put him on my board. Probably 3rd round or later.

 

[manxman2601]

A strong safety class or a safety class that’s strong?

 

[mayoclinic]

Was just going to post these:

 

[manxman2601]

Was just going to post these:

McNeil-Warren is Brugler's safety no 2 I believe.

 

[manxman2601]

In his last 11 games, Bray Hubbard has 6 picks and 2 forced fumbles.

 

[manxman2601]

Thieneman's run defense has been a concern this year



OTOH, watching the Texas/Oklahoma game, Michael Taaffe's tackling has been awesome. He might be a bit too similar to Woodson, but he's absolutely a Vrabel type guy.

 

[manxman2601]

The Safety 75-75-75-5 club at the half way point.

PFF Grades

75 run defense
75 Tackling
75 Coverage
5 or fewer missed tackles

Before you scoff, this is how I got on to Craig Woodson last year.

Sorted by coverage grade

Bishop Fitzgerald, USC - 91 coverage, 76 run, 89 tackle - 1 missed tackle
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo - 91, 86, 82 - 3
Michael Taaffe, Texas - 89, 91, 91 - 1
Jalen Huskey, Maryland - 89, 79, 73 - 5 (close enough)
Zakee Wheatley, Penn State - 80, 88, 86 - 3
Kamari Ramsey, USC - 79, 70, 86 - 0 (close enough)
Caleb Downs, Ohio St. - 78, 79, 82 - 4




Close but no cigar

AJ Haulcey, LSU - 86, 73, 71 - 5
Genesis Smith, Arizona - 84, 70, 72 - 6
Amare Ferrell, Indiana - 77, 69, 76 - 2


There were some others who made the club but I left them off because I haven't heard about them in the context of the draft and they don't appear on the PFF big board.

Dillon Thieneman missed out because of a below average run defense grade otherwise he'd have made it. Bray Hubbard misses out because of a below average tackling grade and high missed tackle rate.


Michael Taaffe looks to be Craig Woodson 2.0. Exceptionally high grades across the board, rarely misses tackles and has a reputation for being a super smart communicator. He's perhaps a bit too similar. If I was looking for ideal complimetary pieces to Woodson from this list, Fitzgerald and Wheatley would probably top my list.

 

[mayoclinic]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25248468-nfl-draft-2026-scouting-report-ohio-state-s-caleb-downs

 

[manxman2601]

Leading Safeties man coverage v zone coverage

This post was inspired by a play I saw on twitter in which the Patriots played a cover-zero in which the outside corners only played man if the WR they were covering but played zone on any in-breaking routes. So it got me thinking about man v zone abilities for safeties.

Here's the list. In order of PFF ranking.

Caleb Downs - 91 man coverage/55 zone (that low zone grade surprised me) (10.8 missed tackle %))
Rod Moore - (coming back from injury, only 3 games)
AJ Haulcey - 67/88 (12.5%)
Dillon Thieneman - 66/86 (13.8%)
Kamari Ramsey - 79/69 (0%)
Keon Sabb - 75/73 (15.8%)
Earl Little Jr - 77/65 (18.6%)
Zakee Wheatley - 77/76 (6.3%)
Tao Johnson - (terrible pass coverage grade so didn't bother)
Isaac Smith - 78/82 (10.5%)
Michael Taaffe - 81/86 (2.4%)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - 46/93 (9.7%)
Jalen Stroman - 42/80 (4.5%)
Gerald Kilgore - 90/77 (15.6%)
Bray Hubbard - 87/76 (17.1%)

Two that aren't ranked high on PFF's big board but that really standout

Bishop Fitzgerald - 89/89 (3%)
Antonio Watts (Louisville) - 91/79 (26.3%)
Genesis Smith - 84/70 (12.8%)
Amare Ferrell - 65/69 (10%)

I think that if you're looking for a deeper safety to compliment Craig Woodson, zone coverage is more important. If you are looking for a safety that can cover a TE in man from the slot, man coverage is obviously more important.

Michael Taaffe and Bishop Fitzgerald are starting to look better and better to me. Taaffe is becoming one of my favourite options. I need to find out more about Louisville safety Antonio Watts.

 

[manxman2601]

I've updated the above with missed tackle percentages too.

 

[mayoclinic]

So Bishop Fitzgerald, Michael Taaffe and Zakee Wheatley are solid in both man and zone, with low missed tackle rates.

 

[manxman2601]

So Bishop Fitzgerald, Michael Taaffe and Zakee Wheatley are solid in both man and zone, with likely missed tackle rates.

Where I stand on some of these guys.

1. Caleb Downs - very disappointed in his zone rating. If you want someone playing closer to the LoS and covering TEs, he's your guy. Single high? Not so sure.
2. Dillon Thieneman - Excellent single high but exclusively so.
3. Kamari Ramsey - Has been playing almost exclusively in the slot this year so I'm not sure about him.
4. Zakee Wheatley - Probably still my favourite option as he's good in every aspect and gets my nod because of his athleticism.
5. Michael Taaffe - My 2nd favourite now. My only question mark is his athleticism. Will wait for the combine on that but he's pretty much perfect aside from that.It's very close with Wheatley.
6. Bishop Fitzgerald - Excellent single high option but he's only 5'11" which worries me a little.
7 AJ Haulcey - Want to see that missed tackle rate come down.

 

[mayoclinic]

Agree with you on Wheatley. aim not sure Taaffe is athletic enough to be nearly as successful in the NFL. Still interested in Thieneman, Ferrell, Moore, the latter 2 day 3. Ramsey a possibility, need more eval.

 

[stelfans]

Leading Safeties man coverage v zone coverage

This post was inspired by a play I saw on twitter in which the Patriots played a cover-zero in which the outside corners only played man if the WR they were covering but played zone on any in-breaking routes. So it got me thinking about man v zone abilities for safeties.

Here's the list. In order of PFF ranking.

Caleb Downs - 91 man coverage/55 zone (that low zone grade surprised me) (10.8 missed tackle %))
Rod Moore - (coming back from injury, only 3 games)
AJ Haulcey - 67/88 (12.5%)
Dillon Thieneman - 66/86 (13.8%)
Kamari Ramsey - 79/69 (0%)
Keon Sabb - 75/73 (15.8%)
Earl Little Jr - 77/65 (18.6%)
Zakee Wheatley - 77/76 (6.3%)
Tao Johnson - (terrible pass coverage grade so didn't bother)
Isaac Smith - 78/82 (10.5%)
Michael Taaffe - 81/86 (2.4%)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - 46/93 (9.7%)
Jalen Stroman - 42/80 (4.5%)
Gerald Kilgore - 90/77 (15.6%)
Bray Hubbard - 87/76 (17.1%)

Two that aren't ranked high on PFF's big board but that really standout

Bishop Fitzgerald - 89/89 (3%)
Antonio Watts (Louisville) - 91/79 (26.3%)
Genesis Smith - 84/70 (12.8%)
Amare Ferrell - 65/69 (10%)

I think that if you're looking for a deeper safety to compliment Craig Woodson, zone coverage is more important. If you are looking for a safety that can cover a TE in man from the slot, man coverage is obviously more important.

Michael Taaffe and Bishop Fitzgerald are starting to look better and better to me. Taaffe is becoming one of my favourite options. I need to find out more about Louisville safety Antonio Watts.

Awesome job as usual manx.

Taaffe stood out me a few weeks ago when I was watching hill because of his impeccable tackling. Apparently people rave about his character and communication. I’m not as worried with his athleticism, as we just saw this defense can play with 2 stronger safeties. I agree with your earlier post about him being a vrabel type of player.

He’s moving up my board. I was disappointed with what I saw from Thieneman this week, his tackling is really poor.

 

[Clonamery]

Thieneman's run defense has been a concern this year



OTOH, watching the Texas/Oklahoma game, Michael Taaffe's tackling has been awesome. He might be a bit too similar to Woodson, but he's absolutely a Vrabel type guy.

Good on Hemby for getting his pad level lower.

 

[manxman2601]

Awesome job as usual manx.

Taaffe stood out me a few weeks ago when I was watching hill because of his impeccable tackling. Apparently people rave about his character and communication. I’m not as worried with his athleticism, as we just saw this defense can play with 2 stronger safeties. I agree with your earlier post about him being a vrabel type of player.

He’s moving up my board. I was disappointed with what I saw from Thieneman this week, his tackling is really poor.

I think Taaffe works for us because we're not limited to a particular scheme in coverage and like Woodson, he's versatile. Being a "special teams demon" and a Vrabel-like player clearly adds value as far as the Patriots are concerned. Wheatley and Taaffe are my two favourite options at safety currently.

 

[manxman2601]

Thanks to Mayo’s Kage Casey bombardment, I found this scouting report on Zakee Wheatley. TLDR 2nd round grade and Kyle Hamilton comp.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25250463-nfl-draft-2026-scouting-report-penn-state-s-zakee-wheatley