2026 Draft: Safety

[manxman2601]

This is for Manx and the Ioane fans. As Gronk once said; “Threw him out the club!”

He's the guy if we're looking for a people mover on the interior.

 

[mayoclinic]

Not sure how good of a safety he would make.

 

[Clonamery]

Not sure how good of a safety he would make.

Forget the ball, he is a people mover.

 

[mayoclinic]

Here's another people mover, for Manx:



Now I call that a Strong Safety.

 

[mayoclinic]

Not sure if I should post this in the IOL thread, but ...

 

[manxman2601]

Last year I focused in on Craig Woodson because he had the holy triumvirate for a safety - an 85 grade or better for run defense and coverage and an 80 plus grade for tackling. It's an achievement that Caleb Downs, Kevin Winston Jr and Brian Branch accomplished. Downs almost did it in all three years although he fell just below in '23 and '25. So I decided to check to see if anyone has done it this year.

There is one who I hadn't heard of before now.

Nick Andersen, Wake Forest, 5-11, 197

The knocks first - he's undersized and he's a 5th year senior. I don't know how athletic he is.

The positives

88.6 coverage grade which is borderline elite
85.6 tackling grade - 8 missed tackles which is identical to Woodson last year.
86.7 run defense grade

2 year team captain
He has almost identical snaps at free and strong safety with over 100 in the nickel too.

He's completely off the draft radar so I don't know if he's draftable but he's had an elite safety season. Maybe a late riser like Woodson or maybe he's just a high character accomplished safety who you draft in the 7th or as a UDFA. Anyway, he's an excellent tackling high character prospect so it wouldn't be a surprise if he was on the Pats board at some stage.

Two interesting guys who just missed out.

1. Marcus Ratcliffe, Texas A&M, 6-2, 209

He's a true junior so he may not declare but, he has an 86 coverage grade, 81.7 tackling grade with only 5 missed tackles and an 82.6 run defense grade. He's someone I'll keep an eye out for tomorrow.

2. Jalen Huskey, Maryland, 6-2, 201

Should we get to know him better? 88.3 coverage grade, 81.7 tackling with only 7 missed tackles and an 80.2 run defense grade.

Downs is obviously in this group with Taaffe just a little bit further behind. Taaffe's grades have dropped off since his injury so maybe he's still struggling a little.

 

[manxman2601]

If Marcus Ratcliffe doesn't declare this year, he might be an early favourite for next. He has set up a charity that sends WWII veterans to Normandy. That's pretty remarkable for someone who is probably 20 years old.

 

[manxman2601]

Jalen Huskey is a CB conversion, has 4 interceptions and a QB rating against of only 56%. Free safety?

I've just got access to all-22 tape for a large number of games so I think I'll start with safeties. There are quite a few we haven't spent much time on.

 

[mayoclinic]

Though McDonald is only a junior like Anthony Hill, his NFL prospects have been starting to blow up as of late. He's such a great athlete, and his skillset is incredibly conducive to a high-level pro safety. He's vicious against the run and has improved quite a bit in coverage this year.

If he grades out well by the NFL Advisory Committee, he'll probably declare for the 2026 NFL Draft.

5 Texas football players who probably won't be back next season

As the Texas Longhorns prepare for their rivalry game this weekend against the No.3 Texas A&M Aggies, they're also preparing for some of their top players' fina

hookemheadlines.com

Yhonzae Pierre, Monroe Freeling, and Jelani McDonald are my top 3 "ascending" prospects who I think are 1st round talents.

 

[manxman2601]

I plan to start watching safeties next week. One I'm going to be focused on is Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa. He has great size at 6'2 213lbs and according to NFL Draft Buzz, runs a 4.39 forty. He was a five star recruit who received comparisons to Derwin James coming out of high school. He hasn't lived up to that comp obviously but it does suggest there's upside to be had.

His season coverage grade isn't great at 69.4 but that comes from a poor start to the year. He has been much better in the last six games. He has an outstanding run defense grade at 89.2 though with 8 missed tackles on the year.

From Draft Buzz's pre-season scouting report:

"
Looking ahead to his NFL prospects, Nwankpa projects as a versatile safety with the potential to make an immediate impact in various defensive schemes. His rare combination of size, speed, and instincts makes him an attractive option for teams seeking a playmaker in the secondary. Nwankpa's ability to play both deep and in the box will allow defensive coordinators to deploy him in multiple ways, creating mismatches and confusion for opposing offenses.

While he may need some time to adjust to the speed and complexity of NFL offenses, Nwankpa's football IQ and work ethic suggest a quick learning curve. His experience in Iowa's pro-style defense will serve him well as he transitions to the next level. Teams running split-safety looks or those in need of a rangy single-high safety will likely have Nwankpa high on their draft boards.

As he continues to refine his technique and build on his already impressive skillset, Nwankpa has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber safety in the NFL. His combination of physical tools, football acumen, and character make him one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in the upcoming draft class.

Xavier Nwankpa Safety Iowa | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 81.3 Rank: #37 Forty: 4.39 Looking ahead to his NFL prospects, Nwankpa projects as a versatile safety with the potential to make an immediate impact in various defensive schemes. ...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[manxman2601]

What about Treydan Stukes as a safety? He’s 6’2 and 200lbs so has good size, he plays the slot almost entirely so should be able to go up against move TEs and in clip 1 below, shows some range.



He has 21 missed tackles in five years and only has 6 missed tackles on the year, less than Woodson last year. At the very least he's your backup slot guy for the next four years.

 

[mayoclinic]

Like the idea.

 

[Clonamery]

Like the idea.

Noice.

 

[manxman2601]

Like the idea.

If I see more of that, I’m sold.

 

[mayoclinic]

Very Jelani McDonald-esque.

 

[p8ryts]

What about Treydan Stukes as a safety? He’s 6’2 and 200lbs so has good size, he plays the slot almost entirely so should be able to go up against move TEs and in clip 1 below, shows some range.



He has 21 missed tackles in five years and only has 6 missed tackles on the year, less than Woodson last year. At the very least he's your backup slot guy for the next four years.

Please find a free safety with range and instincts.

 

[manxman2601]

8 interceptions in 2 years for AJ Haulcy. If you're going to play a two safety look most of the time, it doesn't hurt to have someone with coverage instincts back there.

 

[mayoclinic]

Slightly OT:

Mike Macdonald Has ‘Never Really Had A Player Like’ Rookie Nick Emmanwori

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

If I see more of that, I’m sold.

6 year senior - Manx is in love.

 

[mayoclinic]

A really good option after Jelani McDonald and Zakee Wheatley. All 3 about 6'2" 200# with range.