After looking at the top defensive linemen and linebackers in the Big 12, we wrap up our defensive breakdown by position with a look at the top defensive backs in the conference. Last season, the conference saw six defensive backs drafted, including two in the first round. The 2026 class also features a player who should hear his name called in the first round: Colorado’s DJ McKinney.
Top five defensive backs in the Big 12
1. DJ McKinney, Colorado
Preseason Grade: 1st Round
Ideal NFL Fit: Las Vegas Raiders
DJ McKinney enters the 2024 season as the top-rated defensive back in the Big 12 and the only Big 12 defender on my board with a preseason first-round grade. The Colorado cornerback combines ideal size at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds with excellent ball skills, intercepting three passes last season. He moves with the fluidity of a smaller corner and consistently mirrors receivers while making plays on the ball. The Raiders enter the season with what Sharpe Football Analysis ranks as the worst secondary in the NFL, and cornerback will be one of their top priorities in the next draft. McKinney fits that need perfectly.
2. Smith Snowden, Utah
Preseason Grade: 4th Round
Ideal NFL Fit: Tennessee Titans
Utah’s Smith Snowden is one of the more underrated corners in the conference. While NFL Mock Draft Database lists him with a consensus seventh-round grade, I have him much higher at a fourth-round value. He projects cleanly as a natural nickel corner at the next level. Snowden broke up ten passes last season and consistently challenges receivers at the catch point. He also shows the quickness and toughness needed to thrive inside. With Roger McCreary set to hit free agency after the season, the Titans could be in the market for a replacement at nickel.
3. VJ Payne, Kansas State
Preseason Grade: 5th Round
Ideal NFL Fit: Buffalo Bills
VJ Payne has been making noise at Kansas State since the moment he arrived on campus. He became the first Wildcat true freshman to start a season opener since 2006 and the first on defense since at least 1988. At 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Payne brings rare size to the safety position and moves well for his frame, showing fluid hips and top-end speed. He was clocked at 23.37 miles per hour in practice, the fastest time of any player on the team. That blend of size and athleticism gives him strong developmental upside. The Bills, who surprisingly didn’t do much to fix their struggling safety room, could target Payne if Cole Bishop doesn’t make a leap this season.
4. Jontez Williams, Iowa State
Preseason Grade: 5th Round
Ideal NFL Fit: Cincinnati Bengals
Iowa State led the Big 12 in pass defense last season, allowing just 165.6 yards per game, and Jontez Williams was a key reason why. He allowed only 37 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed and tied for third in the conference with four interceptions. To rise above his current fifth-round projection, Williams needs to improve his physicality in the run game and prove he can hold his own against bigger, stronger receivers. The Bengals, thin in the secondary, should be targeting versatile cover guys like Williams in the 2026 NFL Draft.
5. Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
Preseason Grade: 5th Round
Ideal NFL Fit: Chicago Bears
Before suffering a season-ending foot injury in 2024, Cole Wisniewski was one of my favorite FCS prospects. Now at Texas Tech, he’ll have the chance to prove himself against top competition in the Big 12. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he brings outstanding size to the safety position. What separates him from the pack is his elite ball production—he tied an FCS record with eight interceptions in 2023 while racking up 92 tackles and earning All-American honors at North Dakota State. His 2023 PFF grade of 93.0 was the highest among all FBS and FCS safeties. A smart, experienced player who’s been in college for six years and hasn’t had a B since eighth grade, Wisniewski brings both leadership and playmaking ability. The Bears could use a player like him to add depth behind Kevin Byard III, who’s on the final year of his contract, and Elijah Hicks, who hasn’t proven himself as a reliable long-term option.