NFL Draft safety class heating up as Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman draw All-Pro buzz

In the final installment of our position previews leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, NFL Mocks takes a look at the safety class. This group is headlined by two elite prospects in Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman, both of whom I fully expect to earn All-Pro honors during their careers.

The class also offers solid value, including Kansas State’s VJ Payne, who brings elite NFL tools. Another late-round prospect to watch is Texas Tech’s Cole Wisniewski, who, despite not being invited to the NFL Combine, has the ability to carve out a role at the next level.

Top Player: Caleb Downs, Ohio State

There’s no debate here, Caleb Downs is the top safety in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Jim Thorpe Award winner brings rare versatility, lining up at free safety, strong safety, nickel, and even contributing as a returner. What really separates him is his elite football IQ. He processes quickly, rarely makes mistakes, and fits seamlessly into complex defensive schemes. This is a plug-and-play impact defender. Expect him to go in the top ten and waste no time becoming one of the best safeties in the league.

Guy I Would Stand on the Table For: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

While Downs is the top safety in the class, he is not alone, as Dillon Thieneman is the other prospect with true All-Pro potential. Like Downs, he brings versatility, a high football IQ, and is a reliable tackler. His ball production also stands out, with eight interceptions over the past three seasons along with a 91.1 PFF coverage grade. He has the tools to be a difference-maker at the next level.

Sleeper: VJ Payne, Kansas State

A player with elite NFL tools who is being overlooked is Kansas State’s VJ Payne. He has ideal size at 6-foot-3, 206 pounds with 33 ¾-inch arms, along with top-end speed in the 4.4 range that shows up in his range in coverage. While he primarily played strong safety in college, his skill set projects best to free safety at the next level due to his coverage ability, which limited opposing quarterbacks to just a 47 percent completion rate when targeting him and allowed him to consistently match up with high-level tight ends. If he falls to Day Three, he has the upside to be one of the best value picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Non-Power 4 Standout: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

I may be a bit lower on Emmanuel McNeil-Warren than some other draft analysts, but he is still clearly the top non-Power Four safety in the 2026 NFL Draft. The PFF G-6 Defensive Player of the Year was the only safety in the country this past season to earn 90.0-plus grades in both run defense and coverage. He is a physical, reliable tackler who consistently creates turnovers, with nine forced fumbles and five interceptions over his college career. He projects as a long-term starter at strong safety at the next level.

Had a Disappointing Season: Kamari Ramsey, USC

USC’s Kamari Ramsey had an underwhelming season. He missed three games with a knee injury and one due to food poisoning, and he was asked to spend more time in a nickel role rather than his traditional safety spot. As a result, his production dipped, finishing with just 27 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss compared to 60 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss last season. His coverage also slipped, with a PFF grade of 77, down 11 points from last year. On the bright side, he was much more reliable in tackling, missing just one tackle all season.

Overrated: Treydan Stukes, Arizona

A player some draft analysts view as a second-round pick but I have graded in the fifth round is Arizona’s Treydan Stukes. The ball production is real, leading the Big 12 in interceptions per game at 0.40, and his 4.33 speed stands out, but there are clear concerns. He looks tight in the hips, which could cause issues against quick, agile receivers in coverage, especially if he is asked to play nickel, which is why I project him more as a free safety. He also has a history of knee injuries, including a torn ACL. On top of that, he is already 24 years old, which lowers his long-term projection compared to other prospects in the class.

Overall Rank

1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State (first round)

2. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon (first round)

3. VJ Payne, Kansas State (second round)

4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo (third round)

5. Kamari Ramsey, USC (third round)

6. A.J. Haulcy, LSU (third round)

7. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (fourth round)

8. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State (fourth round)

9. Treydan Stukes, Arizona (fifth round)

10. Genesis Smith, Arizona (fifth round)

11. Bishop Fitzgerald, USC (fifth round)

12. Jalen Huskey, Maryland (sixth round)

13. Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech (sixth round)

14. Michael Taaffe, Texas (sixth round)

15. Kapena Gushiken, Ole Miss (seventh round)

16. Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa (seventh round)

17. Jacob Thomas, James Madison (seventh round)