2025 NFL Draft: North Dakota State’s Cole Wisniewski among top safeties to watch in 2024
By John Blair
NFL Mocks concludes its month-long series on the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft with a look at this year's safety class. While not as talented as the cornerback group, the safety class features several intriguing prospects, including Kevin Winston Jr. from Penn State and Cole Wisniewski from North Dakota State.
2025 NFL Draft: One safety to watch in each conference
ACC: Devin Grant, Syracuse
A transfer to keep an eye on this year is Devin Grant who makes the move from Buffalo to Syracuse. Grant was named to the All-MAC team in 2023 after accounting for 79 tackles and five interceptions.
Big 10: Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
One of the top run-stuffing safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft is Penn State’s Kevin Wilson. Last season, he graded out at 90.6 against the run according to Pro Football Focus, and missed just 2% of his tackles.
Big 12: Shilo Sanders, Colorado
Deion Sanders’ other son Shilo has a chance to hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, just like his brother Shedeur. However, Shilo will likely be a late-day three pick while his brother has a good chance of being a top-ten selection.
SEC: DeVonta Smith, Alabama
A safety who could have a breakthrough year this season is DeVonta Smith of Alabama. He impressed Alabam’s new coaching staff in spring ball and should see a significant jump in production from last year when he only accounted for three tackles in four games.
Non-Power Four: Cole Wisniewski, North Dakota State
One of the top FCS schools in the nation in terms of both wins and developing NFL players is North Dakota State. This year the Bison have one of the top small school safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft in Cole Wisniewski. Last season, the FCS All-American had eight interceptions which led the FCS.
2025 NFL Draft Safety Watch List
Cole Wisniewski, North Dakota State
CJ Taylor, Vanderbilt
Malaki Starks, Georgia
Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa
Rod Moore, Michigan
Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
Keon Sabb, Alabama
Aubrey Burks, West Virginia
Quinn Schulte, Iowa
Cameron Smith, TCU
Jaise Oliver, TCU
DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Jaden Mangham, Michigan State
Isaac Gifford, Nebraska
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Brylan Green, Liberty
Da’Marcus Crosby, Sam Houston
Kendrick Simpkins, Baylor
Jordan Riley, Kansas State
Devin Grant, Syracuse
Maxen Hook, Toledo
Dalton Johnson, Arizona
Shilo Sanders, Colorado
Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, Colorado
Alex Johnson, UCLA
Jordan Favors, Appalachian State
Terry Jones Jr., Indiana
Jaden Voisin, South Alabama
Yam Banks, Ole Miss
Shyheim Brown, Florida State
LaMiles Brooks, Georgia Tech
Devin Neal, Louisville
Donovan McMillon, Pittsburgh
Javon McIntyre, Pittsburgh
Jonas Sanker, Virginia
Keonta Jenkins, Virginia Tech
Deshwan Pace, UCF
A.J. Haulcy, Houston
Beau Freyler, Iowa State
Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State
Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Bud Clark, TCU
Jahdae Barron, Texas
Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Cedarious Barfield, San Diego State
Jaxen Turner, UNLV
Ike Larsen, Utah State
Dan Jackson, Georgia
Jordan Lovett, Kentucky
Major Burns, LSU
Trey Washington, Ole Miss
John Saunders Jr., Ole Miss
Daylan Carnell, Missouri
Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Bryce Anderson, Texas A&M
Sheldon Arnold II, East Tennessee State
Caleb Curtain, Elon
Cameron Broussard, Sacramento State
Tanner Volk, Central Washington
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