Over the last decade, the qualifications for playing safety in the modern NFL have rapidly evolved. Lines have been blurred from the traditional free/strong roles, and it's trickled down into the slot as well, with more teams relying on flexibility and disguise to counter the current meta offensive. Luckily for the league, the 2026 NFL Draft is providing a fair amount of talent, especially in the first couple rounds, before there's a pretty noticeable drop-off.
Even after inking Jaquan Brisker to a one-year deal in free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers could still look to add another piece to the equation depending on how the board falls. Today, we'll kick off our positional rankings series starting with safety. I would say that the top five players on this would all be prospects that could occupy starting roles as rookies in the right scheme, followed by some talented players that need development before branching off from more niche roles defensively.
Here we go.
Safety Caleb Downs at the Ohio State pro day on March 26, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The modern-day prototype for the safety position, Caleb Downs creates chaos with his quick trigger and frenetic energy, all while playing within the team construct. In coverage, Downs is a sharp processor that identifies route concepts and play designs in an efficient manner and has the man coverage chops that teams are searching for to counteract bigger targets inside. Despite lacking elite measurables, he maximizes everything at his disposal with pristine technique and ideal physicality and profiles as a foundational pillar for whoever drafts him.
Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA. — Steven Bisig / Imagn ImagesCredit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
As rangy of a safety prospect as we have seen in a long time, Dillon Thieneman accelerates to his third gear instantly with blazing long speed that allows him to wipe away would-be completions down the field. He's mastered the art of filling the run from depth with consistent run entry angles, has light feet to navigate through congested spaces in the process, and completely wrecks the screen game. Right now, he's not as comfortable in man coverage, but his high character marks suggest he'll work tirelessly to improve in that regard.
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) is tackled by Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) and Toledo Rockets safety Maxen Hook (25) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field on Sep 14, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA. — Matt Bush / Imagn ImagesCredit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
A lanky defensive back with an uncanny knack for punchouts and ripping the football away from ball carriers to create turnovers, while also being an enforcer over the middle of the field, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren's long arms allow him to blanket bigger targets in press, shrink throwing windows, and play off blocks in the run game. His feel for the box and long strides allow him to be near the ball a ton, but excessive ankle biting caused his missed tackle rate to soar in 2025, although the prior season showed a striker on contact.
Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) against the Baylor Bears at Casino Del Sol Stadium on Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona.. — Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
An explosive sixth-year senior that excels playing from depth, Treydan Stukes has the short-area burst to pounce on quick game throws underneath and the jets to cap routes on the vertical plane. Stukes played all over the secondary in college, but his best projection is in a quarters-rotation-based scheme where his risk-taking, highlighted by serious hops and timing at the catch point, can be maximized. He's an older prospect with checkered injury history but is definitely talented enough to outplay his draft projection by leaps and bounds.
Safety A.J. Haulcy 13 interception as LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. — SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A rocked up centerfielder with ball-hawking tendencies, A.J. Haulcy operates at his best with vision in the backfield where he can bait passers into ill-advised throws. His impact expands beyond the splash plays with the amount of turn-downs he forces, and he comes off the roof to make a bunch of stops on the perimeter by being a step ahead, avoiding being out-leveraged before delivering a boom. The main question surrounding Haulcy will be whether his instincts will continue to compensate for his lack of athleticism on the back end.
Safety Zakee Wheatley at the 2026 Penn State Pro Day on March 18, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
A destructive downhill safety that runs the alley with a vengeance, Zakee Wheatley squares up tailbacks before dropping his pads, and he's shown he'll blast through perimeter blocking attempts, too. Wheatley's capable of playing around or directly through blocks, making him a natural fit for box work, but his 2025 film showed notable progress as a zone coverage defender, which should help him get on the field earlier at the next level. He's certainly not fast, and ideally, he begins his career as a third safety in subpackage situations with the end goal of being an average starter down the line.
TCU Horned Frogs safety Bud Clark (21) reacts after sacking Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) during the second half of a game at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Oct 18, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU. — Raymond Carlin III / Imagn Images
Bud Clark is an opportunistic risk taker that has never seen a route that he didn't think that he could undercut with the recovery speed and catch point composure to get himself out of most compromising positions. Clark is capable of picking things up on rotation, can eliminate seam routes, or carry crossers from the post, and is willing to throw his body on the line for the cause. He's a three-time captain that coaches will pound the table for despite his slender frame that brings natural limitations.
Arizona Wildcats defensive back Genesis Smith (12) against the Baylor Bears at Casino Del Sol Stadium on Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA. — Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn ImagesCredit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
A fluid free safety with oily hips and effortless overall movement skills, combined with a consistent approach to playing the football in the air via high point or playing through the hands of the receiver, Genesis Smith can click and close from off coverage with clean footwork and eye-popping short-area burst, while playing penalty-free football. This is one of the most straightforward evaluations in the entire draft, with organizations trying to decipher how much they value range and playmaking over flexibility and physicality at this position.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Bell: Ranking Top 8 Safeties in 2026 NFL Draft Class
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