As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, let’s dive deeper into each position group to see where the talent and depth are.
Now that the regular season is over, the Carolina Panthers are locked into the number eight overall pick of the first round. They also have the Los Angeles Rams’ second round pick (pick 57), their own third (74) and fourth (110), the Dallas Cowboys’ fourth (113), the New York Giants’ fifth (141), their own fifth (147), the Baltimore Ravens’ fifth (164), and the Arizona Cardinals’ seventh (229). The exact number of some of these picks is subject to change based on playoffs results, and the Panthers could (and probably will) make trades involving these picks and/or obtaining others. Because the Panthers have picks in almost every round of the Draft, let’s take a deep dive into each of the position groups making up this year’s crop of players. Obviously some of these players could be listed at different positions depending on who you ask, so I tried to include realistic options for each position. For example, some edge defenders might be listed as defensive linemen on some sites. Today, we’ll look at the safeties.
High End Talent
The unquestioned top safety in this year’s draft is Georgia Bulldog Malaki Starks. Starks is already an elite run defender and tackler from the safety position and has shown more than enough coverage ability in zone. Another safety who could crack the first round is Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina. Emmanwori is another immediate impact player, though he is a much better man coverage defender. He also has an incredible size-athleticism combo, especially when you consider he used to play middle linebacker.
Depth
The next best safety on the board is Xavier Watts from Notre Dame. I don’t think he’ll break Day One of the Draft, but he’ll hear his name called in the second round for sure. He’s a ball-hawk with a lot of versatility who could potentially start day one. Penn State Nittany Lion Kevin Winston Jr is another potential Day Two pick. Winston Jr is a rangy safety who has some scheme versatility. Andrew Mukuba of Texas and Sebastian Castro of Iowa could also be taken in the second or third rounds. Mukuba has tantalizing athleticism while Castro could be an immediate sub package and special teams option.
Sleepers
One player who could fall to Day Three but make an immediate impact on a defense is Alabama safety Malachi Moore. He does not have elite athletic traits, but he is a smart and versatile player who could move around the defensive secondary. Robert Spears-Jennings from Oklahoma is a hard-hitting safety who thrives in and around the box. He’s shown flashes of playmaking ability in pass defense as well, but he has limited experience so any improvement in that area is just projection. Penn State’s other safety, Jaylen Reed, is also a physical player. Reed can be a day one player on all four special teams units. His football intelligence and versatility could let him see defensive snaps early on as he continues to develop in that phase of the game.