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2013 NFL Draft: Safety Rankings

The top 2013 safety prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted. * - denotes 2014 prospect. ** - denotes 2015 prospect.

This page was last updated May 23, 2012. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: draftcampbell@gmail.com
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.

2012 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | NT | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2013 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | NT | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Tony Jefferson*, S, Oklahoma
Height: 5-10. Weight: 199.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2013): 1.
5/23/12: Jefferson has been a play-maker and leader of the Sooners' defense since he arrived in Norman. Jefferson was the Big XII Freshman of the Year in 2010. He started nine games and recorded 65 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions and seven passes broken up.

Jefferson was even better last year as a sophomore. He had 74 tackles with four interceptions, 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for a loss, three passes broken up and one forced fumble.

Jefferson is an excellent pass defender who covers a lot of ground in the deep part of the field. He does a good job of picking up receivers running deep and has the athletic ability to play man coverage on tight ends.

Jefferson is solid in run support. The athletic and instinctive safety has a high ceiling and could be in store for another big season or two for the Sooners. Jefferson is a difference-maker and a regular generator of splash plays.

Tyrann Mathieu*, CB/S, LSU
Height: 5-9. Weight: 175.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
5/23/12: Mathieu was one of the best defensive players in college football during the 2011 season. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, and he had a massive impact for LSU.

Mathieu plays much bigger than his measurements, and anyone who watched LSU the past two seasons can't help but see that he is a pure football player with off-the-charts instinct. Mathieu led LSU in tackles with 76 as sophomore last year. He also had 7.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two interceptions and nine passes broken up. Additionally, Mathieu served as a punt returner in 2011, averaging 16 yards per return with two brought back for touchdowns.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder has been a dynamic play-maker for the Tigers since Day 1. Mathieu compiled 57 tackles with 8.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, two interceptions, seven passes broken up and two interceptions as a freshman. He will have to clean up some off-the-field issues, but he looks like a pure football player in the mold of Ed Reed. Mathieu could move to safety in the NFL.

T.J. McDonald, S, USC
Height: 6-2. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
5/23/12: T.J. McDonald broke into the lineup as a sophomore in 2010 and had a strong debut. He led USC in tackles with 89 including three tackles for a loss, four passes broken up, three interceptions and a blocked punt. McDonald was an All-PAC-10 Second-Team selection. He had 67 tackles with three picks, two passes broken up and a blocked kick last season.

McDonald has the flexibility to play strong or free safety. He has good instincts and is a hard hitter, too. If McDonald has another good season, he could be a first-round pick. McDonald would immediately fit well in any NFL zone scheme since he been coached up by Monte Kiffin on the scheme he ran in Tampa Bay for many years.

Eric Reid*, S, LSU
Height: 6-2. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
5/23/12: Reid had a breakout 2011 season. He was part of phenomenal secondary with safety Brandon Taylor and cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu and Reid tied for the team lead with 76 tackles each. Reid also had two interceptions, two tackles for a loss, three passes broken up and two forced fumbles. He was a Second-Team All-SEC pick in 2011.

Reid stepped up and played his best football against the best competition. He had a huge game in the first contest against Alabama and was the SEC Defensive Player of the Week as he recorded six tackles with an interception and forced fumble. The sophomore safety had 11 tackles in the rematch.

Reid had 32 tackles and two interceptions as a freshman. He is a good athlete and instinctive. Additionally, Reid has good size and is a hard hitter. His job won't be easier in 2012 as Taylor and Claiborne have moved on to the NFL.

If Reid continues to improve, he could easily turn into a first-round pick.

Matt Elam*, S, Florida
Height: 5-10. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2013): 1-3.
5/23/12: Elam is an underrated college football player. When watching Florida, he really stands out as a big time presence who is all over the field. Elam was the top recruit in the state of Florida coming out of high school, and he has been validating that standing through his tenure as a Gator.

Elam earned his first playing time as a true freshman and earned even more as the year progressed. Eventually, he started in place of disappointing junior Will Hill. Elam recorded 22 tackles in 2010 with a sack and a pass broken up. He improved in 2011 and was the best player on Florida's defense. He recorded 78 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, seven passes broken up and two forced fumbles.

Elam is a fast, instinctive playmaker defending the pass in the deep part of the field. He also operates well near the line of scrimmage and is a physical run defender. Elam has a high ceiling and could turn into a highly-touted prospect in 2013 or 2014.

Robert Lester, S, Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.51.
Projected Round (2013): 2.
5/23/12: Lester had a breakout year in 2010. He was second in the nation with eight interceptions in his first season as a starter. Lester also chipped in 52 tackles with one sack and four passes broken up. He totaled 36 tackles with three passes broken up, one forced fumble, one blocked kick and two interceptions last season and was close on a lot of other potential interceptions.

With Lester's coverage and interceptions not as strong as they were in 2010, his stock has fallen from the first round. Still, he is a good overall free safety who defends the deep part of the field well. Lester also has more ballhawking skills than most safety prospects and will have three years of starting experience entering the NFL. If he has a big 2012 season, he could move back into the first-round much like former teammate Mark Barron.

Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
Height: 6-1. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
5/23/12: Vaccaro is another underrated player who doesn't receive the hype of some other safety prospects. He had 67 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, seven passes broken up and two interceptions as a junior in 2011. Vaccaro has good instincts and range. He was an All-Big XII First-Team pick.

It was Vaccaro's first full season as a starter, and he could be even better in 2012 after gaining a year of experience. He started six games in 2010 recording 56 tackles with one interception, eight passes broken up and one forced fumble.

Vaccaro is also a good special teams player.

Ray Ray Armstrong, S, Miami
Height: 6-4. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
5/23/12: Armstrong was suspended for the first four games of the 2011 season and his presence was missed by Miami. He was suspended for an additional game after outing himself on Twitter for having dinner with a marketing representative. The junior had 34 tackles with an interception and two passes broken up in six games last year.

Armstrong was a Second-Team All-ACC selection in 2010 and recorded 79 tackles with three interceptions. He showed up well against the Hurricanes' better opponents, with nine total tackles against both Ohio State and Florida State. Armstrong is fast, big and athletic. Additionally, he has tons of physical talent, but he has not translated that into a dominant on-field performance yet. If Armstrong lands with the right coaching staff, he could be a steal due to having a high ceiling. It is imperative that Armstrong stays out of trouble and productive as a senior, otherwise he could fall into the third day.

Bacarri Rambo, S, Georgia
Height: 6-0. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2013): 2-4.
5/23/12: Rambo could be a draft pick sooner than the 2013 NFL Draft as he has reportedly considered entering the supplemental draft later this summer. Rambo is appealing a four-game suspension by Georgia to start the 2012 season for violating team rules regarding drug usage.

The off-the-field concerns have been a big detriment to Rambo's draft stock, and it is hard to predict how heavily they will be weighed against him by NFL teams in 2012 or 2013.

Rambo had an excellent junior season and was one of the nation's leaders in interceptions with seven. He also had 52 tackles with seven passes broken up. Rambo is a physical player with good instincts. He has the speed to fly around the field and get in position to make plays.

If you watched Georgia in 2010, it was hard not to notice Rambo as a sophomore. The instinctive safety always found his way to the ball and was a play-maker. He totaled 82 tackles with three interceptions, three passes broken up and three forced fumbles. Rambo is a talented player who should be a starter in the NFL.

Hakeem Smith*, S, Louisville
Height: 6-1. Weight: 183.
Projected 40 Time: 4.56.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
5/23/12: Smith is a good tackler and run defender. He was a First-Team All-Big East selection last season as a sophomore. Smith had a big impact for Louisville's defense, totaled 84 tackles with nine passes broken up, three forced fumbles and one interception. It was his second season as a starter.

Smith broke into the lineup in 2010 and was named the Big East Rookie of the Year. He recorded 88 tackles (62 solo), six tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble.

Smith would be higher if he showed more ball skills and ability to pick off passes. Considering how potentially loaded the 2013 safety class is, Smith may be better off entering the 2014 draft class.

Isaiah Johnson*, FS, Georgia Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
5/23/12: Johnson has some quickness to go along with size and physicality. He had his second straight quality season in a row for Georgia Tech in 2011. Johnson was consistent throughout his sophomore season with 78 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for a loss, one sack and three passes broken up. He had 46 tackles and three tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one sack as a true freshman in 2010.

Johnson is still developing and has some real upside heading into his junior year.

John Boyett, S, Oregon
Height: 5-10. Weight: 202.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2013): 3-5.
5/23/12: Boyett had a strong junior season and led the Ducks in tackles with 108 last year. He also had one interception and six passes broken up. Boyett was a Second-Team PAC-12 pick in 2011 along with being a good special teams player. He had a huge impact for Oregon's defense in 2010, making five interceptions, nine passes batted away and 78 tackles.

Boyett is a gritty defender who has plus instincts.

C.J. Barnett, S, Ohio State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 190.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2013): 3-5.
5/23/12: Barnett made 75 tackles with two interceptions and six passes broken up in 2011. He was solid but unspectacular during his first full season starting. Barnett could make strides as a senior.

Brandan Bishop, S, N.C. State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2013): 4-5.
5/23/12: It is hard to get out of the shadow of teammate David Amerson, but Bishop has produced the past two years. Bishop had an impressive junior season last year with 89 tackles, five interceptions and a forced fumble. He had four interceptions with 66 tackles as a sophomore.

Bishop has some natural ball skills with size and tackling ability. He is a sleeper prospect who could surprise and move up the rankings with a strong senior performance.

Prentiss Waggner, S/CB, Tennessee
Height: 6-2. Weight: 185.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2013): 4-5.
5/23/12: Waggner had a disappointing junior season and didn't build off an impressive sophomore campaign. He totaled 48 tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble and seven passes broken up last year. Waggner had 57 tackles with five interceptions and three forced fumbles in 2010. That was good enough for him to be named an All-SEC Second-Team pick as a sophomore.

Waggner has played well as a center fielder in the Volunteers' defense and displays good instincts. He needs to have a bigger impact as a senior in order to be a second-day pick. Waggner has been moved around in the secondary, but in the NFL, his physical skill set is more of a fit for safety.

Vaughn Telemaque, FS, Miami
Height: 6-2. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2013): 4-5.
5/23/12: Ray Ray Armstrong gets more publicity, but Telemaque is a pro prospect in his own right. He has a nice combination of size and speed. Telemaque totaled 58 tackles with seven passes broken up and three interceptions in 2010. He also forced a fumble and recovered three fumbles.

Telemaque didn't play as well as a junior last season, and he did not stand out while Armstrong was suspended for five games. Telemaque had 59 tackles with one interception in 2011.

DeVonte Holloman, SS, South Carolina
Height: 6-2. Weight: 226.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2013): 5-6.
5/23/12: DeVonte Holloman is a tweener linebacker and safety. He didn't stand out in 2011 next to Antonio Allen. Holloman had 51 tackles with one interception. Starting 10 games at safety in 2010, he recorded 69 tackles and two interceptions.

Holloman has to decide whether to drop weight to play safety in the NFL or add bulk to be a linebacker.

Jarred Holley, S, Pittsburgh
Height: 5-10. Weight: 190.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2013): 5-6.
5/23/12: Holley has had two decent seasons for Pittsburgh. He totaled 67 tackles with five tackles for a loss, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble last year. Holley created more splash plays in 2010, making five interceptions and a forced fumble. He contributed 54 tackles as well.

Holley would fit best as rangy free safety-type defender.

Rashard Hall, FS, Clemson
Height: 6-2. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2013): 6-7.
5/23/12: Hall was inconsistent at times in 2011. He would flash on occasion and then fall quiet for stretches. The junior had 78 tackles with, one sack, one interception, one pass broken up and one forced fumble last year.

Hall had a significant drop in his production in 2010 after an impressive redshirt-freshman season. He had 62 tackles with two interceptions and two passes broken up as sophomore. However Hall had six interceptions with 55 tackles and two passes broken up in 2009. He needs to improve his production if he wants to be more than a late-round pick.

Javon Harris, S, Oklahoma
Height: 5-11. Weight: 207.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2013): 7-FA.
5/23/12: Harris started last season with a big game against Florida State, but he gave up some plays in conference play during 2011. Harris had 47 tackles with three interceptions and two forced fumbles last year, his first season as a starter. He needs to make strides as a senior.

Ohrian Johnson, S, Ohio State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
Projected Round (2013): FA.
5/23/12: Johnson had 32 tackles with three interceptions last season. He had 50 tackles with an interception and two forced fumbles in 2010. In order to get drafted, Johnson has to force his way onto the field and produce.

Buckeye John 05-23-2012 03:20 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.164 (total posts: 1)

CJ Barnett is going to be a RS JR this year so he shouldn't be on the list Or should have a star.

D forever 05-02-2012 11:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx.183 (total posts: 2)

Put Damien Jackson up against any, and I mean any of them, I will guarantee who will come out on top. The God given talent and the drive to be the best will always win.

D forever 05-02-2012 11:17 am xxx.xxx.xxx.183 (total posts: 2)

Damien Jackson, a transfer from judo, in which he led tackles and had several interceptions, went to ole miss and had an impact, won the starting positions over a senior, should definitely be considered to be a top draft pick. He was a 5th to 7th round draft pick all year.

Mitch 04-28-2012 02:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.185 (total posts: 1)

Check out Brandon Hardin... He ran a 4.36 and benched 25 reps.

SIH 04-22-2012 11:43 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.228 (total posts: 1)

That Saenz kid is a hell of a player. Watch for a late round pick up

TCC 04-16-2012 01:52 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.28 (total posts: 1)

You guys should check out Diauntae Morrow he has some great number that are comparible or better then some of those other player

Jeff 04-14-2012 07:02 pm xxx.xxx.xxx46.5 (total posts: 1)

Can't stand the ads that start audio automatically--and restart after I turn it off. Been at this site for years. I'll check back in a month. If they're still here, it's my last time.

Need to look far and wide for safeties this year!! 04-01-2012 12:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx11.2 (total posts: 1)

This seems like a weak safety class this year. Saw a kid play in the Player's All-Star Classic that looked great. Chad Faulcon...did some research - he's a Div. 3 kid, but put up great #'s this season. He balled out at the all-star game playing with/against Div. 1 players. Teams should search for good players w/o character issues and not settle for the weak crop of safeties from the big schools. Football is football -no matter the Division-check this kid Chad Faulcon out-kid looks like he can play!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz6RhJAXmVQ

tommy ;oving 03-20-2012 11:16 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.56 (total posts: 1)

638

511

What about this Nick Saenz kid from Houston..coming off a torn labrum his junior year bounced back his senior year. Smoked a 4.41-4.46 at his
Pro Day

Brett Jacobs 03-15-2012 02:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2)

I looked up a couple of these guys that everyone has been talkin about and one that stood out was that Loka Kanongataa kid. His highlight tape is ridiculous. I don't know what level he was playing at and he might have to adjust to the level of competition in the NFL but he absolutely deserves to get some looks. Good luck to him.

word up 03-06-2012 04:36 pm xxx.xxx.xxx64.2 (total posts: 1)

238

126

seriously, how is Christian Thompson (South Carolina St) not on this list? Hes very athletic and had a great combine. Should re-consider the list.

2 Small School Safeties... 03-05-2012 05:11 am xxx.xxx.xxx.106 (total posts: 1)

Kelcie McCray, Arkansas State
Christian Thompson, South Carolina State

They are very good athletes with rising draft stock. They should be on this list.

John Davis 02-25-2012 03:21 am xxx.xxx.xxx.248 (total posts: 1)

Sir Demarco Bledseo Ball hawk.... Put him on the list... Will go as a undarfted steal for a NFL team

M.A. Ramirez 02-20-2012 05:36 am xxx.xxx.xxx.142 (total posts: 1)

Update:

For those who do not know, Kenny Tate is getting a medical redshirt and returning in 2012. Thats why hes not on this list.

S. JONES 02-09-2012 05:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.197 (total posts: 1)

Janzen Jackson & Dre Kirkpatrick in Big D

Pages: 12 3 4

2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24

2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 22

Charlie's 2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 21

2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 7

2013 NFL Draft: Safety Rankings

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