TOP 5 SAFETIES
1. Jamal Adams – LSU – Junior – 6-0, 214 – 4.43
When you hear draft experts talk about getting the best “football players” on your team, Adams is one of the guys they’re talking about. He’s aggressive, athletic, loves the game, loves to tackle and is a leader on and off the field. He deserves to go as high as a team will take him – which could very well be Top 10.

2. Malik Hooker – Ohio State – Junior – 6-1, 206
Where Adams may take the cake for the safety prospect that has the highest floor (safest prospect), Hooker has the highest ceiling. We’ve heard the Ed Reed and Sean Taylor comparisons with Hooker, and those shouldn’t be thrown around for anyone – Hooker isn’t “just anyone”. He’s a free safety with rare range and coverage skills. He’s another Top 10 player.

3. Budda Baker – Washington – Junior – 5-10, 195 – 4.45
Baker is a player who has been overlooked in this class. Most thought of him as a second round pick because of his size, but people in the NFL reminded them that this is another one of those very talented, all-around football players. Baker can do it all as a strong safety or a nickel corner.

UConn S Obi Melifonwu – Photo by: Getty Images

4. Obi Melifonwu – UConn – Senior – 6-4, 224 – 4.40
Obi Melifonwu was thought to be a nice prospect, but a third or fourth round player at the most before he blew up the Combine with a 44-inch vertical jump, 141-inch vertical jump and a 4.4-flat 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. Though his instincts are sometimes shaky, with that athleticism, someone will take a chance early on.

5. Marcus Williams – Utah – Senior – 6-1, 202 – 4.56
After Hooker, Williams is the top free safety in this draft. He’s a pretty mistake free player who understands the game and lets it come to him. He’s patient in his tackles and when to attack the ball, and those instincts are always coveted. He’ll go in Day 2.

BEST OF THE REST
6. Marcus Maye – Florida – Senior – 6-0, 210 – 4.52
Out of the “best of the rest” category Marcus Maye is probably the most coveted. He struggled early on in his career, but during both his junior and senior years, he show much improved football IQ and instincts for the safety position. He can help in the box and make plays in coverage.

7. Josh Jones – N.C. State – Senior – 6-1, 220 – 4.41
Jones has prototypical size and speed, and he showed that with a blazing 4.41 40-yard dash at 220 pounds. He’s an aggressive player who can play the centerfield free safety role and cover a lot of ground.

8. Eddie Jackson – Alabama – Senior – 6-0, 201
Jackson was the starting strong safety and punt returner for the Crimson Tide. He showed very good range for a player who hits as much as he does, and isn’t a boom or bust payer in coverage, either. He’s pretty reliable. He’s a little thin, but still aggressive and doesn’t let that affect his play.

9. Justin Evans – Texas A&M – Senior – 6-0, 199
Evans is the next heavy hitter in this class. He has a highlight tape full of big hits that include Heisman trophy winner, and a player who out-weighs him by nearly 50 pounds, Derrick Henry. He’s not as good in coverage as Jackson, but he can lay the wood.

Louisiana Tech S Xavier Woods – Photo courtesy of La Tech

10. Xavier Woods – LA Tech – Senior – 5-11, 197 – 4.51
Xavier Woods might just be the hidden gem of this safety class. Coming from a small school like LA Tech, it’s hard to get noticed for a position that really doesn’t give out too many stats. But Woods has produced his entire career with big hits and big take aways.

11. Tedric Thompson – Colorado – Senior – 6-0, 204 – 4.60
Thompson has very nice instincts for the position, just not as much athleticism as the guys at the top. He knows how to read an offense and the quarterback’s eyes to bait throws and create take aways.

12. Delano Hill – Michigan – Senior – 6-0, 217 – 4.47
Hill was a player who played both safety and cornerback for the Wolverines during his career. He’s not really fluid enough to play corner too much in the NFL, but he has a strong build and can get physical with both tight ends and receivers in coverage.

Click the next page to see who our “Bucs’ Best Bets” are for Tampa Bay from this list.