Every safety in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results
Every safety in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypothetical. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real.
Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top. In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends.
Safety is one of the thinner position groups in this draft. Not to say it's without depth or quality players after the first round. Caleb Downs and Emmanuel McNeill-Warren should come off in the first round.
Dillon Thieneman, AJ Haulcy could even sneak into that top 50 conversation. This group will have projected or eventual starters into the fifth round.
Best available Safety in 2026 NFL Draft
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range | Pick | Team |
| Caleb Downs | Ohio State | 6'0 | 205 | Top 15 | 11 | Cowboys |
| Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | Toledo | 6'2 | 202 | Rd 1-2 | 58 | Browns |
| Dillon Thieneman | Oregon | 6'0 | 205 | Rd 2-3 | 25 | Bears |
| AJ Haulcy | LSU | 6'0 | 222 | Rd 2-3 | 78 | Colts |
| Kamari Ramsey | USC | 6'0 | 205 | Rd 2-3 | 141 | Texans |
| Zakee Wheatley | Penn State | 6'2 | 202 | Rd 2-4 | 151 | Panthers |
| Bud Clark | TCU | 6'2 | 190 | Rd 2-4 | 64 | Seahawks |
| Michael Taaffe | Texas | 6'0 | 201 | Rd 2-4 | 158 | Dolphins |
| Jalon Kilgore | S. Carolina | 6'1 | 211 | Rd 3-5 | 167 | Bills |
| Genesis Smith | Arizona | 6'2 | 204 | Rd 3-5 | 131 | Chargers |
| Jalen Stroman | Notre Dame | 6'1 | 201 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Cole Wisniewski | Texas Tech | 6'4 | 220 | Rd 3-5 | 244 | Eagles |
| Bishop Fitzgerald | USC | 5'11 | 205 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Isaiah Nwokobia | SMU | 6'1 | 205 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Robert Spears-Jennings | Oklahoma | 6'0 | 213 | Rd 3-5 | 224 | Steelers |
| Lorenzo Styles Jr | Ohio State | 6'1 | 195 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Jalen Catalon | Missouri | 5'10 | 200 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| VJ Payne | Kansas State | 6'3 | 208 | Rd 4-6 | 228 | Jets |
| Louis Moore | Indiana | 5'11 | 200 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Jakobe Thomas | Miami | 6'2 | 200 | Rd 4-6 | 98 | Vikings |
| Xavier Nwankpa | Iowa | 6'2 | 213 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Austin Brown | Wisconsin | 6'1 | 215 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| DeShon Singleton | Nebraska | 6'3 | 210 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Jalen Huskey | Maryland | 6'2 | 201 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Ahmaad Moses | SMU | 5'10 | 205 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Gunner Maldonado | Kansas State | 5'11 | 193 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Kendal Daniels | Oklahoma | 6'5 | 242 | Rd 5-7 |
2026 NFL Draft social media reactions to Safety selections
Welcome to #BroncosCountry, Miles Scott! pic.twitter.com/jFCy1mCotS— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 25, 2026
Cole makes it 9️⃣ Red Raiders selected as he's headed to Philly‼️#WreckEm x #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/t6f9yVo1za— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) April 25, 2026
The Jets select Kansas State's VJ Payne in the 7th round of the NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/OXwctAOVOt— Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 25, 2026
With the 224th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, we select S Robert Spears-Jennings. pic.twitter.com/A5nzNJ2H0F— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 25, 2026
Jalon Kilgore, you are a Buffalo Bill. @JalonKilgore x @GamecockFBpic.twitter.com/4vdqNSJXzv— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 25, 2026
Another Longhorn coming to Miami 🤘
With the 158th pick, we have selected Michael Taaffe from @TexasFootballpic.twitter.com/TuKTK9ZZOz— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 25, 2026
With the 151st pick in the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select:
Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
LETS GO!!! WELCOME TO CAROLINA ‼️#KeepPounding#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/MhQ9CoUq8g— SleeperPanthers (@SleeperCarolina) April 25, 2026
FIGHT ON ✌️ pic.twitter.com/qFylS3jw4t— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 25, 2026
lock ‘em in pic.twitter.com/wweoOv5SZA— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 25, 2026
JC to KC. @JadonC28__ goes to the @Chiefs in the fourth round! #ProDucks x #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/N8Y2vfhvjV— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) April 25, 2026
All about the 🙌
The #Vikings have selected @jakobethomas2. pic.twitter.com/SifrlioF0Q— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 25, 2026
THERE'S A LOT OF NEGATIVITY ABOUT THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS..
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS MAKE IT DISAPPEAR..
THE FUTURE IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS..
THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS SELECT AJ HAULCY OUT OF LSU pic.twitter.com/lGB8H2FuE2— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 25, 2026
🚨🚨 The Seattle #Seahawks select S Bud Clark with the 64th overall pick #nfldraftpic.twitter.com/csN3CN3BTo— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 25, 2026
Lakewood’s own Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was picked by the Cleveland Browns with the 59th pick in the NFL Draft. @Lakewoodhsfbpic.twitter.com/YTTR5vfyKp— Mark Skol, Jr. (@markskoljrTV) April 25, 2026
Dillon Thieneman knows he brings the speed to that @ChicagoBears secondary.
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/LILEeEa0hB— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
The @DallasCowboys trade up one spot and select Caleb Downs from @OhioStateFB!
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/ubeysZbfXy— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network-- available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
More 2026 NFL Draft news:
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