Welcome to the BSJ 2024 NFL Draft Primer series! We will preview each position group leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit on April 25-27, with an overview of the current Patriots roster, a look at some of the top players at each position and potential targets that New England could look to target later this month. Buckle up and enjoy, as we kick off with the safeties…
Patriots Projected Safeties
The Patriots are attempting to keep their safety tandem intact headed into the new season. The team placed the transition tag on Kyle Dugger, a cap number that is scheduled to be $13.8M in 2024. All indications as of press time would seem to indicate that Dugger will remain in Foxborough, with hopes that the two sides come to terms on a long-term contract. A playmaker with the ball in his hands, Dugger accumulated 179 tackles, nine interceptions and two touchdowns over the past three seasons.
With Dugger expected back in the fold alongside Jabril Peppers, along with Jerod Mayo saying Marte Mapu will begin the evaluation process at safety, safety is not a huge need - they have pieces. An eight-year veteran, the versatile Peppers started 15 games for New England a year ago and brings a level of dependability on the back end of the defense. The Patriots also signed Jaylinn Hawkins, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons to compete for a roster spot. The Patriots could, at the very least, use a developmental free safety to give them the replacement for Devin McCourty they don't seem to have (could be Mapu, but we'll have to see).
New England Projected Depth Chart: Safety
Strong Safety: Kyle Dugger / Joshua Bledsoe/ Brenden Schooler
Free Safety: Jabril Peppers / Marte Mapu
Urgency Level: Medium Priority – Could use a true free safety, depth needed
NFL Draft Positional Overview: Safeties
The run on safeties is likely to come in the middle rounds, so New England could look for value on Day 3 of the draft to address the depth.
Many believe that there will not be a safety selected in the first round due to the lack of star power up top and also because the NFL has devalued the position in recent years. Expect to see about a half dozen safeties chosen on Day 2 and even more frequently in the final rounds, which is where the real value lies in this year's draft class.
Below is the official Boston Sports Journal Safety Big Board rankings. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back the BSJ 2024 NFL Draft Primer series.
BSJ 2024 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: SAFETIES
Note: HPFA = High Priority Free Agent | PFA = Priority Free Agent | FA = Free Agent | HPFA usually results in higher signing bonus, while FA types tend to be rookie camp/tryout types.
RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
1. Tyler Nubin, Minnesota, 6-1, 199, 4.62, Rd1
When it comes to production and versatility, Nubin has proven to be a spark plug for the Gophers. A team captain, Nubin finished his college career with 13 interceptions, along with 207 tackles. His ability to play either safety position, line up at linebacker, or in the slot, makes him a defensive chess piece that can be moved all over the field. The influence of Nubin has led to a culture change in Minnesota under head coach PJ Fleck.
“I think my leadership style is something that I can bring to the NFL and what I learned as a leader at Minnesota,” Nubin stated at the combine. “I'm a confrontational guy. I'm somebody that's not afraid to speak up when you need to but I'm also a guy that knows when to step back and learn and to listen.”
2. Kamren Kinchens, Miami, 5-11, 203, 4.62, Rd2
In terms of pure instincts, a true ball-hawk safety with 11 interceptions over the past two seasons, including two pick-six returns. He’s also a reliable open-field tackler, registering 59 tackles in each of the past two years. The criticism of Kinchens is that he ran a rather pedestrian 4.65 forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which could see him plummet in the draft.
The league made a similar mistake on All-Pro Kyle Hamilton a couple of years ago due to questionable timed speed. Based on recent draft trends, NFL evaluators have struggled mightily on how to identify when football intelligence and instincts outweigh lack of straight-line speed. Should Kinchens suddenly fall to round three, would New England consider him a possibility? He did play for Pats personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith at Miami. Kinchens shed some perspective on the impact Highsmith has had on him as a player.
“Alonzo Highsmith is [my biggest critic] and he ain't gonna hold back for nothing,” Kinchens stated. “That's just the person he is. He's going to make sure you know every little detail of what you're doing wrong. He might not congratulate you a lot unless you do something real good but he's going to keep you humble.”
3. Cole Bishop, Utah, 6-2, 206, 4.45, Rd2
One area where New England did struggle on defense was defending tight ends. In order to contend with Buffalo atop the division, the Patriots will need to find a tight end eraser. Last season, Bills rookie Dalton Kincaid gashed New England for 15 catches and 162 yards during their two contests. Ironically, the perfect man for the job might be Kincaid’s former teammate at Utah. Enter, Cole Bishop. At 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, Bishop runs like the wind and owns tremendous closing speed (timed at 4.40 at the combine with a 39” vertical jump). It was notable that he specifically referenced those classic daily battles in practice with Kincaid.
“I think my ability to cover tight ends,” Bishop replied when asked about his greatest strength. “I think I do that better than a lot of people. My versatility to play free or strong [safety] and my intelligence, I feel like I’m a smart player. Covering Dalton Kincaid every day in practice makes it a lot easier to cover other guys.”
4. Jaden Hicks, Washington State, 6-2, 211, 4.37, Rd2
Primarily an in-the-box safety, Hicks is a larger-framed defensive back who also has experience lining up in the slot. He would be a valuable backup at either safety spot, slot and linebacker.
“As a safety I’m reading everything. I like to read tendencies of the offense and what they like to do, rather than being a corner seeing the receivers release or some of their tendencies but it's more of a like every aspect of the game”
5. Calen Bullock, USC, 6-2, 188, 4.48, Rd3
A true free safety who lacks bulk, Bullock displays excellent athleticism and instincts. He does a nice job baiting quarterbacks and is a threat to take it to the house when he nabs an interception.
“No concerns.” Bullock stated, when asked if NFL teams are worried about his size. “There have been questions about me playing my whole life. I knew I was one of the slimmer safeties coming in, so there's never been any concern for me.”
6. Javon Bullard, Georgia, 5-11, 198, 4.47, Rd3
More of a hybrid defender, Bullard has split time at safety and as the Bulldogs nickel back. An asset on special teams, his value will be the ability to step in at multiple positions in a pinch.
“Depends what your team needs schematically,” Bullard replied when asked about where NFL teams view him at the next level. “Some teams need safeties, some teams need nickels. Really just that versatility, that Swiss Army Knife mindset being able to show my value to a team.”
7. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech, 5-10, 197, 4.41, Rd3
Considered to be one of the best pure free safety prospects in the draft, DTD possesses high football intelligence, along with a propensity to create turnovers. Nicknamed 'Rabbit,' the hard-hitting Taylor-Demerson compensates for his lack of size with instincts.
8. Dominique Hampton, Washington, 6-2, 215, 4.51, Rd3
A physical, aggressive, downhill strong safety, Hampton is extremely quick to read-and-react. Somewhat of a one-year wonder, coaches praise his maturity and development this past season, which resulted in 109 tackles.
9. Tykee Smith, Georgia, 5-10, 202, 4.46, Rd4
Lining up at the STAR position, Smith moonlighted between safety, linebacker and cornerback. He projects as a safety/slot at the enxty level and boosted his draft stock in Mobile, earning Defensive MVP honors for his performance.
10. Jaylin Simpson, Auburn, 6-0, 179, 4.45, Rd4
An instinctual centerfielder at the free safety position, Simpson covers an immense amount of ground. He's also a willing defender against the run and is quick to fill the gap. His smaller frame could cause him to slide.
BEST OF THE REST
Sione Vaki, Utah, 5-11, 210, 4.62, Rd5
The Utes ‘other’ safety happens to be one of the more polarizing prospects in this year’s draft. Vaki is a bit of a unicorn. Vaki came on towards the end of the season and was a fire-starter for Utah, playing both safety and running back (averaged 7.5 yards per carry)! He projects as a Day 3 prospect and is a name worth remembering.
Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State, 6-2, 216, 4.58, Rd5
Josh Proctor, Ohio State, 6-2, 199, 4.55, Rd5
Jaylon Carlies, Missouri, 6-3, 227, 4.50, Rd6
Malik Mustafa, Wake Forest, 5-10, 209, 4.52, Rd6
Beau Brade, Maryland, 6-0, 203, 4.68, Rd6
Demani Richardson, Texas A&M, 6-4, 210, 4.60, Rd7
Evan Williams, Oregon, 5-11, 200, 4.60, Rd7
Akeem Dent, Florida State, 6-0, 203, 4.46, Rd7
Tyler Owens, Texas Tech, 6-2, 216, 4.44, Rd7
Isaiah Johnson, Syracuse, 6-3, 205, 4.64, HPFA
Mark Perry, TCU, 6-1, 4.40, HPFA
Omar Brown, Nebraska, 6-6, 205, 4.56, HPFA
Daijahn Anthony, Mississippi, 6-0, 195, 4.55, HPFA
Andre’ Sam, LSU, 5-11, 193, 4.53, HPFA
Thomas Harper, Notre Dame, 5-10, 189, 4.50, HPFA
Kenny Logan Jr., Kansas, 5-10, 213, 4.52, HPFA
Myles Harden, South Dakota, 5-11, 195, 4.50, HPFA
Jaylen Key, Alabama, 6-1, 208, 4.60, HPFA
Josh Wallace, Michigan, 5-11, 185, 4.69, HPFA
Rayshad Williams, Texas Tech, 6-2, 213, PFA
Rashad Wisdom, UTSA, 5-9, 203, 4.56, PFA
Patrick McMorris, California, 6-0, 207, 4.55, PFA
Knylen Miller-Levi, Minot State, 5-11, 188, 4.55, PFA
Trey Taylor, Air Force, 6-1, 206, 4.59, PFA
Sanoussi Kane, Purdue, 6-0, 207, 4.54, PFA
Xavier Henderson, Michigan State, SS, 6-1, 203, 4.57, PFA
Reggie Pearson, Oklahoma, 5-10, 201, 4.68, PFA
Jaden Davis, Miami, 5-10, 187, 4.49, PFA
Ro Torrence, Arizona State, 6-3, 208,4.70, PFA
Al Blades, Duke, 6-0, 194, 4.53, PFA
Storm Duck, Louisville, 6-0, 201, 4.55, PFA
Jalyn Phillips, Clemson, 6-1, 204, 4.64, PFA
Alfahiym Walcott, Arizona, 6-1, 197, 4.72, PFA
Shawn Preston Jr., Mississippi State, 6-0, 195, 4.58, PFA
Keaton Ellis, Penn State, 5-11, 185, 4.47, FA
Lawrence Johnson, SE Missouri, 6-0, 201, 4.59, FA
PJ Jules, Southern Illinois, 6-0, 203, 4.53, FA
Walter Reynolds, Ohio, 5-11, 195, 4.60, FA
Justin Harris, Kutztown, 5-9, 176, 4.63, FA
PATRIOTS SLEEPER TO WATCH
Beau Brade, Maryland, 6-0, 203, 4.68, Rd6: The well-traveled Highsmith was spotted at the Terrapins pro day, where Brade reinforced his draft stock with a solid performance.
UDFA CANDIDATE
One other under-the-radar player of note is Syracuse's Isaiah Johnson (6-3, 205, 4.64, HPFA). The former All-Ivy League standout from Dartmouth owns the length and traits to make it at the next level as an undrafted free agent.
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