2024 NFL draft prospect rankings: Safeties

— 5. Calen Bullock (Jr., USC, 6-2, 188)

Bullock was the No. 7 athlete in the 2021 recruiting class. He played both free safety and nickel for the Trojans, intercepting nine passes in three seasons while averaging 23.7 yards per return. He was one of just eight FBS players with at least nine interceptions and two pick-sixes the last three seasons. As a run defender, Bullock's poor recognition and bad angles were one of the reasons it seemed like every time you looked up, someone was breaking a big play or scoring a touchdown on USC's porous defense. Perhaps an NFL strength program will help him fill out his thin frame, but he's already a good athlete with excellent speed, quick processing capabilities and top-tier ball skills. It wouldn't shock me if a team targets him as a cornerback. Bullock is one of the few prospects in this class who won't be able to legally pop champagne during draft weekend. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 6. Jaden Hicks (So., Washington State, 6-1, 215)

Hicks is a two-year starter and tone-setting striker who consistently makes plays downhill. His size and athleticism could make him a capable slot eraser in the NFL. Hicks was highly-productive for the Cougars in 2023, producing 79 tackles, including six for a loss, with 2.5 sacks, six passes defensed, two interceptions (one for a TD), a forced fumble and a blocked field goal. I almost certainly would have included him in my 2025 way-to-early mock draft as a potential first-rounder had he returned to Pullman for his junior year. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 7. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Sr., Texas Tech, 5-10, 197)

The former three-star recruit at running back won the state championship in the 200 meters (21.66 seconds) as a senior in high school. He's undersized, and doesn't possess the type of play strength the position requires, but he runs like the wind and has the instincts and ball skills to potentially thrive as a nickelback. He had never played defense in his life before committing to the Red Raiders and developed into a rangy ball-hawk, who led the team in interceptions the last three seasons. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 8. Daijahn Anthony (Sr., Ole Miss, 6-0, 194)

The former no-star recruit began as a walk-on for Shepherd, earning a scholarship, before transferring to Liberty as a preferred walk-on when Shepherd's season was canceled because of the pandemic. Anthony's play earned him an opportunity in the SEC with the Rebels as a super senior, where he led the team in interceptions, passes defensed and forced fumbles. He doesn't feature premium athletic traits, but he brings the pain every time he hits someone. It sounds similar to when a batter in baseball makes contact on the sweet spot of the bat and blasts a moonshot. Projected: Rounds 5-7

— 9. Trey Taylor (Sr., Air Force, 6-0, 206)

Taylor is quicker than fast, but he features solid size for the position and an embarrassment of riches when it comes to intangibles. He was the first player in school history to win the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back in 2023. He was also honored with last season's Defender of the Nation Award, which is given to a player from one of the nation's service academies based on exceptional leadership qualities, performance on and off the field, and a high standard of integrity. Some teams might shy away based on his speed, but he's technically proficient at everything he'd be asked to do in the pros. Taylor's cousin is Pro and College Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed. Projected: Round 7-PFA

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