— 10. Tyler Owens (Sr., Texas Tech, 6-2, 216)

Owens was the No. 9 safety in the 2019 recruiting class and an accomplished track athlete in high school — he was No. 29 on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" in 2023. After playing primarily on special teams his first two seasons with Texas, Owens entered the transfer portal in a search of more playing time. He's only started 12 games in five seasons, but he features the type of rare size/speed combo defensive coaches salivate over. He's also been elite on special teams with 10 career tackles and two blocked punts. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Beau Brade (Sr., Maryland, 6-0, 203)

Brade was a backup and played special teams until his junior season. As a two-year starter, he produced 170 tackles, 14 passes defensed, eight tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three interceptions for a program known for producing solid defensive backs. The two-time All-Big Ten honoree led the Terrapins in tackles both seasons and was voted team captain in 2023. Brade possesses adequate athleticism to compete in the pros. He is a capable run defender and doesn't fall for a quarterback's tricks in coverage. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Tykee Smith (Sr., Georgia, 5-10, 202)

The former three-star recruit earned All-American honors his first two seasons at West Virginia before transferring to Athens. A broken foot and torn ACL cost him most of his first season with the Bulldogs. Smith started at nickel last season, earning second-team All-SEC recognition. He plays with the mindset of a linebacker when he's near the line of scrimmage (8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2023). He is opportunistic in coverage (eight career interceptions) and played on all four special-teams units the last two seasons at Georgia, earning particular praise with the kickoff return group. Projected: Rounds 4-6

— BONUS: Kitan Oladapo (Sr., Oregon State, 6-2, 216)

Oladapo was a former no-star recruit with a rugby background who was a walk-on for the Beavers, spent six years in Corvallis and was voted team captain in 2023. He isn't going to wow you with his athleticism, but he's strong, instinctive and earned All-Pac-12 honors each of the last three seasons. Oladapo would complement a ball-hawking safety, where he could mostly wreak havoc around the line of scrimmage and be utilized as a blitzer. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— BONUS: Sione Vaki (So., Utah, 5-11, 213)

After serving a religious mission, he joined the Utes prior to the 2022 season. Vaki was a finalist for the Hornung Award in 2023, given to college football's most versatile player — Colorado's Travis Hunter won. He played safety and running back (520 total yards and five TDs) because of injuries, and became the first Utah defender with two rushing touchdowns in a single game since Eric Weddle in 2006. There are significant limitations in coverage, but the second-team All-American is a productive tackler with a nose for the ball on special teams. Projected: Rounds 4-7

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