Top 10 Pre-Draft Rookie DB Rankings
Mike Woellert ranks the best S and CB prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The common theme among the DBs in the 2025 rookie class is experience—nine of the DBs profiled below have accumulated over 2,000 career snaps. Overall, it’s a solid group with some hard-hitting tackling machines and the most hotly-debated prospect in a long time, CB/WR Travis Hunter. How you project Hunter—whether as a full-time CB with some WR snaps, a full-time WR with some CB snaps, or perhaps even a full-time WR and CB—is going to massively affect how you draft him.
With my current rank on him, you’ll see where I come down. With that said, here are my pre-draft top-10 rankings for 2025 IDP fantasy football rookie drafts.
1. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Height: 6031
Weight: 220 lbs
Arms: 3248
Wingspan: 7828
Vertical: 43”
Broad: 11’6”
40yd: 4.38
10yd split: 1.49
Nick Emmanwori enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most physically imposing and versatile safety prospects in the class. A three-year starter for the South Carolina Gamecocks, he earned First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors, along with accolades like SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,239
2024 Stats
Snaps: 751
Tackles: 88 (11.7%)
TFLs: 3
INTs: 4
Forced Fumbles: 0
Pass Deflections: 2
Emmanwori racked up 244 career tackles, 6 interceptions, and has a knack for delivering memorable plays. He played 54% of his snaps in the box and can also play the slot. If you need him deep, he has the ballhawk skills to come down with the pick.
Strengths
Elite Size and Physicality: At 6’3” and 220 pounds, Emmanwori brings linebacker-like size to the safety position, making him a matchup nightmare for tight ends. He brings the pain in the run.
Run Defense Prowess: He gets after it quickly downhill, fills gaps with authority, and consistently limits yards after contact with powerful tackling. Emmanwori had a 7.2% missed tackle rate.
Versatility: Comfortable playing in the box, nickel, or as a two-high safety, He provides scheme flexibility.
Ball Skills: Demonstrates above-average range and instincts in coverage, with 6 career interceptions and a knack for turning takeaways into points (two pick-sixes in 2024).
Athleticism for Size: Fluid movement for someone of his size. He has quick feet and transitions well in coverage.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Rigid in Coverage: Rigid backpedal and limited hip flexibility can hinder him against shifty receivers in man.
Vision Consistency: Narrowed focus in run defense can result in missed angles or overpursuit. Sometimes opens up escape lanes.
Penalty Risk: Physical style downfield can lead to handsy coverage.
Emmanwori showed out at the Scouting Combine with a 4.38 40 and an insane vertical leap and broad jump. His athleticism is off the charts, which showed up on tape. In my Couch Scouts All-22 review, he reminded me of Jeremy Chinn, but I see some Kyle Dugger, as well as a better coverage version of Kam Chancellor.
While he’ll need to polish his coverage technique and expand his range, his upside is undeniable. Expect Emmanwori to be a riser, potentially cementing himself as the top safety in the 2025 class.
I revisited his tape after the Combine, and I really liked how his production and traits will translate to the pros. He’s a tweener 2nd/3rd round pick in rookie drafts because of his potential production.
2. Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
Height: 6002
Weight: 206 lbs
Arms: 30 1/2”
Wingspan: 7518
Lathan Ransom emerged as a cornerstone of Ohio State’s defense over his five-year collegiate career, culminating in a standout 2024 season that saw him help lead the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Ransom has shown resilience by battling through injuries, which included a broken leg in the 2021 Rose Bowl and a Lisfranc injury in 2023.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,092
2024 Stats
Snaps: 616
Tackles: 76 (12.3%)
TFLs: 9
INTs: 1
Forced Fumbles: 3
Pass Deflections: 2
While not a ballhawk, he does have 13 defended passes and 6 forced fumbles. He’s an efficient tackler and will make plays no matter where he’s lined up. He was deployed near the LOS on 40% of his snaps.
Strengths
Physicality and Run Defense: Ransom is a punisher downhill. He plays with a linebacker’s mentality, excelling as an eighth man in the box or big nickel defender. He can close on ball carriers with authority.
Versatility: Logged significant snaps across multiple roles, offering flexibility for creative defensive coordinators. His 2024 Penn State film showcases his effectiveness as a hybrid linebacker/safety, disrupting plays in the backfield.
Blitzing Ability: A high-motor athlete with sharp timing, Ransom’s burst and strength can make him an effective pass rusher when deployed. Generated a 37.5% pressure rate over 32 pass-rush snaps.
Playmaker: Forced 3 fumbles and deflected 14 passes in his career, displaying a knack for impacting the game beyond tackling.
Championship Pedigree: A key leader on a title-winning defense, Ransom’s experience in big games adds value to any locker room.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Coverage Fluidity: While capable in zone schemes near the line, Ransom lacks the lateral agility and change-of-direction skills to excel in man. He’s vulnerable on double moves or deep routes.
Limited Ball Production: Despite his physical tools, Ransom recorded just 3 interceptions across five seasons.
Injury History: Durability concerns linger after missing time in 2021 and 2023 due to significant injuries. Bounced back in 2024, but medicals will be under a microscope.
Ransom profiles as a classic box safety with the versatility to thrive in sub-packages. His ideal role is in a defense that emphasizes physicality and run support, such as a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 scheme, where he can play close to the line or blitz off the edge. He had a career-high 14 pass-rush snaps in 2024 and generated 5 pressures. He can be sneaky off the line.
Ransom’s physical tools, championship experience, and positional flexibility make him a mid-Day 3 prospect with upside. He enters the draft with over 2,000 career snaps and is looking like an early Day 3 pick.
He should be available in the 4th in rookie drafts.
3. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
Height: 6003
Weight: 188 lbs
Arms: 31 3/8”
Wingspan: 7678
Xavier Watts, a redshirt senior from Notre Dame, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the premier safety prospects, boasting a rare blend of ball-hawking prowess and positional versatility. Initially recruited as a four-star wide receiver, Watts transitioned to safety after his freshman year, a move that paid dividends with a 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defensive player) and unanimous All-American honors. He captained Notre Dame to a College Football Playoff berth, showcasing his leadership ability.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,132
2024 Stats
Snaps: 781
Tackles: 82 (10.5%)
TFLs: 4
INTs: 6
Forced Fumbles: 1
Pass Deflections: 10
Watts is an elite ballhawk who recorded 13 INTs and 13 defended passes over 2023/2024, resulting in a 40.6% play-on-ball rate. He improved his tackle efficiency from 2023 (7.3%) to 2024 (8.6%).
Strengths
Elite Ball Skills: As a former wide receiver, he has great hands and ball tracking skills. He can high point the ball, ensuring he comes down with it.
Instincts and Football IQ: Reads quarterbacks with a receiver’s understanding of routes, allowing him to bait throws and jump passing lanes. His 30.1 passer rating when targeted last season showcases dominance.
Versatility: Thrives in multiple roles—deep free safety, box defender. His experience in Notre Dame’s scheme translates to both split-safety and single-high systems. I’m sure Al Golden would love to draft him.
Run Support: Explodes downhill with urgency, delivering physical tackles (88 solo stops).
High Motor: Plays with relentless energy and aggression, rarely taking snaps off. His toughness shines in big games.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Change of Direction: Can be a bit tight in the hips and has average agility, hip tightness, and subpar lateral agility. Quick route-runners can occasionally gain separation.
Over-Aggression: His eagerness to make plays can lead to missed tackles (13.6% career missed tackle rate) or biting on play-action, leaving him out of position.
High Pad: He can sometimes approach too high and drop his hips and wrap.
Reaction: He’ll also need to speed up reaction time if he wants to be around the ball consistently.
Another safety who gives me Kyle Dugger vibes. Watts profiles as a versatile safety who can start early in a variety of schemes, but is best suited for a quarters-based or Cover 3 system that lets him read and react. His ball skills and instincts make him a fit for teams needing a centerfield playmaker, which is reminiscent of Antoine Winfield, Jr.
I really liked what I saw on tape from the 2025 national championship, and against USC last year. He also had a solid game against Texas A&M.
He offers immediate impact as a rookie starter and long-term value as a defensive weapon. Watts tape shows thumper and highlights his abilities as a ballhawk as coaches look for guys who impact the turnover margin. I don’t like that he didn’t do any testing or drills at the Combine, but he’s letting the tape speak for him.
Safeties will probably start going in the 4th of rookie drafts.
4. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Height: 6007
Weight: 197 lbs
Arms: 31 5/8”
Wingspan: 7838
Vertical: 33”
40yd: 4.50
10yd split: 1.51
Malaki Starks, a junior standout from Georgia, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as the consensus top safety prospect (football-wise) and a potential top-10 pick. A three-year starter for the Bulldogs, Starks earned First Team All-SEC honors in both 2023 and 2024, anchoring a defense that won two national championships.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,469
2024 Stats
Snaps: 765
Tackles: 77 (10.1%)
TFLs: 4
INTs: 1
Forced Fumbles: 0
Pass Deflections: 3
With 156 tackles, 7 interceptions, and exceptional coverage stats, which includes a 28.4 passer rating allowed in 2024. Starks has a career 16% play on ball rate.
Strengths
Athleticism and Range: Starks is fluid and has above average sideline-to-sideline and can kick it up a gear. His closing burst erases mistakes and limits yards after catch.
Coverage Prowess: He can play in both man and zone schemes, sticking with tight ends and slot receivers while reading quarterbacks’ eyes in deep thirds. He’s a disruptor with 23 career defended passes.
Tackling Efficiency: A reliable wrap-up tackler with 89 career solo stops. Starks strikes with force and rarely misses in open space. Starks enters the NFL with a career 6.9% missed tackle rate.
Versatility: Logged 1,200+ snaps split between free safety, box, and slot roles, offering flexibility for creative coordinators.
High Football IQ: Pre-snap recognition and post-snap decisiveness stand out—Starks adjusts seamlessly to motion and disguises, rarely caught out of position.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Physicality Limits: At 197 pounds, Starks isn’t an enforcer in the box and can get washed out by bigger blockers. He’s more finesse.
Aggressive Tendencies: Occasionally overpursues in coverage, leaving underneath zones vulnerable. His maverick style led to a few completions on mistimed jumps.
Footwork: He also needs to improve his footwork a little bit. Just needs to be a bit more fluid.
Aggressive: He needs to be a bit more aggressive breaking off blocks.
Starks is a prototypical modern safety, built for a Cover 3 or Cover 1-heavy scheme where his range and instincts can shine as a deep-middle defender. His coverage skills also suit nickel packages, matching up with tight ends or big slots. He’s been a three-down player in a competitive conference and enters the NFL with plenty of big game experience.
Starks was fluid during his agility drills and turned in a respectable 40 with a solid 1.51 10yd split. He’s probably going to be the top safety off the board, so draft capital alone will propel him as one of the DBs off the board in rookie drafts because of the upside of immediate snaps.
5. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Height: 5106
Weight: 194 lbs
Arms: 29 5/8”
Wingspan: 7348
Vertical: 35”
Broad: 10’3”
40yd: 4.39
10yd split: 1.50
Jahdae Barron, a redshirt senior from Texas, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most versatile and accomplished defensive backs in college football. A local product from Austin’s Connally High School, Barron evolved from a three-star recruit into a 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner (nation’s top defensive back) and unanimous All-American. His final season helped propel Texas to an SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff run.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,617
2024 Stats
Snaps: 739
Tackles: 67 (9.1%)
TFLs: 3
INTs: 5
Forced Fumbles: 0
Pass Deflections: 11
Barron produced a 28.1% play on ball rate and can play nickel or outside. He might even move to safety. He transitioned to outside corner in 2024, but still played over 200 snaps up near the LOS as a nickel corner and box safety.
Strengths
Versatility: Barron’s snap distribution emphasizes his ability to adapt to any role. He shadowed top receivers outside, manned the slot.
Ballhawk Mentality: Barron shows elite ball skills with 13 career interceptions. His 38 passes defensed highlight his knack for disrupting throws. He has a career 55.6 rating when targeted.
Physicality: At 200 pounds, Barron plays bigger than his size, attacking the run with ferocity (149 solo tackles) and shedding blocks from anyone who gets in his way.
Football IQ: Diagnoses plays pre- and post-snap with veteran savvy, baiting quarterbacks into mistakes. He can be a QB’s worst nightmare.
Explosive Athleticism: Recorded a 4.39 40-yard dash, 1.50 10-yard split, 35’ vertical, and 10’3” broad jump at the Combine, silencing doubts about his speed and burst for the outside.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Size Limitations: At 5’11” with moderate length (31-inch arms), Barron can struggle against taller, physical receivers who box him out. However, he won’t give up.
Over-Aggression: His high-motor style occasionally leads to overpursuit, leaving underneath zones exposed or resulting in missed tackles. He did improve from 2023 (8) to 2024 (4) from that standpoint.
Positional Fit: While versatile, his smaller frame and skill set may pigeonhole him as a nickel or hybrid safety for some teams.
Barron projects as a multi-role defensive back, ideally suited for a pattern-match or Cover 3 scheme where his instincts and closing speed can shine. His 2024 dominance with 5 INTs, zero TDs allowed on 541 coverage snaps, and a Combine performance which erased athleticism concerns has probably elevated him to a potential first round pick.
I like the thought of him at nickel for tackle production right out of the gate. Draft capital of a top-50 pick and playing an IDP-friendly position should have him being drafted as the DB5 in the 3rd/4th round.
6. Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
Height: 6003
Weight: 188 lbs
Arms: 3138
Wingspan: 7678
Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as a once-in-a-generation talent, redefining versatility in modern football. A five-star recruit who flipped from Florida State to Jackson State to play for Deion Sanders, Hunter followed Sanders to Colorado in 2023, where he became college football’s premier two-way star. He earned the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player), Fred Biletnikoff Award (top receiver), and unanimous All-American honors.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 1,871
2024 Stats
Snaps: 776
Tackles: 36 (4.7%)
TFLs: 1
INTs: 4
Forced Fumbles: 1
Pass Deflections: 11
Although he didn’t record many tackles, Hunter produced a 40.5% play-on-ball rate.
Strengths
Elite Athleticism: Hunter’s twitchy burst, fluidity, and top-end speed shine on both sides of the ball.
Ball Skills: A former high school receiver, Hunter has elite hands. He had a 26.1 passer rating allowed when targeted.
Coverage Instincts: Hunter is stickier than Gorilla Glue in coverage. Excels in press and off-man coverage, using quick feet and long arms (32 inches) to mirror receivers. He has well above anticipation and ball skills.
Versatility: Played 713 defensive and 709 offensive snaps in 2024, dominating as a lockdown CB and WR1. He averaged 120 snaps per game and really is a unicorn.
Competitive Toughness: Fearless in run support (60 solo tackles) and contested catches, Hunter’s motor and clutch gene shone in Colorado’s 2024 Big 12 title run.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Frame and Durability: At 188 pounds, Hunter’s lean build raises concerns about withstanding NFL physicality, especially as a full-time two-way player.
Technique Refinement: Relies heavily on athleticism, occasionally losing leverage with unpolished footwork in coverage.
Positional Uncertainty: While elite at both CB and WR, Hunter’s two-way workload may not translate to the NFL’s specialized nature. He might need to pick a position.
Run Defense: Willing tackler but can be outmuscled by bigger receivers or linemen in space, limiting his box impact.
From a pure football standpoint, Hunter is a smooth player. Once he gets the feel of the NFL game, he’s going to piss off NFL receivers. He’s technically sound and doesn’t give up much separation. If he develops into a shut-down corner, his targets and upside for fantasy points dwindle. If he sees more WR snaps and limited CB snaps, the risk of losing CB designation increases, as does the risk of his IDP usefulness because the loss of the CB/DB designation.
Hunter is the most talked about rookie in fantasy. Where will he play? He might be forced to pick one position, which could cap his IDP upside. If he plays CB full-time while seeing 20% of the snaps on offense, there’s definite upside.
His upside projects him as a top-5 and I don’t blame anyone for taking him as the 1.01 in rookie drafts with his PPG upside. I’m not sure I’m willing to take the risk.
7. Justin Barron, S, Syracuse
Justin Barron, a redshirt senior from Syracuse, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as a versatile, hard-hitting defender who evolved from a high school wide receiver into one of the ACC’s most productive tacklers. After redshirting in 2020 and transitioning to the secondary, Barron became a full-time starter by 2022, excelling in Syracuse’s 3-3-5 scheme.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,596
2024 Stats
Snaps: 670
Tackles: 93 (13.9%)
TFLs: 9
INTs: 1
Forced Fumbles: 0
Pass Deflections: 3
I love the tackle rate and the TFLs. Barron has a career 11.9% tackle rate and 156 solo tackles. The only issue is the career 16.8% missed tackle rate. Barron profiles as a box safety, as that’s where he played 63% of his snaps.
Strengths
Tackling Machine: Barron’s 293 career tackles (177 solo) and 19 TFLs showcase his ability to find the ball and finish plays at the line of scrimmage.
Size and Length: Barron offers a rare frame for a safety, allowing him to match up with tight ends and disrupt passing lanes (12 passes defensed). His size translates well to linebacker duties in sub-packages.
Versatility: Played over 2,000 snaps across safety, nickel, and linebacker roles, thriving as a rover in Syracuse’s defense. He did shift to more of that LB role mid-season.
Physicality: Attacks downhill with force, shedding blocks from receivers and tight ends. His 3 forced fumbles and 5 QB hurries in 2024 reflect a disruptive presence near the line.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Limited Ball Production: Despite his size and snap count, Barron has just 1 career interception and 12 passes defensed, suggesting he’s more of a hitter than a takeaway threat.
Coverage Fluidity: While adequate in zone drops, Barron’s taller frame and moderate lateral agility limit his effectiveness in man.
Injury Context: Played much of 2023 with a clubbed hand, potentially stunting his development, though he rebounded strongly in 2024. Teams will assess his durability after five years of physical play.
Justin Barron wore the dot, so he’s able to communicate and translate plays quickly to get everyone in position. Barron projects as a hybrid defender who is best suited as a strong safety or weakside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme that values size and tackling. His skill set aligns with a Deone Bucannon-like role: a big nickel or dime linebacker who excels in the box.
He’ll probably start as a special teamer with the chance to develop into a starter. You’re probably looking at a Day 3 pick and a 4th/5th rounder in rookie drafts.
8. Maxen Hook, S, Toledo
Height: 6004
Weight: 202 lbs
Arms: 31 1/2”
Wingspan: 7548
Maxen Hook, a redshirt senior from Toledo, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as a battle-tested safety with a reputation for consistency and durability. A four-time All-MAC honoree (First Team 2022-2024, Third Team 2021), Hook transformed from a two-star recruit into a defensive cornerstone for the Rockets,
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,653
2024 Stats
Snaps: 843
Tackles: 107 (12.7%)
TFLs: 1
INTs: 2
Forced Fumbles: 1
Pass Deflections: 4
Maxen Hook has a career 14.7% tackle rate, resulting in 356 tackles. He has the tackle production to be an IDP stud. Will his game and traits translate? He plays with hustle and urgency.
Strengths
Tackling Reliability: Hook’s 356 tackles and 6.4% career missed tackle rate ranked among the nation’s best for safeties. His technique shines in open-field situations.
Football Intelligence: Advanced pre- and post-snap processing allows him to diagnose plays quickly, especially against play-action and misdirection.
Physical Presence: Hook brings adequate size to take on blockers and tight ends near the line. His 3 forced fumbles showcase his busy hands and wanting to force takeaways.
Versatility: Offers flexibility in split-safety or big nickel roles. His experience as a rover in Toledo’s scheme translates to sub-package utility.
High Effort: Relentless sideline-to-sideline motor, often running down plays from the far hash.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Athletic Ceiling: Hook’s average speed and lateral agility limit his range as a deep safety. He struggles to recover against elite speed threats.
Ball Production: Despite 7 interceptions, Hook’s takeaways often come from tipped balls or overthrows rather than elite ball-hawking.
Man Coverage Limits: Hook has stiffer hips and moderate change-of-direction skills hinder him against twitchy receivers. He’s far more effective in zone, where his eyes and discipline shine.
Hook doesn’t stand out athletically, but he has sneak speed. He’s another high IQ player who wore the dot on defense. I think he’ll start as a special teamer with the upside to develop into a starter in the right system, particularly one masking his speed limitations with scheme fit. As far as IDP, I think he’ll be a 5th/6th round pick and could even go undrafted, ending up as a taxi squad stash.
9. Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
Height: 6014
Weight: 215 lbs
Arms: 32 1/2”
Wingspan: 8078
Kevin Winston Jr., a junior safety from Penn State, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as a high-upside prospect whose stock hinges on medical evaluations after a partially torn ACL derailed his 2024 season. Winston showed his potential in 2023 as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, leading the Nittany Lions with 60 tackles in his first year as a starter.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 606
2024 Stats
Snaps: 74 (injury)
Tackles: 13 (17.6%)
TFLs: 0
INTs: 0
Forced Fumbles: 0
Pass Deflections: 0
Winston’s 2024 season got off to a great start until a partially torn ACL brought it to a crashing halt. He recorded 12 tackles and a forced fumble and his season ended in Week 2 against Bowling Green. His 2023 ended on a bright spot. He recorded 14 tackles in the first 6 games, while finishing with 46 tackles over the final seven.
Strengths
Physical Tools: At 6’1” with 32 1/2” arms, Winston’s length and frame are ideal for an NFL safety. His 208-pound build holds up in traffic.
Run Defense: He’s a downhill thumper, Winston diagnoses plays quickly and arrives with force (3.5 TFLs, 47 solo tackles). His West Virginia tape (2024) shows a knack for shedding blocks and setting the edge.
Versatility: Played single-high, two-high, slot, and box roles at Penn State, with 35% of his 2023 snaps in the box or slot. He’s able to disguise pre/post snap.
Tackling Prowess: He won’t miss tackles. He had an elite 4.8% missed tackle rate across his career. His consistency neutralizes any yards after catch.
Football IQ: Preseason captain in 2024, Winston’s pre-snap communication and route recognition reflects a high-processing.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Limited Experience: With only 15 career starts (13 in 2023, 2 in 2024), Winston’s sample size is thin, especially after missing nearly all of 2024.
Coverage Fluidity: Lacks elite lateral agility and hip flexibility, which can leave him trailing quicker receivers in man coverage.
Injury Risk: The partial ACL tear looms large. While he’s expected to be cleared by March, teams will scrutinize his knee’s long-term durability at the Combine.
Ball Production: Just one interception and 5 defended passes in 28 games suggest more of a stopper than hawk.
I think Winston’s 2024 absence drops him to Rounds 2-3. Teams betting on his 2023 tape and physical gifts could land a steal. His draft slot hinges on medicals and workouts more than most prospects. Here’s hoping for a strong Pro Day. IDP’ers could get a steal if willing to take on the risk.
10. Nick Andersen, S, Wake Forest
Nick Andersen arrived at Wake Forest as a preferred walk-on in 2020 and quickly established himself as a standout defensive back. A versatile and instinctive safety, Andersen earned a scholarship after an impressive freshman campaign and became a key cog in the Demon Deacons’ secondary. His 2024 season garnered Third Team All-ACC recognition.
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,330
2024 Stats
Snaps: 849
Tackles: 122 (14.4%)
TFLs: 1
INTs: 2
Forced Fumbles: 1
Pass Deflections: 1
Andersen saw a big increase in snaps from 2023 to 2024. He missed the 2022 season, but returned in 2023, appearing in 369 snaps over 12 games. In 2024, Andersen saw his role change and played over 800 snaps, with 39% of those snaps near the LOS. He was more in position to make plays and tackles.
Strengths
Tackling Volume: Andersen’s 262 career tackles (122 in 2024) reflect his nose for the ball. He had 6 double-digit tackle games.
Ball Skills: Notched 8 interceptions across four years, including a game-sealing pick vs. Stanford in 2024. He’s good in zone and will take advantage of poor QB throws.
Football IQ: Andersen diagnoses plays quickly and adjusts to misdirection, making him a quarterback of the secondary. His 10 TFLs show gap-shooting ability from depth.
Physicality: Plays bigger than his 5’11” frame, willingly engaging blockers and finishing with force.
Special Teams Experience: Logged 200+ snaps on kick and punt units, offering immediate value as a gunner or coverage ace.
Weakness/Area of Improvement
Athletic Limitations: Modest burst limit his deep range and recovery speed. He’s often a step late against vertical threats.
Size Concerns: At 5’11” and 200 pounds, Andersen lacks the ideal length to contest bigger receivers or tight ends consistently in man coverage.
Tackling: Andersen had a 14.4% missed tackle rate in 2024. He was caught flat-footed or out of position several times.
Injury History: Missed most of 2022 with a hamstring issue (4 games played), raising durability flags for a smaller frame after 2,000+ collegiate snaps.
His game reminds me of Jonathan Cyprien. He’s a smart, physical safety who carves a niche through effort and special teams. He’ll need to clean up the missed tackles if he gets the chance to develop. Andersen’s floor is a special teams mainstay and practice squad stash while his ceiling is a rotational safety who thrives in the right system.
I think he’s a taxi squad stash as an UDFA in dynasty leagues.
Small School Sleeper
Antonio Carter, S, Jacksonville State
Career Snaps (regular/postseason): 2,368
2024 Stats
Snaps: 827
Tackles: 109 (13.2%)
TFLs: 5
INTs: 1
Forced Fumbles: 0
Pass Deflections: 3
Antonio Carter excels as a tackler, amassing 222 career tackles (149 solo) across his college career. His 2024 season at Jacksonville State was a breakout, with 109 tackles, demonstrating his ability to locate and stop ball carriers. Key performances include 14 tackles against Liberty and 12 against Western Kentucky,
Carter stands at 6’0” and 200 pounds and plays with a linebacker-like intensity, engaging blockers head-on and delivering impactful hits. He’s physical and tries to jar the ball loose. He has 4 career forced fumbles.
His FCS-to-FBS journey and tackle volume draw interest, but modest measurables and a thin takeaway resume cap his stock. Carter’s floor is a practice squad stash with special teams utility. I think his ceiling is a dependable backup safety in a run-support role. If he impresses at pro days or workouts, a late-round selection is within reach—otherwise, he’s a priority UDFA with a camp invite.
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