These safeties demonstrate the depth this draft offers at the position, despite the lack of blue-chip prospects.
Safety is a topic that doesn’t need to be discussed in relation to the New Orleans Saints this summer. The Saints’ decision to release veteran S Marcus Maye has left the position with an alarming lack of depth. Jonathan Abram is a liability when it comes to coverage, but he is competent and experienced in the tackle box. Over his career, Ugo Amadi has primarily been a special team member, though he did have a few enjoyable moments last season in coverage.
While New Orleans seems to be set up for success right now, there are still some minor worries. Tyrann Mathieu, a veteran, is still skilled at tricking quarterbacks into making mistakes. But Mathieu is a shaky open field tackler and has lost ground in slot coverage. Although Jordan Howden showed promise in his rookie season last year, the fifth-round pick is still mostly unknown.
No safety will be selected by the Saints in the first round, and there aren’t any players in this year’s class deserving of a pick this high. From a position with some decent depth, don’t be shocked if New Orleans addresses the position as early as Day 2.
These three defensive backs ought to be selected among the first picks in this year’s draft.
Beau Brade was retained in the state by the University of Maryland following an exceptional career at River Hill High School. Brade’s 2020 rookie season was cut short by Covid, but he showed promise as a playmaker in 2021, with a sack and two tackles for loss in six games as a backup.
Brade earned a starting position in 2022 and led the Terrapins in forced fumbles (2), interceptions (2), solo stops (55), total tackles (85), and tackles for loss (2). He also broke up five passes.
Brade continued to be effective in the previous season, leading the Terps in solo tackles (48), total stops (75), four of which were for a loss, one interception, six pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
As a defender who can play in the tackle box, in a two-high safety position, or cover the slot, Brade offers versatility. Although he doesn’t have a significant impact at the line of scrimmage, he can and will not back down from a run. He exhibits a good burst to the ball in both zone coverage and run support.
Brade covers even more aggressively. He is athletic enough to hold his own in man assignments and will challenge every throw in zone duties. Whether he is in man or zone, he has outstanding ball abilities. Brade has a keen sense of instinct and can quickly identify and respond to offensive alignments.
Brade’s range is limited by a lack of top-end speed, particularly when used as a single-high safety. He will be less effective against wideouts and tight ends who are taller. Additionally, he may miss assignments due to play-action or double moves as a result of his aggression.
It is anticipated that Beau Brade, a Day 2 talent, will be chosen on Day 3. His height and lack of exceptional speed are not insurmountable obstacles, but they will be the reason he falters for organizations that prioritize metrics. You shouldn’t be shocked if he starts seeing a lot of playing time right immediately due to his versatility, ability to cover, and run support skills.
Fresh out of John Muir (CA) High School, Calen Bullock made an instant impression as a freshman for USC, recording two interceptions and three passes broken in 2021. The next year, he finished with a team-high five interceptions and five pass breakups. Bullock finished his Trojans career in 2023 with two interceptions, seven touchdown passes, and a first-team Pac 12 honors.
Bullock is an athletic defensive back who chases balls. Playmaking abilities as a deep safety or corner will be added by him. He can follow the ball really well and plays throws like a wide receiver. He reads quarterbacks and predicts passes like a seasoned Pro Bowler thanks to his incredible instincts.
Bullock can improve a whole defense with his exceptional range, whether he is playing deep safety or in zone. His height, fluidity, and agility allow him to play cornerback both outside and in the slot. He can consistently create plays that change momentum because of his inherent affinity towards the ball.
Due to his tiny build, Bullock gets overwhelmed by larger wideouts and tight ends when under press coverage. The absence of a sharp burst and average recovery speed could be a ceiling constraint for him as a man cornerback.
Bullock is a total liability when it comes to run support. That’s just not how he’ll be used in the tackle box. His awareness against the run has been awful, but he has exceptional identification for passing plays. Although he is a good one-on-one tackler in open field, he frequently shows a lot of hesitation when engaging in rushing plays and screens.
Should every NFL play be a pass, Calen Bullock would be a first-round pick with a high draft position. His versatility as a deep safety or corner, along with his playmaking abilities and range on the back end, could potentially raise an entire secondary.
On the first night, Bullock’s battles with the run keep him from hearing his name called. According to some estimates, he might even slip to Day 3 early. It appears more likely that Bullock will be chosen in the third round or late in the second round.
In 2021, Tykee Smith moved to Georgia from West Virginia University. He had been a vital reserve for a few years before leading the Bulldogs defense in tackles for loss (8.5), interceptions (4), total tackles (70), and solo stops (46).
Smith has some variety in his coverage and is an efficient in-the-box safety. He has matched physicality and outstanding anticipation against the run. Smith detects the ball and charges through traffic to make a play, playing with the mentality of a linebacker.
Smith can cover the ball off-ball with good ball awareness and technique. In two-high safety alignments or zones, he has excellent field vision and a powerful dash to the ball. His strength is frequently demonstrated when he tackles blockers in run support or separates receivers from a ball.
Smith is a limited coverage player due to his lack of optimum size and quickness. He can’t change directions quickly enough to play cornerback consistently. On contested throws, he will also be less effective against taller pass catchers. He can have trouble hauling down a ball carrier in space, but as a tackler, he is far more effective in traffic or at the line of scrimmage.
Tykee Smith might be selected by a team as early as the third round because of his history as a successful Georgia defender. More probable, he’ll be selected around the early to midday hours of Day 3.
For a team that employs him as a zone defender and in close proximity to the line of scrimmage, Smith and Beau Brade might make an impact right away. Teams are more likely to seek Calen Bullock or safeties like Tyler Nubin (Minnesota), Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Texas Tech), or Jaden Hicks (Washington State) if they are searching for a more rangy playmaker in coverage.
Tyrann Mathieu’s replacement, or another coverage playmaker, would undoubtedly be beneficial to the New Orleans Saints. On the other hand, Mathieu may also move around the field in deep support as an in-the-box or zone enforcer.
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