Best available safety in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board
· Yahoo Sports
Best available safety in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypothetical. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real.
Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top. In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends.
Safety is one of the thinner position groups in this draft. Not to say it's without depth or quality players after the first round. Caleb Downs and Emmanuel McNeill-Warren should come off in the first round.
Dillon Thieneman, AJ Haulcy could even sneak into that top 50 conversation. This group will have projected or eventual starters into the fifth round.
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Best available Safety in 2026 NFL Draft
Name SchoolHTWTRangePick TeamCaleb DownsOhio State6'0205Top 1511CowboysEmmanuel McNeil-WarrenToledo6'2202Rd 1-258BrownsDillon ThienemanOregon6'0205Rd 2-325BearsAJ HaulcyLSU6'0222Rd 2-378ColtsKamari RamseyUSC6'0205Rd 2-3141TexansZakee WheatleyPenn State6'2202Rd 2-4151PanthersBud ClarkTCU6'2190Rd 2-464SeahawksMichael TaaffeTexas6'0201Rd 2-4158DolphinsJalon KilgoreS. Carolina6'1211Rd 3-5Genesis SmithArizona6'2204Rd 3-5131ChargersJalen StromanNotre Dame6'1201Rd 3-5Cole WisniewskiTexas Tech6'4220Rd 3-5Bishop FitzgeraldUSC5'11205Rd 3-5Isaiah NwokobiaSMU6'1205Rd 3-5Robert Spears-JenningsOklahoma6'0213Rd 3-5Lorenzo Styles JrOhio State6'1195Rd 4-6Jalen CatalonMissouri5'10200Rd 4-6VJ PayneKansas State6'3208Rd 4-6Louis MooreIndiana5'11200Rd 4-6Jakobe ThomasMiami6'2200Rd 4-698VikingsXavier NwankpaIowa6'2213Rd 4-6Austin Brown Wisconsin6'1215Rd 5-7DeShon SingletonNebraska6'3210Rd 5-7Jalen HuskeyMaryland 6'2201Rd 5-7Ahmaad MosesSMU5'10205Rd 5-7Gunner MaldonadoKansas State5'11193Rd 5-7Kendal DanielsOklahoma6'5242Rd 5-72026 NFL Draft social media reactions to Safety selections
Another Longhorn coming to Miami 🤘
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 25, 2026
With the 158th pick, we have selected Michael Taaffe from @TexasFootballpic.twitter.com/TuKTK9ZZOz
With the 151st pick in the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select:
— SleeperPanthers (@SleeperCarolina) April 25, 2026
Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
LETS GO!!! WELCOME TO CAROLINA ‼️#KeepPounding#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/MhQ9CoUq8g
FIGHT ON ✌️ pic.twitter.com/qFylS3jw4t
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 25, 2026
lock ‘em in pic.twitter.com/wweoOv5SZA
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 25, 2026
JC to KC. @JadonC28__ goes to the @Chiefs in the fourth round! #ProDucks x #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/N8Y2vfhvjV
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) April 25, 2026
All about the 🙌
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 25, 2026
The #Vikings have selected @jakobethomas2. pic.twitter.com/SifrlioF0Q
THERE'S A LOT OF NEGATIVITY ABOUT THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 25, 2026
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS MAKE IT DISAPPEAR..
THE FUTURE IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS..
THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS SELECT AJ HAULCY OUT OF LSU pic.twitter.com/lGB8H2FuE2
🚨🚨 The Seattle #Seahawks select S Bud Clark with the 64th overall pick #nfldraftpic.twitter.com/csN3CN3BTo
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 25, 2026
Lakewood’s own Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was picked by the Cleveland Browns with the 59th pick in the NFL Draft. @Lakewoodhsfbpic.twitter.com/YTTR5vfyKp
— Mark Skol, Jr. (@markskoljrTV) April 25, 2026
Dillon Thieneman knows he brings the speed to that @ChicagoBears secondary.
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/LILEeEa0hB
The @DallasCowboys trade up one spot and select Caleb Downs from @OhioStateFB!
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/ubeysZbfXy
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network-- available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.