One of the best in the business when it comes to the NFL draft is Daniel Jeremiah, who was recently asked about the Indianapolis Colts and their need at safety.
With only Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, and Marcel Dabo under contract currently, the need for help at the free safety spot is abundant, along with the need for overall improved play in the secondary.
In Lou Anarumo’s scheme, we are going to see more Cover-1, along with versatility and the ability to disguise coverages being key elements of his defense. All of that can put a lot on the plate of the safety position, so having a reliable presence on the back-end to quarterback things is a must.
The first safety that Jeremiah brought up was Georgia’s Malaki Starks, who is widely considered the top safety in this year’s class.
Starks is very versatile, able to move around the secondary, and brings a well-rounded skill set to the NFL, able to make plays in coverage and hold his own against the run.
“Starks fits that out of Georgia,” said Jeremiah about the deep safety role. “He’s someone that can play in the nickel, can play high as the safety. So that one would be the first one I would talk about as someone who can range and play over the top.”
The next safety that Jeremiah brought up as an early-round option and a fit for the deep safety spot was Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts, who has played all over the secondary in his career.
During the 2024 season, Watts generated seven pressures as a blitzer. He made 90 of his 103 tackle, attempts, according to PFF, and in coverage, had terrific ball production with six interceptions and four pass breakups.
Lastly, a late Day 2 or early Day 3 option for the Colts could be Cal’s Craig Woodson, who is an experienced player with over 2,700 career snaps.
This past year, Woodson was one of PFF’s highest-graded run defenders and tacklers at the safety position. He also held opponents to a career-low 9.0 yards per catch with two interceptions and six pass breakups.
“One of my favorite guys in the safety group who is going to be third, fourth round, maybe you get him in the fourth round is Craig Woodson from Cal,” Jeremiah added. “He plays in the deep half. He can play downhill. He can open. He’s a smooth mover. He’s got speed. He’s a firm tackler, and he’s really, really smart. Talking to the folks at Cal, they rave about his intelligence and leadership.
“I’m big on trust in the back end, and I think he’s someone you get in the third, fourth round that I would trust to put back there real early in his career.”
With all that is asked of the safety position in Anarumo’s defense, perhaps we see the Colts attempt to address this need more so in free agency as they look to add an experienced presence on the back end. But if not, these are three names to keep your eyes on throughout this pre-draft process.