2016 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings - S
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theScore's draft prospect rankings are compiled by NFL editor Dan Wilkins. A list of top players available within each position group can be found at the links below.
Offense
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
Defense
EDGE | DL | LB | CB | S
Safeties
| Rank | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karl Joseph | West Virginia |
| 2 | Keanu Neal | Florida |
| 3 | Darian Thompson | Boise State |
| 4 | Vonn Bell | Ohio State |
| 5 | Jeremy Cash | Duke |
| 6 | Kevin Byard | Middle Tennessee State |
| 7 | Sean Davis | Maryland |
| 8 | Justin Simmons | Boston College |
| 9 | Miles Killebrew | Southern Utah |
| 10 | T.J. Green | Clemson |
- Holding down the top spots among this year's safety prospects are a pair of tone-setters on the back end. Karl Joseph, despite a somewhat undersized frame, gets the edge over Keanu Neal due to his range in the middle of the field. Both should be impact players early on in their respective careers, though, and can be considered borderline first-rounders.
- The only thing really working against Kevin Byard is the fact that he's facing a substantial jump in transitioning from Conference USA competition to the NFL. In terms of ability, he does everything teams will be looking for in a long-term starter. Byard's play-making ability has long been evident, recording 19 interceptions across four seasons, and he's also a reliable presence in run support.
- Miles Killebrew may be available on Day 3 due to the fact that he's somewhat of a safety-linebacker hybrid. But with teams increasingly willing to create roles for such talent in today's game, it would be no surprise to see him produce at a high level early on. Killebrew can be an impact player if he's in position to make use of his physicality closer to the line of scrimmage.