Editor’s note: The Union-Tribune’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 24-26). Here are his top 10 safeties, plus “bonus” players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

— 1. Malaki Starks (Jr., Georgia, 6-foot-1, 197 pounds)

Starks was the top-ranked athlete in the 2022 recruiting class and an Under Armor All-American before committing to the Bulldogs. He was a freshman All-American, a consensus All-American in 2023 and a first-team All-American last season, so you could say he’s been consistently excellent during his time in Athens. The 2023 version of Starks is one of the best defensive back prospects I’ve watched in the last decade. He was still really good last season, but the Georgia coaches essentially asked him to play every position in the secondary, and there were inconsistencies in man-to-man as a deeper defender leading to a few big pass plays. That simply didn’t happen in 2023. Regardless, Starks remains a scheme-versatile playmaker with high football IQ who excels against the run and can be deployed in a variety of ways in coverage. He also played full-time on punt coverages all three seasons. Projected: Round 1

— 2. Xavier Watts (Sr., Notre Dame, 6-0, 205)

Watts is a former four-star recruit who joined the Fighting Irish as a wide receiver before switching to linebacker, and then settling in at free safety. He won the Bronco Nagurski Award (best defensive player) after leading the nation with seven interceptions in 2023, only two years after switching to defense. Watts finished his collegiate career as Notre Dame’s first two-time consensus All-American in over 30 years and was voted team captain twice. Out of the defensive backs in this draft class, only do-it-all Travis Hunter rivals Watts’ instincts or ball skills. He combined for 13 interceptions (most in FBS) and 27 passes defensed the last two seasons. Like all true playmakers, Watts’ aggressiveness backfires occasionally. He doesn’t feature natural explosiveness, but he’s a tone-setter against the run and pass. Projected: Round 2

— 3. Nick Emmanwori (Jr., South Carolina, 6-3, 220)

A former three-star recruit, Emmanwori is a hybrid safety-linebacker whose size, range and physicality will endear him to any defensive coordinator with a pulse. He led the Gamecocks in tackles (85) as a true freshman, and did it again last season (88). I wrote his wingspan and ball skills were reminiscent of a top-tier wide receiver prospect before he pulled off one of the all-time great performances at the NFL combine, becoming the first safety to ever produce a perfect 10.00 RAS. Emmanwori is just one of four players 6-3 or taller to have ran a sub-4.4 40-yard dash and hit at least 40 inches in the vertical jump since 2003. DK Metcalf (2019), Tariq Woolen (2022) and Bryce Ford-Wheaton (2023) are the others. Emmanwori was also one of only five players in the FBS with multiple pick-sixes last season. He would’ve had three, but one was called back by penalty. He’s a little stiff when forced to change directions in coverage or chasing a ball-carrier, which is surprising considering his historic athleticism. He also lacks urgency at times, but there’s an overabundance of good stuff to work with here. Emmanwori is an ideal fit for a team seeking a classic strong safety with versatility who can wreak havoc near the line of scrimmage. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 4. Billy Bowman Jr. (Jr., Oklahoma, 5-10, 192)

The second-ranked athlete in the 2021 recruiting class, Bowman became a four-year starter for the Sooners, earning first-team All-American recognition as a sophomore. He intercepted six passes, which led to an FBS-best three pick-sixes. The former wide receiver knows what to do when he has the ball, scoring four total defensive TDs with an average return of 58 yards the last two seasons. Bowman is undersized, but he’s a quick processor and can cover a lot of ground quickly. His aggressive nature coupled with his processing and high football IQ makes him dangerous in coverage, but it also makes him an unreliable tackler. Bowman played on kickoff and punt-return coverages all four seasons in Norman. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 5. Kevin Winston Jr. (Jr., Penn St., 6-1, 213)

A former four-star recruit, Winston was voted team captain his junior season, which ended after he suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee in the Nittany Lions’ season opener. His instincts and processing are underdeveloped, but he features the size and traits NFL teams covet for a modern safety. He’s a physical run defender who rarely misses tackles. His deep cover skills are inconsistent, but he’s more than capable of matching up with tight ends or big slot receivers near the line of scrimmage or in the intermediate part of the field. Projected: Round 3

— 6. Lathan Ransom (Sr., Ohio St., 6-0, 203)

Ransom was the 11th-ranked safety in the 2020 recruiting class. He’s missed at least one game in each of the past four seasons, but he’s tough as nails and rarely out of position when he’s on the field. The second-team All-American has proven capable of making impact plays with six forced fumbles, three interceptions and two blocked punts in his collegiate career. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 7. Jonas Sanker (Sr., Virginia, 6-0, 206)

A former three-star recruit, Sanker became a highly productive three-year starter for the Cavaliers, and was voted team captain his senior season. He led the team in tackles the last two seasons, earning first-team All-ACC each time. Sanker is a thumper in run support, makes plays on special teams (including a blocked field goal), and can cover big slot receivers, but he occasionally gets fooled by play-action. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 8. Andrew Mukuba (Sr., Texas, 5-11, 186)

The eighth-ranked safety in the 2021 recruiting class, Mukuba spent three years at Clemson before joining the Longhorns last season, where he led the team in interceptions (five) while earning third-team All-SEC recognition. The Zimbabwe native is a ball-hawk and asset as a run defender despite the slighter frame. Mukuba has suffered two MCL sprains in the last three seasons. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 9. Jaylen Reed (Sr., Penn St., 6-0, 211)

A former four-star recruit, Reed was one of two Power 4 safeties with at least three interceptions, two sacks and a forced fumble last season. The other was UNLV’s Jalen Catalon. Reed is fast (9.08 RAS), physical and explodes downhill against the run (and as a blitzer). I trust him more in zone coverage than man. Reed was high school teammates with Sauce Gardner. Projected: Round 4

— 10. Maxen Hook (Sr., Toledo, 6-0, 201)

A former three-star recruit, Hook was a highly-productive, four-year starter who earned first-team All-MAC recognition the past three seasons. The two-time team captain possesses NFL-caliber size, speed and the special teams background to become an ace in the pros. Better discipline against play-action and ball fakes may be the last piece of the puzzle. Hooks turns 24 in August. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 11. Marques Sigle (Sr., Kansas St., 5-11, 199)

A former no-star recruit, Sigle spent three years at North Dakota State before joining the Wildcats in 2023 — he was voted team captain last season. The former cornerback features elite athleticism (9.64 RAS) and speed. Despite being a bit undersized, he brings the pain as a striker against the run. Sigle is scheme-versatile, but he’ll need to refine his technique in coverage, and would be best utilized as a big nickel. Projected: Round 5

— 12. RJ Mickens (Sr., Clemson, 6-0, 199)

A former four-star recruit, Mickens became a four-year starter for the Tigers and was voted team captain last season, while earning honorable mention All-ACC recognition. He’s on the short list of players to play 60 games at Clemson. Mickens isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s a solid tackler with high football IQ (NFL bloodlines) and can sniff out a screen like a bloodhound. Mickens turns 24 in July. His father, Ray Sr., was drafted in the third round (No. 62 overall) by the Jets at cornerback, and spent 11 seasons in the NFL. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 13. Malachi Moore (Sr., Alabama, 5-11, 197)

Moore’s a former four-star recruit who became a four-year starter for the Crimson Tide, and was voted team captain each of the past two seasons. The second-team All-American features versatility (has played nickel), solid coverage skills and impressive instincts. He’s average athletically, but he plays bigger than he looks and has ample experience on special teams. Moore turns 24 in September. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— 14. Kitan Crawford (Sr., Nevada, 5-10, 202)

The 10th-ranked cornerback in the 2020 recruiting class, Crawford spent four years at Texas (only made four starts) before following one of his coaches to Reno last season. He had one of the better performances at the combine (9.72 RAS) after earning honorable mention All-MWC recognition at free safety. Crawford isn’t a finisher against the run, but he tries. Maybe his premier athleticism can be better utilized as a big nickel. Crawford has extensive experience on special teams: 17 tackles, a blocked field goal and a blocked punt. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 15. Hunter Wohler (Sr., Wisconsin, 6-2, 213)

Wohler was the 13th-ranked safety in the 2021 recruiting class. A two-year starter at strong safety, his 120 tackles in 2023 were the most by a Badgers defensive back in over 30 years. Wohler is a good-sized athlete (9.26 RAS) who sees ball, and hits guy holding ball. He can cover tight ends and running backs in man, but the further away from the line of scrimmage he gets in coverage, the more inconsistent he becomes. Wohler missed seven games in 2022 with a broken left fibula. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 16. JJ Roberts (Sr., Marshall, 5-11, 192)

A former three-star recruit, Roberts spent three years at Wake Forest before joining the Thundering Herd in 2023, where he became a two-year starter. Roberts is an elite athlete (9.67 RAS) who produced 94 tackles (five for loss) and 14 passes defensed (tops in the Sun Belt) last season. He looks like a cornerback, but acts like a safety. Roberts turns 24 in September. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— 17. Craig Woodson (Sr., California, 6-0, 200)

A former three-star recruit, Woodson became a three-year starter at safety and nickel for the Golden Bears, earning All-Conference recognition in the Pac-12 and ACC. He’s a well-rounded athlete (8.76 RAS) with good instincts and a strong tackler. He occasionally has trouble contesting catches against bigger tight ends. Woodson missed the entire 2021 season with a knee injury, and turned 24 in February. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 18. Dante Trader Jr. (Sr., Maryland, 5-11, 196)

A former three-star recruit at cornerback (and five-star recruit in lacrosse), Trader was a dual-sport athlete for the Terrapins and could benefit from focusing 100% on football. He’s a bit undersized, and shows against the run, but he features good coverage instincts with functional range. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— 19. Rayuan Lane III (Sr., Navy, 5-11, 201)

A no-star recruit, Lane became a four-year starter for the Midshipmen, earning All-AAC recognition twice. He created 11 combined turnovers the last two seasons — six interceptions and five forced fumbles — with two pick-sixes, returned for 97 and 86 yards, respectively. Lane is fearless as a run defender, but limited athletically, and misses too many tackles. However, he was an impact gunner on special teams all four years with 23 career tackles. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— 20. Jack Henderson (Sr., Minnesota, 6-2, 203)

A former no-star recruit, Henderson spent three years at Southeastern Louisiana before joining the Golden Gophers in 2023. He led Minnesota in tackles his first season there after leading the Lions the year before. Henderson is a competitive athlete (9.38 RAS) with impressive ball instincts who could earn a spot as a core special-teamer in the pros. In his collegiate career, he blocked both a field goal and a PAT. Henderson turns 24 in December. Projected: PFA

— 21. Dean Clark (Sr., Fresno St., 6-0, 208)

A former three-star recruit, Clark spent four years at Kent State, where he was a team captain, before joining the Bulldogs in 2023. His size, speed and explosiveness (9.33 RAS) will earn him a shot somewhere. Clark turns 24 in July. He missed most of the 2022 season with a ruptured Achilles. Projected: PFA

— 22. Sebastian Castro (Sr., Iowa, 5-11, 203)

A former three-star recruit, Castro disappointed at the combine, and then ran slower at his pro day. He’s a physical finisher against the run, and disciplined in coverage, but there was a big production drop-off last season. The 2023 version of Castro was draftable. The guy who has tested during the draft process, not so much. Castro turns 25 in October. Projected: Rounds 6-7

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