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.

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 2-3Zakee WheatleyPenn State6'2202Rd 2-4Bud ClarkTCU6'2190Rd 2-464SeahawksMichael TaaffeTexas6'0201Rd 2-4Jalon KilgoreS. Carolina6'1211Rd 3-5Genesis SmithArizona6'2204Rd 3-5Jalen 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 selectionsAll about the 🙌The #Vikings have selected @jakobethomas2. pic.twitter.com/SifrlioF0Q— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 25, 2026THERE'S A LOT OF NEGATIVITY ABOUT THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS..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— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 25, 2026🚨🚨 The Seattle #Seahawks select S Bud Clark with the 64th overall pick #nfldraftpic.twitter.com/csN3CN3BTo— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 25, 2026Lakewood’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, 2026Dillon Thieneman knows he brings the speed to that @ChicagoBears secondary.2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABCStream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/LILEeEa0hB— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026The @DallasCowboys trade up one spot and select Caleb Downs from @OhioStateFB!2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABCStream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/ubeysZbfXy— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 20262026 NFL Draft How to WatchThe 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.More 2026 NFL Draft news:21 burning questions before the 2026 NFL Draft10 steals projected after top 50 picks in 2026 NFL DraftWhy NFL Draft trades will be less likely in 20262026 NFL Draft: Six pairs of players, same position, same team2026 NFL Draft stock reports: Who's trending up and down