Updated safety rankings for the Packers after the NFL Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine gave the Green Bay Packers more important information about the upcoming safety class.
Safety is the Packers' biggest position of need this offseason. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley needs a player who can line up as the post safety in his system, and the Packers could lose starters Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens in free agency.
It's a thin safety class, and the NFL Combine results didn't do much to change that—quite the opposite.
Miami's Kamren Kinchens was considered a Day 2 target for the Packers, but after running a 4.65 40-yard dash and earning a Relative Athletic Score of 2.11 out of 10, it's safe to assume he won't be a top target for Green Bay.
Who are the top safety prospects for the Packers after the NFL Combine?
Top 5 draft targets for Packers at safety after NFL Combine
Kinchens hurt his draft value at the combine, but others stepped up with impressive performances in Indianapolis. It's a thin safety class, so the Packers could use a combination of free agency and the draft.
These five prospects should be on Green Bay's radar entering the draft.
Rank | Name | School |
|---|---|---|
1 | Tyler Nubin | Minnesota |
2 | Javon Bullard | Georgia |
3 | Calen Bullock | USC |
4 | Jaden Hicks | Washington State |
5 | Cole Bishop | Utah |
1. Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
Tyler Nubin is the best safety in the class and would be an excellent choice for the Packers at No. 41 overall. Jeff Hafley described his "perfect" safety during his introductory press conference, and it sounded a lot like Nubin.
Nubin can be the centerfielder in Hafley's defense. He has great instincts, tackles well, and takes the ball away. He intercepted five passes in his final season at Minnesota and 12 since the start of 2021.
2. Javon Bullard, Georgia
Javon Bullard could rise up draft boards after his performance at the NFL Combine, highlighted by his 4.47-second 40-yard dash. In recent years, the Packers have used top draft picks on three Georgia Bulldogs: Eric Stokes, Quay Walker, and Devonte Wyatt. Bullard could be next.
Brian Gutekunst stressed the importance of defensive backs being able to play multiple positions, and Bullard can do that. He could play as a single-high free safety in Hafley's defense, but Bullard also has experience at slot corner.
3. Calen Bullock, USC
USC's Calen Bullock is another possible second-round target for the Packers, and he impressed at the combine with a 4.48-second 40-yard dash. Bullock is suited to playing the centerfielder role in Green Bay, making 12 pass defenses and seven interceptions in his final two seasons at USC.
Bullock's biggest concern is tackling. He would need to improve in this area to play as the last line of defense in Hafley's system.
4. Jaden Hicks, Washington State
Jaden Hicks could do a bit of everything in the Packers' defense. He is 6-foot-1, 211 pounds, and has experience playing deep, in the box, or even in the slot. It would be fun to see how Hafley uses him in his system. Hafley's experience as a defensive backs coach could get the best out of Hicks' talent and versatility.
Hicks could be a target for the Packers on Day 2 of the draft.
5. Cole Bishop, Utah
Not many Packers fans would've ranked Cole Bishop ahead of Kamren Kinchens a week ago, but here we are. Bishop was already a potential Day 2 target for Green Bay, but his combine performance could dramatically increase his draft stock.
At 6-foot-2, 206 pounds, Bishop ran an excellent 4.45-second 40-yard dash and earned an unofficial Relative Athletic Score of 9.92 out of 10. That will get the Packers' attention. Bishop can also play at multiple positions in the secondary, although his best position could be in the box.
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