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Ranking the 2025 NFL Draft Rookie Defensive Back Class

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Andrew Mukuba | © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jason Abbey Posted On May 14, 2025
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The 2025 NFL Draft shook up the IDP fantasy landscape. Some rookies walked into perfect spots for immediate production, while others found themselves buried behind veterans, waiting for their shot. Most fell somewhere in between.

Talent still reigns supreme in dynasty formats, but landing spots and draft capital can tip the scales when evaluating similarly skilled players. A great situation can fast-track a player’s value, while a poor fit can slow their rise.

In this article, we’ve ranked seven rookie defensive backs based on their talent, opportunity, and long-term upside to help you navigate their dynasty fantasy outlooks.

Travis Hunter is not listed because the Jaguars reportedly said he will “major in offense and minor in defense.” Clearly, if defensive players earn offensive points in your format, Hunter is the top-ranked DB.

Tier One

Nick Emmanwori, S SEA

Emmanwori checks most of the boxes we look for in productive IDP safeties. He’s the most athletic player at the position to enter the league since 1987, thrives when aligned in the box or slot, and his draft capital speaks volumes—the Seahawks traded picks 52 and 82 to move up to No. 35 and secure him.

When asked about the rookie, head coach Mike Macdonald pointed to how Kyle Hamilton‘s versatility allowed his Ravens defenses to keep multiple safeties on the field, offering a potential blueprint for Emmanwori’s usage in Seattle.

 

While Emmanwori may start slowly, given Julian Love and Coby Bryant‘s solid play last season, his medium-to-long-term outlook is far more appealing. With Rayshawn Jenkins gone, there is a clear opportunity for the first-team AP All-American to earn an early role. Jenkins averaged just a 36% snap share as the third safety from Weeks 12–18, but Emmanwori is being groomed for much more.

With just a 7.6% missed tackle rate in 2024 and six interceptions over the past two seasons, Emmanwori has shown the tackling efficiency and ball skills to mitigate his inconsistencies in play recognition. He fully earned his spot as DLF’s No.1 rookie dynasty safety and the 11th-ranked rookie overall.

Tier Two

Malaki Starks, S BAL

As the only safety selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Starks will probably see the field early and often. His strong pre-snap recognition, efficient tackling ability (with a career missed tackle rate of just 7.2%), and high football IQ give him outstanding potential as a top-tier NFL safety.

While he performed relatively poorly in agility drills at the NFL Combine, Starks is a smooth athlete with the closing burst and elite speed to remove any doubt that he lacks the athleticism to become a difference-maker at the next level.

 

Defensive coordinator Zack Orr and head coach John Harbaugh have praised Starks’ versatility in the secondary, hinting at their plans to move him around within different defensive packages. His do-it-all skillset should mean he thrives in any role. He has proven effective in coverage, holding opposing quarterbacks to a career passer rating of just 76.8, and excels against the run with his ability to diagnose plays quickly and close with urgency.

Orr frequently used three-safety sets early in the 2024 season, with Ar’Darius Washington often deployed in a deep role. Kyle Hamilton opened the year playing heavily in the slot before Marlon Humphrey shifted inside and took over nickel duties almost full-time. Time will tell how Starks’ arrival influences the alignments of Hamilton or others and exactly what ratio of snaps Starks will play in which role, but one thing is sure—DLF’s No 2 dynasty rookie safety will be heavily involved.

Tier Three

Xavier Watts, S ATL

Few rookies can match Watts’ playmaking instincts in coverage. Over the past two seasons, he’s racked up 13 interceptions and held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 33.7—a testament to his elite ball skills, awareness, and anticipation. Make no mistake, DLF’s No 3 dynasty rookie safety is a baller against the pass.

 

Unfortunately, his profile as a run defender is a different story. While Watts doesn’t shy away from contact, his aggressiveness sometimes gets the better of him, leading to poor tackling form. If Raheem Morris, Jeff Ulbrich, and Co. can help him clean up his technique, there’s a chance to bring down his 18% missed tackle rate from the past two years—an area that could otherwise limit his impact in the pros.

The lack of a capable complement alongside Jessie Bates III suggests Watts has a shot to earn early playing time. The Falcons signed Jordan Fuller in free agency, but he’s a liability in coverage, and they only saw fit to give him a one-year, $1.335 million deal. DeMarcco Hellams is back in the fold after missing 2024 with an ankle injury, but Watts has more upside.

Lathan Ransom, S CAR

Ransom was the ninth safety selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, meaning he has the worst draft capital of any player in this article. He fell that far because of his shortcomings in coverage, where a lack of short-area quickness creates problems, and his ability to track the ball is still a work in progress.

That said, his ability to thrive in run defense makes him an intriguing IDP option because if he can earn meaningful snaps, his physicality and instincts give him the potential to pile up tackles. His 4.2 average tackle depth is the best of any player on this list, showcasing how quickly he triggers downhill. Ransom’s relentless hustle and aggressive play style allow him to make stops that less willing defenders might not.

 

As mentioned in the rookie IDP sleepers article, Ransom’s landing spot with the Panthers is excellent, providing him a shot to earn playing time earlier than he would on most other teams. He’s not a lock to beat out Nick Scott or Demani Richardson to partner Tre’von Moehrig at safety, but they hardly represent an insurmountable challenge.

Andrew Mukuba, S PHI

Mukuba was only targeted 18 times in 2025 but came away with five interceptions, seven pass breakups, and limited opposing quarterbacks to a 12.1 passer rating. His breakout in coverage likely played a significant role in tempting the Eagles to spend a late second-round selection on him, despite many draft analysts projecting him as a third—or even early fourth-round pick.

His struggles in run defense are evident on tape, where Mukuba’s smaller frame, short arms, and lack of physicality often lead to missed tackles. But maybe the Eagles noticed what others overlooked. The youngster made great strides in this area during the second half of 2024. After missing a concerningly high 31.1% of his tackle attempts over the first seven games, he missed just one—a rate of 2.1%—across his final six appearances.

 

Vic Fangio deploys two-deep safety looks at a high rate, and with CJ Gardner-Johnson no longer on the roster, there’s an open spot to fill. Andrew Mukuba will compete with Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, and Tristin McCollum for that role. If the rookie secures the starting job, his ball skills could give him solid IDP appeal in leagues that reward big plays. If your league fits that profile, there’s a case for moving him higher on this list. He remains here for now because fantasy managers should temper expectations for an immediate starting role, and even when he does get his chance, he will probably produce modest tackle numbers.

Tier Four

Kevin Winston Jr., S TEN

Winston is a polarizing prospect for various reasons, and his outlook has been made more difficult to project because of his inexperience. He missed almost the entire 2024 season with a partially torn ACL.

On one hand, Winston has prototypical size, excellent closing speed, and is a force against the run. Fundamentally sound as a tackler, he missed none of his 65 attempts between 2022 and 2023.

 

On the other hand, Winston has stiff hips and can be slow to react, especially against play-action, which means he struggles to mirror routes in coverage.

The Titans signed Xavier Woods, and he has the inside track to the starting role next to Amani Hooker at safety in Dennard Wilson’s defense. Winston Jr. has expressed confidence in his recovery from injury. Still, it makes sense that the Titans would bring him along slowly, allowing him to learn behind Woods and Hooker before potentially replacing Hooker, whose current deal expires in 2026.

Jahdae Barron, CB DEN

Barron is an outstanding talent with the tools to develop into one of the league’s premier cornerbacks. He thrives in zone coverage, where his sharp recognition, instincts, and closing speed consistently disrupt opposing offenses. While his height and wingspan aren’t ideal, that’s splitting hairs on an otherwise elite profile.

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Data courtesy of mockdraftable.com.

It’s rare to find a rookie who’s equally comfortable on the outside, in the slot, and even in the box—but Barron fits that mold. He will see the field early and often; the only question is where. Whether it’s Riley Moss, who worked primarily as an outside corner, or Ja’Quan McMillian, who held down the slot role, one or both is likely to cede snaps as Barron’s versatility gives the Broncos the freedom to shuffle their secondary.

Playing opposite reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II almost guarantees Barron will see plenty of targets, translating into more chances for tackles, pass breakups, and possibly interceptions. Last year, McMillian and Moss saw the fourth- and seventh-most targets among all corners despite neither player ranking in the top 15 in coverage snaps.

Jason Abbey
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