Here’s a look at the top 10 safety prospects in the NFL draft:
1. Kenny Vacarro, 6-feet, 214 pounds, Texas (Projection: first round): He finished with 92 tackles and seven pass break-ups last season. He's a combination safety, who can roam as a free safety and drop down in the box like a strong safety. "I can see his quickness, his change of direction and his tackling ability, all of which I love," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "The hard part is to find him covering a deep half or a third because he didn't do much of that this year."
2. Jonathan Cyprien, 6-0, 217, Florida International (late first, second): He became the school's all-time leading tackler last season and was invited to the Senior Bowl. After a strong week of work in Mobile, he's no longer a secret and will be selected before several other safeties from bigger schools. He did not perform at the combine because of hamstring and pectoral injuries.
3. Matt Elam, 5-10, 208 Florida (late first, second): He's one of the top tacklers in the draft and has a highlight reel from the SEC to back him up. He is sturdy in run support. His brother Abraham Elam is a safety for the Chiefs and has played for the Cowboys, Jets and Browns.
4. Shamarko Thomas, 5-9, 213, Syracuse (second): He lost both parents within in a nine-month span during his sophomore season and has five siblings. He's a ferocious hitter who's overcome some difficult turns in his life. He started all 13 games as a senior and led the Orange with 85 tackles.
5. D.J. Swearinger, 5-10, 208, South Carolina (second): The four-year starter was the captain of the Gamecocks' defense. He's known around the SEC as a big-hitter. He played some cornerback last season.
6. J.J. Wilcox, 6-0, 213, Georgia Southern (second/third): He played some wide receiver and slot back early in his career in Statesboro. He was moved to safety only last season, but was impressive at the Senior Bowl.
7. Eric Reid, 6-1, 213, LSU (second/third): He played three strong seasons at LSU before declaring a year early for the draft. He has nice size and range.
8. Bacarri Rambo, 6-0, 211, Georgia (second/third): He had a spectacular junior season and was named to the Associated Press first-team All-American and All-SEC teams. Last season, he got off to a slow start after serving a suspension for a failed drug test. He reads well and normally makes a quick break to the ball.
9. Phillip Thomas, 6-0, 208, Fresno State (third/fourth): He suffered a broken left leg before the start of the 2011 season. He came back in 2012 and led the nation in interceptions with eight. He returned three for touchdowns.
10. Shawn Williams, 6-0, 213, Georgia (third/fourth): A gritty and tenacious player. He could be a true enforcer in the NFL.
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