The Baltimore Ravens don’t have a safety problem, but they may have a timing problem. That distinction matters. The foundation is already strong with All-Pro-caliber chess piece Kyle Hamilton and 2025 first-round addition Malaki Starks anchoring the future. Roster construction in the NFL, however, is rarely about what you have today. It's often about what you might lose tomorrow.
Both Alohi Gilman and Ar'Darius Washington are staring at free agency if extensions aren't offered. That creates a potential depth concern behind two young stars. Baltimore has long valued versatile defensive backs who can disguise coverages, blitz, and tackle in space. You remember that Ed Reed fellow, don't you?
That philosophy makes this upcoming draft class particularly interesting. Here are six safeties who fit what the Ravens historically covet: intelligence, physicality, and positional flexibility.
Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes
Last season was one for the ages. Caleb Downs took home the Lott Trophy and the Jim Thorpe Award. He was also named First-Team All-Big Ten and a Unanimous All-American. That's the second time he has earned both of those honors.
A College Football Playoff National Champion (2024), he has the tools to succeed in the NFL immediately. We're labeling him the valedictorian of this class at the safety position.
Kamari Ramsey, USC Trojans
Ramsey brings size, physicality, and downhill aggression. The Ravens have a history of appreciating tone-setting defenders who thrive near the line of scrimmage. That's this young man's calling card. His ability to cover tight ends and support the run would complement Hamilton's hybrid role nicely.
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon Ducks
Dillon Thieneman notched two solid seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers (2023-24) before transferring to Oregon. He earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 and grades as a potential Day 2 prospect, at least in our opinion.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo Rockets
If Toledo doesn't know anything else, they're well aware of what NFL-ready secondary players look like. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was a teammate of Philadelphia Eagles star Quinyon Mitchell and Seattle Seahawks safety Maxen Hook for two seasons (2022-23).
He's also good in his own right, having notched 77 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and five pass deflections last season. He's six-foot-two and weighs 202 pounds.
A.J. Haulcy, LSU Tigers
First-Team All-SEC and First-Team All-American honors were a nice period at the end of the sentence for A.J. Haulcy in 2025. He tallied 89 tackles, three interceptions, and four passes broken up.
Haulcy’s size and athletic profile scream Ravens football. He’s built to handle AFC North physicality and offers special teams value early while developing into a defensive contributor.
Javon Kilgore, South Carolina Gamecocks
A Second-Team All-SEC nod for the second time last season. Javon Kilgore also made the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2023.
He is a high-IQ defender with strong tackling fundamentals and positional awareness. Coaches trust players like him quickly, which matters for a team with playoff expectations every year.
Worth noting:
The reality is that Baltimore may not need to draft a safety early for a while now. Hamilton and Starks could lock down the position for years, but depth is necessary in the NFL. Losing Gilman and Washington would both be huge losses.
Championship organizations plan for contract cycles, injuries, and roster churn before problems emerge. If Gilman and Washington depart, the Ravens won't need to panic. They'll need to pivot. That’s what smart teams like this one often do.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Top safety prospects to add to the Ravens draft board