The NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away. Throughout free agency, the Patriots addressed key needs across the roster, positioning themselves to take the best player available with the 31st overall pick.
One of their most notable additions was safety Kevin Byard, whom they signed in free agency. Byard is coming off one of the strongest seasons of his career, leading the NFL with seven interceptions while earning his third All-Pro selection and a third trip to the Pro Bowl with the Chicago Bears.
Byard is a difference-maker in both the pass game, where he shows off incredible ball skills and playmaking ability, and the run game, where he has great anticipation and is a sure tackler.
Despite his outstanding season, there are still significant questions surrounding his future.
He’ll be 33 years old when the season begins and was released by a Bears team that badly needed defensive help, which raises some eyebrows. It’s reasonable to wonder if they believe he may be nearing the end of his prime, especially given that the Patriots signed him to just a one-year deal.
Furthermore, despite leading the league in interceptions a season ago, they came against the likes of Joe Milton, Geno Smith (twice), JJ McCarthy, Spencer Rattler, Jalen Hurts, and Jared Goff (off a tipped pass).
The Super Bowl showcased how Seattle leveraged three safeties – Julian Love, Coby Bryant, and Nick Emmanwori – to smother Drake Maye and New England’s offense. For the Patriots, it outlined a clear blueprint: prioritize the position’s future and incorporate more flexible three-safety looks.
Here are five options at safety the Patriots could turn to in the NFL Draft:
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
McNeil-Warren has been one of the most talked-about prospects in recent draft discussions. The 6-foot-3, 201-pound safety is a rare combination of length, athleticism, and physicality. He excels in the “robber” role, patrolling the middle of the field, or when lined up closer to the line of scrimmage. Using his size and reach, he consistently sheds blocks and delivers forceful tackles, making him a standout against the run.
His instincts and anticipation allow him to read plays quickly, and his aggressive style brings plenty of highlight-reel moments that energize fans. He also boasts solid ball skills and enough speed to close in on pass breakups, while his playmaking ability is evident in his nine forced fumbles, which show his knack for creating turnovers.
McNeil-Warren does lack elite speed, which limits his impact in the passing game. His lack of quickness could raise concerns about his ability to cover ground, particularly in deep coverage. Early on, teams likely won’t rely on him to match up against speedy receivers or athletic tight ends in the secondary. Patriots fans will find themselves making comparisons to Kyle Dugger as they watch McNeil-Warren navigate the passing game.
He also played at Toledo, which is not currently in any of the Power Four conferences, and looking back at their 2025 schedule, it’s hard to find top-end competition. Despite the program producing NFL-caliber defensive backs, such as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, there are concerns about how McNeil-Warren can translate his talents to the NFL.
Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Smart, rangy, and versatile. Three words that immediately come to mind when watching Thieneman’s game. At both Purdue and Oregon, he consistently made plays and left his mark on the game.
His ability to line up all over the field showcased his adaptability and impressive football IQ. If the Patriots want to start looking to disguise coverages and present varied looks to opposing quarterbacks, the former Duck could be the answer.
He’s an intelligent player with a strong grasp of defensive reads, consistently recognizing offensive intentions. He excels in zone coverage, showing a keen sense of where receivers aim to go. While, like many safeties, man coverage can be a challenge, he possesses enough speed to limit separation and force quarterbacks into tight-window throws.
At last month’s NFL Combine, he impressed with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, ranking fourth among safeties, and an eye-popping 41-inch vertical jump, placing him second.
Tackling may not be his strongest skill, but he consistently demonstrates a willingness to step up and make plays. His tackle numbers speak more to his effort and anticipation than his physical ability.
There don’t appear to be any glaring weaknesses in his game.
Thieneman projects as an immediate-impact starter for whichever team selects him. He’s arguably the most well-rounded safety in the 2026 Draft, and if he somehow falls to the Patriots at No. 31, they should be sprinting to the podium to get the pick in.
AJ Haulcy, LSU
Friend of WEEI Afternoons, Mike Giardi, referred to Haulcy as “one bad mamma jamma.” He may not have nailed down exactly what he meant, but turn on the tape of the LSU safety and the meaning becomes pretty clear.
His nickname, “Mr. Give Me That,” fits him perfectly.
His instincts and ball skills are undeniable, and they show up consistently on tape. Over the last two seasons at LSU and the University of Houston, he’s totaled eight interceptions and broken up 12 passes. He diagnoses plays quickly, anticipates routes with ease, and displays the kind of field awareness you want anchoring the back end of a defense.
LSU has long been a pipeline for elite defensive backs, including Tyrann Mathieu, Derek Stingley Jr., and Patrick Peterson. Haulcy looks poised to carry that tradition forward at the next level.
Haulcy brings more than just coverage ability; he’s a tone-setter against the run and arguably the most physical safety in this class. His tackling can be inconsistent, but when he arrives with proper timing, he delivers punishing blows that will excite a crowd.
Haulcy’s primary weakness is his lack of elite speed, evident in his 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, which was the third-slowest among qualifying safeties. This could create challenges in man coverage, especially when he’s isolated one-on-one in open space. Additionally, his tackling technique can be inconsistent; he often aims for highlight-reel hits rather than sound form. While that approach can work in college, he’ll need to clean that up to succeed at the professional level.
Kamari Ramsey, USC
Versatility defines Ramsey’s game. His greatest strength is his ability to line up anywhere in the secondary, whether at nickel corner, where he saw significant time last season, or across all three safety spots. He is a true Swiss Army knife, the kind of player any defense can move around and rely on to fill multiple roles.
One player who consistently comes to mind when watching Ramsey is Jalen Pitre of the Houston Texans. He is often overshadowed by some of the bigger names on that defense, but he is every bit as essential to their success as anyone on the unit.
Ramsey is effective in both zone and man coverage, showing disciplined eyes and strong ball skills in zone that generate takeaways, while his athleticism and size allow him to stay with receivers in man, particularly when lined up in the slot.
He is a willing and reliable tackler, something not every safety in this class can claim, and it shows up in both the run game and the short passing game. His tackling improved significantly from 2024 to 2025 and is quickly becoming one of the strongest parts of his game.
His production dipped last season after he missed four games due to injury and illness, and durability concerns have contributed to his declining stock, especially considering he also missed two games in 2024. He also lacked support around him at USC, as he was not playing alongside any Day 1 or Day 2 caliber defenders.
By no means is Ramsey a first-round talent, but the Patriots could certainly spend a Day 2 pick on the USC product and find a role for him on their defense during his rookie season.
Treydan Stukes, Arizona
Stukes served as a team captain and anchored Arizona’s defense last season, with his leadership strengthened by his experience as a sixth-year senior.
His speed isn’t limited to his performance at the Combine, as he plays with an impressive quickness. For a Patriots defense that wants to get “younger and faster,” Stukes makes a lot of sense.
He turned heads at the Combine, running a blazing 4.33-second 40-yard dash, second fastest among safeties, while also posting the second quickest 10-yard split, highlighting his elite explosiveness.
At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Stukes gives the Patriots the ability to stay in nickel packages without sacrificing size, a challenge they have faced in recent years with Marcus Jones. Patriots fans will recall last season’s matchup against the Falcons, where Jones struggled against the taller Drake London. Stukes offers the team the chance to field three cornerbacks standing six feet or taller. As talented as Jones is, the combination of size and athleticism this would bring is tempting for any defensive playcaller.
If teams are expecting him to line up man-to-man, they may be disappointed, but when he can face the line of scrimmage and keep his eyes on the quarterback, he can showcase his talents in the passing game. His ball skills are what you want from a safety, evident from his four interceptions a season ago. He breaks well on the ball and gets his head around to avoid taking penalties. Stukes would be a nice compliment to Craig Woodson as the safety pairing of the future for New England.
Some of the concerns surrounding the Arizona safety stem from his lengthy college career and age, as the soon-to-be rookie is already 24. Combined with his injury history, including an ACL tear in 2024, his draft stock has taken a hit. His situation reflects a broader trend in recent classes, with COVID seasons and NIL opportunities leading to older prospects entering the league. If not for his age, Stukes could project as an early Day Two selection. As a sixth-year senior, teams will expect him to step in and contribute right away.
He is not the most physical tackler in this class and does not project as a major contributor in the run game. His anticipation can be inconsistent, and he too often finds himself out of position after misreading play fakes.
Byard will likely replace Stefon Diggs as the team leader next season in New England, and Stukes could look to be Byard’s apprentice both on the field and in the locker room.
