Although the safety position looks to be down again for the 2012 NFL Draft, it is much better than this year’s mediocre class.
2012 NFL Draft rankings: Safeties
The first true safety wasn't picked this year until the Broncos picked UCLA's Rahim Moore 45th overall. If some of the juniors come out, the position should garner some first round interest. The single player who can rise the most of the safety group is Miami's Ray Ray Armstrong. The top junior safety, I have Armstrong rated 36th overall. That is largely based on him starting only four games last season.
A faller could be Maryland's Kenny Tate. While he's rated as the top senior safety (and 30th overall), he's playing a hybrid linebacker/safety position this season. That could negatively impact his draft stock as he'll most likely be playing closer the line of scrimmage.
Get the full safety rankings after the jump.
| 1. Kenny Tate | 6'4, 220 pounds | S | Maryland |
| 2. Mark Barron | 6'2, 215 pounds | S | Alabama |
| 3. Delano Howell | 5'11, 198 pounds | S | Stanford |
| 4. Tony Dye | 5'11, 205 pounds | S | UCLA |
| 5. Eddie Whitley | 6'1, 195 pounds | S | Virginia Tech |
| 6. Markelle Martin | 6'1, 198 pounds | S | Oklahoma State |
| 7. Lance Mitchell | 6'2, 207 pounds | S | Oregon State |
| 8. Robert Golden | 5'11, 200 pounds | S | Arizona |
| 9. Duke Ihenacho | 6'1, 210 pounds | S | San Jose State |
| 10. Tramain Thomas | 6'0, 198 pounds | S | Arkansas |
| 11. Brandon Taylor | 6'0, 195 pounds | S | LSU |
| 12. Winston Guy | 6'1, 210 pounds | S | Kentucky |
| 13. Sean Cattouse | 6'2, 213 pounds | S | California |
| 14. Harrison Smith | 6'2, 214 pounds | S | Notre Dame |
| 15. Kelcie McCray | 6'2, 195 pounds | S | Arkansas State |
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JUNIORS: |
| 1. Ray Ray Armstrong | 6'4, 220 pounds | S | Miami (Fla.) * |
| 2. Robert Lester | 6'2, 210 pounds | S | Alabama * |
| 3. DeVonte Holloman | 6'2, 226 pounds | S | South Carolina * |
| 4. T.J. McDonald | 6'3, 205 pounds | S | Southern California * |
| 5. Jarred Holley | 5'10, 180 pounds | S | Pittsburgh * |
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