2014 NFL Draft safety rankings

Alabama’s HaHa Clinton-Dix is the top safety in the class due to his skill against the run and pass.

Mar 21, 2014, 12:00 PM UTC

The safety class in the 2014 NFL Draft in strong at the top with Alabama’s HaHa Clinton-Dix. While he took some time to develop, Clinton-Dix showed last season he is a complete safety. He has athleticism and range in coverage, and physicality in the run game.

Calvin Pryor of Louisville is just behind him. He’s capable of doing many of the same things as Clinton-Dix is but is a little smaller and a little slower. He and Clinton-Dix are the only two likely first-round picks in the draft. Jimmie Ward of Northern Illinois is on the fringe of the first. Ward’s specialty is coverage and some teams may even consider him a cornerback. The same can be said of Florida State’ Lamarcus Joyner.

Washington State’s Deone Bucannon is more of a pure safety. He can deliver crushing blows and has good hands for the position.

The rest of the class is filled out by a group of decent players who don’t do a lot to stand out. Some players like Craig Loston and Ahmad Dixon are big hitters. Others, like Hakeem Smith or Sean Parker make their name as coverage specialists.

1. Ha'Sean "HaHa" Clinton-Dix | 6'1 3/8, 208 pounds | Safety | Alabama *

2. Calvin Pryor | 5'11 1/8, 207 pounds | Safety | Louisville *

3. Jimmie Ward | 5'11, 193 pounds | Safety | Northern Illinois

4. Lamarcus Joyner | 5'8, 184 pounds | Cornerback | Florida State

5. Deone Bucannon | 6'1, 211 pounds | Safety | Washington State

6. Dion Bailey | 5'11 3/4, 201 pounds | Safety | Southern California *

7. Craig Loston | 6'0 5/8, 217 pounds | Safety | LSU

8. Tre Boston | 5'11 5/8, 204 pounds | Safety | North Carolina

9. Hakeem Smith | 6'1, 197 pounds | Safety | Louisville

10. Ahmad Dixon | 6'0, 212 pounds | Safety | Baylor

11. Terrence Brooks | 5'10 7/8, 198 pounds | Safety | Florida State

12. Sean Parker | 5'10, 195 pounds | Safety | Washington