The Athletic has live coverage of NFL training camp.Editor’s note: This is the eighth installment of Dane Brugler’s 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting series. Previous ranking: Wide receivers | Defensive tackles | Running backs | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Interior offensive linemen | Offensive tacklesNFL teams don’t reach for safeties in the early rounds. Caleb Downs, Kyle Hamilton, Brian Branch, Dillon Thieneman, Malaki Starks, Nick Emmanwori — those are just a few of the recent safety prospects who weren’t drafted as high as many thought they should be.That trend will almost certainly continue in the 2027 NFL Draft class. Regardless, though, it looks like a deep, exciting safety group, at least based on early viewing.(Notes: An asterisk represents draft-eligible underclassmen. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player, per league sources.)1. KJ Bolden, Georgia (6 feet tall, 190 pounds)*Best traits: Alert and athleticBolden checks a lot of boxes for what NFL teams want at safety. He is fast, competitive and instinctive, and he walks the fine line of being patient while also playing aggressively. That alertness and athleticism form his foundation, which explains why he makes plays in coverage and rarely misses tackles.Normally, I ignore freshmen and sophomores when watching tape — I need every available minute and brain cell to scout the draft-eligible players. But Bolden was nearly impossible to overlook on the Georgia tape the past two years.This third-down play in overtime from the 2024 SEC championship game still sticks with me:KJ Bolden vs. TexasDane BruglerIt would be easy for a freshman safety to take a false step or float with the in-breaking routes, but Bolden stays home with his eyes in the right place and reads the delayed clear-out screen the entire way. Not only does he patiently diagnose the play, but he also shows off his athleticism and open-field tackling to explode, drive and make a sound, touchdown-saving stop. Texas settles for a field goal, then Georgia scores a game-winning touchdown the next drive.Must improve: Adding bulk/weightListed at 195 pounds on the roster, Bolden looks closer to 185 but strikes as if he weighs 230. His physicality in run support is part of what makes him my top-ranked safety entering the season. But flying downhill against ball carriers or working off blockers will be a challenge at the next level, so evaluators will feel better about his projection if Bolden tips the scales at 200 pounds (not sub-190) at the combine in February.2027 NFL Draft outlookA do-everything athlete in high school, Bolden was the top-ranked safety recruit in the country and initially committed to Florida State before flipping to his home-state Georgia. He played a pivotal role in Kirby Smart’s secondary rotation as a freshman and created immediate buzz as a player to watch.Bolden was an enjoyable study on film because he is a very well-rounded football player. He is an outstanding athlete, but his football intelligence and competitive toughness are equally impressive. When he arrived in Athens, Bolden learned from Malaki Starks, the 27th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Bolden has the ingredients to be drafted even higher.2. Tae Johnson, Notre Dame (6-2, 197)*Best traits: Decisiveness and rangeSafeties who second-guess leave plays on the field. Johnson trusts his instincts and eyes to lead him to the football. It doesn’t mean he has a perfect batting average, but his decisive reactions — and athletic range — allow him to jump throws, cover deep or mirror runners as a tackler.Johnson used his ball-hawking instincts to collect four interceptions in 10 games last season, including this 49-yard pick six against Pitt:Tae Johnson vs. PittDane BruglerMust improve: Tightening run anglesJohnson patrols sideline to sideline in run support, and once in position, he rarely misses chances to get ball carriers on the ground. But he has room to button up some of his run angles, especially when he is forced to weave through crowded spaces. Johnson is also leaner than ideal, standing at under 200 pounds on a long 6-2 frame.2027 NFL Draft outlookA Fort Wayne native, Brauntae “Tae” Johnson was one of the top recruits out of Indiana in the 2024 class and committed to Notre Dame. After redshirting in 2024, he became a starter early in 2025 and quickly separated himself as one of the emerging players on the Irish defense.Johnson missed time due to injury each of his first two years in South Bend, but the hope is he’ll stay healthy in 2026. If he does, he has All-America and first-round potential.3. Jaylen McClain, Ohio State (5-11, 200)*Best trait: Trigger-and-drive speedA cornerback in high school, McClain is a very smooth athlete who can flip his hips and cover ground. He shows similar range on plays in front of him, using his instincts and burst to trigger and drive on the football.Ohio State was loaded with draft-eligible studs on last year’s defense, so I probably watched that unit more than any other in the ’26 class. But, even though McClain was a true sophomore, I took plenty of notes on how often No. 18 came flashing across my screen — as it does on this pass breakup against Ohio:Jaylen McClain vs. Ohio Dane BruglerMust improve: Ball productionMcClain has the athletic traits to arrive with the football, but they didn’t always show in the box score — he finished 2025 with only three pass breakups and zero interceptions. Though he shows the awareness to sort through route combinations and play decisively, his timing and nose for the football have room for improvement.2027 NFL Draft outlookMcClain is another example that development is as important as recruitment. A lowly ranked high school recruit, McClain was the No. 36 safety in the 2024 class out of Seton Hall Prep in New Jersey, and the No. 18 recruit in Ohio State’s class. But he proved to be a valuable depth piece as a freshman before becoming a starting safety alongside Caleb Downs last season.With the Buckeyes having to replace impact defenders including Downs, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, Matt Patricia’s squad will understandably take a step back in 2026. But it will be a great opportunity for new impact players to emerge — McClain is at the top of the list.4. Jelani McDonald, Texas (6-2, 194)Best trait: Burst to the ballPrimarily lining up as the field safety, McDonald has the responsibility of covering more grass than anyone else. He is smooth in his pedal and can open his hips to get vertical and not allow receivers to get deeper than him. McDonald also shows burst out of his transitions when working laterally or downhill in run pursuit.McDonald had a meager 5.4 percent missed tackle rate in 2025, which led all FBS safeties with 730-plus defensive snaps. His burst, to the ball and through the ball carrier, is outstanding.Jelani McDonald vs. KentuckyDane BruglerMust improve: Anticipating blocksMcDonald keeps his eyes glued to the football to read and drive with speed and bad intentions. He can do a better job anticipating roadblocks, however, whether it is a slot receiver picking him off or a pulling tight end in the run game.2027 NFL Draft outlookFrom quarterback to cornerback, McDonald was asked to do a little bit of everything in high school. Recruited as an athlete, the Waco native arrived at Texas and stayed in the secondary, where he worked himself into the rotation as a redshirt freshman. McDonald became a full-time starter last season and responded by emerging as one of the SEC’s top safeties.My top-ranked senior prospect at his position, McDonald has the movement skills of a cornerback but the mentality and reliable tackling of a safety. The Longhorns are young in the secondary, but they have a safety with the talent to compete for a spot in the top 60 next April.5. Ty Benefield, LSU (6-2, 208)Best traits: Physical giftsIt might not always be picture perfect, but Benefield is a long, impressive athlete with forgiving traits. He passes the eye test, at 6-2, 208 with just under 33-inch arms and 10 1/4-inch hands (as measured by scouts this spring). And with 4.4 speed, fluid transition skills and toughness as a finisher, Benefield checks a lot of boxes.Ty Benefield vs. Utah StateDane BruglerMust improve: Tackling techniqueAs a pursuit tackler, Benefield can be something of a roller coaster. With his closing speed and body length, he is a rangy tackler, but he also tends to be wild with his angles and inconsistent with his breakdown skills and wrap technique. Among the UNLV, Fresno State and Washington tapes from last season, I tallied 14 missed tackles — an issue that must be addressed in 2026, especially facing better competition in the SEC.2027 NFL Draft outlookA three-star recruit, Benefield passed on offers from BYU and Washington to sign with Boise State, where he became an immediate starter as a freshman. He earned honorable mention All-Mountain West as a sophomore and had his most productive season last year, collecting a team-best 107 tackles (70 solo, which led the league) and two interceptions.Benefield would have been considered a Day 2 prospect had he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, but he tested the portal waters instead and drew substantial interest. He signed a lucrative deal with LSU and quickly created buzz in Baton Rouge this spring for his work ethic and impact in practice. Between Benefield and 6-3, 210-pound Dashawn Spears, LSU has rare size at safety.Top 25 senior safety prospects:1. McDonald