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2023 NFL Draft Betting Predictions: Safety Odds

by Matt Zitt - 4/26/2023

NFL Draft betting predictions for safety Brian Branch

Safety is no longer the premium position that it used to be. Last year, two safeties were drafted in the first round. However, the two prior drafts saw zero safeties taken on Day 1. It takes a rare athlete at safety to garner an organization’s first round pick. This year, I expect only Brian Branch from Alabama to go in the first round. Another may sneak in at the tail end of the first. However, with the massive talent at wide receiver and running back, teams like Buffalo and Cincy could lean that route instead of safety. Below, we’ll analyze the top names of the 2023 safety class.

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Safety Favorites Analysis for the 2023 NFL Draft

Brian Branch (Alabama)

Branch has been predicted to be a top-16 selection in this year’s NFL Draft. For the past two years, he was overshadowed by teammate Jordan Battle, who was named a third-team All American. However, Branch is rated as the better professional prospect, according to most NFL Insiders and front offices. No teams in the first half of Round 1 are in desperate need of a safety, so the Bama product will be picked as “best player available.” As a junior in 2022, he tallied 63 tackles, six pass breakups, and one interception.

Antonio Johnson (Texas A&M)

Johnson should not be drafted in the first round barring a real surprise by a safety-needy team like the Bengals or Bills. Praised for his versatility, Texas A&M used Johnson in a variety of defensive alignments. Standing at 6-foot-3 and almost 200 pounds, he has the size to be a box safety in the NFL. Scouts are keen on Johnson’s ball tracking skills and instincts. He played in nine games in 2022, contributing 55 tackles and 16 assists.

Christopher Smith (Georgia)

Praised for his football IQ and leadership, Georgia named Smith a captain in multiple seasons as he led the Bulldogs’ locker room to back-to-back National Championships. In 2022 as a fifth-year senior, Smith saw action in 13 games while playing 699 snaps. He tallied 41 tackles, 10 assists, and made 15 stops. In coverage, he had four pass breakups, three interceptions, and surrendered an elite QB rating when targeted at 50.6. He earned the 2022 Associated Press and Coaches’ All-SEC First Team honors. Smith should be a Day 2 pick.

Jordan Battle (Alabama)

Battle should be locked into a Day 2 selection of this year’s draft. He is an extremely physical safety capable of playing in the box when needed and displays a very high football IQ. Despite being a third-team All American and multi-first team All-SEC honoree, Battle is the second-best safety prospect from Alabama this year. As a senior in 2022, Battle played in 12 games and logged over 900 snaps. He tallied 42 tackles, 18 assists, and made 11 stops. In pass coverage, he had one pass breakup, one interception, and surrendered a QB rating of 87.9.

Sydney Brown (Illinois)

Brown saw his draft stock rise after the Senior Bowl. He is very physical at safety and praised for his versatility. He can play box safety as well as man-to-man DB on the outside. Listed as a safety for the draft, he can really play anywhere needed. He is a tremendous athlete, and his downfall is true size to defend tight ends in the nickel package. As a fifth year senior, Brown saw action in 12 games while playing in over 700 snaps. He logged 56 tackles, 15 assists, and made 25 stops. In coverage, Brown had five pass breakups, six interceptions, and surrendered a QB rating when targeted at 47.8. He racked up a ton of honors and awards that include: 2022 USA Today All-American second team, 2022 PFF All-American third team, 2022 All-Big Ten first team (coaches), and 2022 All-Big Ten second team (media).

Safety Predictions for the 2023 NFL Draft

First Safety selected in draft: Brian Branch

Under 1.5 safeties selected in the first round

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