Kyle Hamilton became the highest-drafted safety in recent years when he came off the board 14th-overall to the Baltimore Ravens a few weeks ago.
Could the 2023 NFL draft class see another safety push that high up the board?
If the current “way too early” mock drafts are to be believed, perhaps not. The highest-ranked safety at the moment is Malachi Moore from Alabama, who is coming off the board in mock drafts outside the top 15.
This time a year ago, Hamilton was lurking around the top five.
Of course, a lot can change in a year. Here are the safeties to watch for the 2023 NFL draft.
If you have missed any of the previous watch lists, you can view them here:
Quarterbacks to watch for the 2023 NFL draft
Wide receivers to watch for the 2023 NFL draft
Running backs to watch for the 2023 NFL draft
Tight ends to watch for the 2023 NFL draft
Offensive linemen to watch for the 2023 NFL draft
Edge defenders to watch for the 2023 NFL draft
Off-ball linebackers to watch for the 2023 NFL draft
Cornerbacks to watch for the 2023 NFL draft
Jordan Battle, Alabama
(Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
Coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Jordan Battle graded as a consensus four-star recruit, and was one of the top safeties in the 2019 recruiting class. He chose Alabama over Miami, Ohio State and Oklahoma, and carved out a role in the secondary as a true freshman in 2019. That season Battle made four starts, notching 30 tackles and an interception.
Battle moved into the starting lineup for the 2020 campaign, and finished third on the team with 66 total tackles. He also recorded three tackles for a loss, four pass breakups and an interception. That interception came against Kentucky, and he returned it for a 45-yard touchdown.
Last season, Battle put together his best year for the Crimson Tide as he recorded 86 total tackles and three pass breakups. He was named A third-Team All-American by the Associated Press, and a First-Team All-SEC player by both the media and the…