IDP Rookie Safeties: Impact Players and Sleepers

The 2024 NFL Draft is behind us, and it’s time to take a look at some of the impact IDPs out there, with a few sleepers mixed in for good measure.  Let’s move on to the safeties.

If you want to reference our defensive rookie rankings, they can be found here.

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IDP Rookie Safeties: The Big 3

Tyler Nubin, NY Giants

There are a few safeties that landed in pretty solid spots, the first of which is the ex-Gopher Nubin.  Gone is Xavier McKinney, leaving a gaping hole at the strong safety spot for the G-men.  Dane Belton is an intriguing name who has produced when called upon, but Nubin offers way more upside and Belton is probably better suited for a situational/rotational role.  Nubin has great size for the position and is adept at both the run-stopping and in pass coverage.  He should step right in as the starter alongside Jason Pinnock.  He’ll offer lower-level DB1 upside from Day 1. 

Javon Bullard, Green Bay

Another rookie safety that’s landed in a solid spot as a potential starter is Bullard, the ex-Georgia Bulldog.  Bullard is a tremendous athlete with a high football IQ and ball skills.  He will likely get the starting nod alongside the aforementioned Xavier McKinney in Green Bay.  Nubin probably offers a higher floor given his strong safety spot and run-stopping prowess, but Bullard may have better big-play ability in the passing game.  He offers high-end DB2 upside as a rookie.

Cole Bishop, Buffalo

And finally, there’s Bishop, who also has some starting potential.  The Bills let Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer walk, opening up a spot for Bishop and the re-signed Taylor Rapp.  Rapp will handle Hyde’s old spot, which came with a higher floor but a lower ceiling.  Bishop will take Poyer’s old spot, which may have a little more variance in terms of weekly production but a bit of upside in terms of big-play scoring.  Bishop has tremendous size for the free safety spot (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) but is incredibly versatile and quick to the runner and potential receiver of the football.  He’s got great instincts and a high football IQ, which will allow him to easily step right into the Bills’ aggressive defense from the start of the season.  Check out some of Bishop's highlights here.

 IDP Rookie Safeties: Sleepers

Kamren Kinchens, LA Rams

It’s not every day that you see two players named Kamren in the same defensive backfield, but Kinchens joins Kamren Curl in the Rams’ secondary.  Curl will likely be the starter but is only signed for a couple of years. This gives Kinchens a good bit of upside as he is a solid athlete who seeks out the ballcarrier with speed and aggressiveness.  He’s also adept in the passing game.  Curl is a solid vet who will likely see the box snaps for 2024, but if Kinchens impresses in spot duty, he may be the starter in 2025 and beyond.  If you miss out on one of the big three” and want to park a safety on your taxi squad, Kinchens comes with a good bit of upside.

Calen Bullock, Houston

After an incredible rookie season, Jalen Pitre took a small step back in 2024 in terms of fantasy production.  Whether he swings back to where he was in 2023 will be a determining factor as to Bullock’s overall fantasy outlook.  Right now, though, Bullock will be a rotational role at best seeing that the Texans signed Jimmie Ward to handle the centerfield duties of the defense while Pitre is more of a box safety.  That said, while Bullock is currently penciled in as Ward’s backup, Bullock could bulk up a bit and find himself backing up Pitre instead, as his run-stopping prowess is there.  Like Kinchens, he has great ball awareness and finds himself in the mix tackling-wise with regularity, a trait that could mean he switches to a backup box safety.  Still, we’d have to see a significant injury to Pitre (or Ward) for Bullock to have any value in the next 2-3 years.