JACKSONVILLE – The secondary isn't secondary at all this year.

When it comes to the 2026 NFL Draft, the defensive backfield ranks among the class' best positions – and not just at the traditionally high-profile cornerback position.

This is a strong draft for the back of the defense overall.

"It's one of the better years we've had at safety," NFL Media and Jaguars Analyst Bucky Brooks said.

Caleb Downs of Ohio State is widely considered the top safety in the '26 draft class and has been projected to be selected in the Top 10. Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman also has been regularly projected in Round 1, as has Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

"Those three guys are three of the best players in the draft, not just three of the best safeties," NFL Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. "They're going to be in high demand. Those are the big three. There's a little bit of a gap before you get to the rest of these guys."

Safeties such as A.J. Haulcy of Louisiana State, Bud Clark of Texas Christian, Jason Kilgore of South Carolina and Zakee Wheatley of Penn State, Genesis Smith of Arizona and Kamari Ramsey of Southern California have been projected as Day 3 selections.

"Safety has evolved where you have to have guys that have a bunch of different tools – playing deep, blitzing, being able to cover the tight end in space," Brooks said. "You have to be a bit of a decathlete. This class features a bunch of guys that can bring those skills to the table."

The '26 cornerback class also is considered strong, particularly early.

"It's really good," Brooks said of the cornerback class, with Jeremiah calling it "a nice mix of outside guys and one of the really, really good groups of slot corners that I've seen in the last few years. It's not quite as deep as we've been in some other years, but really solid."

Others believe the cornerback class is strong through the early part of Day 3.

"There's huge bucket of Round 2, 3 and 4 players," ESPN Draft Analyst Jordan Reid said.

Mansoor Delane of Louisiana State is considered by many the draft's top cornerback, with Tennessee cornerback Jermond McCoy also considered a first-round selection. Cornerbacks Colton Hood of Tennessee and Avieon Terrell of Clemson also are potential first-round selections along with San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson.

"It's different because they're not premiere shutdown corners," Brooks said. "There are guys who have a lot of tools in the toolbox, who are very scheme friendly – meaning they can adapt to whatever scheme that you have and play it really well … man, zone – they can do it, whether they're pressed, whether they're off, they can do it. That's unique.

"[Cornerback] is so deep in terms of just really solid players that can do it. Now, the difference is, there won't be the transcendent star players who you can put them out there at corner and they're going to shut down the field. There are some guys that are systematic.

"You put them in the right system, ask them to play their role within their system, they're going to flourish in that system. And for a lot of coaches, they'll find comfort in that."

HANDICAPPING THE JAGUARS

This may be a relatively low-profile position for the Jaguars this weekend, particularly at cornerback. The team entering late April and May very much likes this group, with two second-year veterans – safety Caleb Ransaw and cornerback Travis Hunter – expected to return from injuries and bolster a solid area. With Hunter and veteran Montaric Brown expected to start on the outside, and with veterans Jourdan Lewis and Jarrian Jones strong at nickel, corner could be a low priority on draft weekend. The Jaguars also feel good about their safety position, with Ransaw expected to push for a starting position in a group that already includes veteran Eric Murray and rapidly improving veteran Antonio Johnson. Look for that trio to play extensively as the Jaguars emphasize three-safety packages on defense, but this is an area the Jaguars could address this weekend.

CHANCE JAGUARS TAKE A SAFETY/CORNERBACK ON DAYS 1-2 (ROUNDS 1-3)

OK.

Ss/CB ON THE JAGUARS ROSTER

Corner Montaric Brown (Twelve starts 2025), corner Travis Hunter (two), corner Jourdan Lewis (seven), corner Jarrian Jones (three), corner Christian Braswell, corner Keni-H Lovely, corner Keith Taylor, safety Eric Murray (12), safety Antonio Johnson (eight), safety Rayuan Lane III, safety Caleb Ransaw, safety Trevian Thomas, safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, Jabbar Muhammad.

BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 SAFETIES

1. Caleb Downs, Jr., Ohio State
2. Kyle Louis, Jr., Pittsburgh
3. Dillon Thieneman, Jr., Oregon
4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Sr., Toledo
5. A.J. Haulcy, Sr., Louisiana State

BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 CORNERBACKS

1. Mansoor Delane, Sr., Louisiana State
2. Jermod McCoy, Jr., Tennessee
3. Colton Hood, So., Tennessee
4. Brandon Cisse, Jr., South Carolina
5. Chris Johnson, Sr., San Diego State

BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 NICKEL CORNERBACKS

1. Avieon Terrell, Jr., Clemson
2. Keionte Scott, Sr., Miami
3. D'Angelo Ponds, Jr., Indiana
4. Keith Abney II, Jr., Arizona State
5. Bud Clark, Sr., Texas Christian

POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND SAFETIES

Downs, Thieneman, McNeil-Warren.

POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND CORNERBACKS

Delane, McCoy, Hood.

POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND NICKEL CORNERBACKS

Terrell.