The pro safety position has had a diminished role in NFL defenses in recent seasons, and consequently, has less impact in each spring's NFL Draft. Many pro safeties are two-down defenders who are removed in passing situations.

There has been a shift to bigger corners with the athleticism and agility to cover the huge receivers that are now in vogue in the NFL. Many top college safeties are moved to corner (Jason Sehorn and Bobby Taylor) early as pro defenders because of their cover skills and size advantage in matchups.

Though there is still a premium on top safety prospects, the group as a whole has become a second class position with many NFL starters emerging from the middle rounds. Many big corners with marginal cover skills are converted to safety because of their ability to play in man coverage and multiple sets.

More Draft analysis

Tennessee junior Deon Grant is the top safety prospect. (AP)

1. Deon Grant, Tennessee
Senior, 6-2, 200
Athletically gifted junior has been one of college football's blue-chip defenders this season. He has great range as a free safety and top cover skills but needs to show more consistency as a tackler to be a complete prospect.

2. Travares Tillman, Georgia Tech
Senior, 6-1, 205
Tough hard-hitting safety has been one of the best tacklers in the nation over his career. He combines strength with top instincts and athleticism to become a fine pro.

3. Derrick Gibson, Florida State
Junior, 6-2, 200
Athletic junior safety has been an impact player for the Seminoles' talented defense this season. He combines prototypical skills for the position and faces a big decision in January about declaring for the NFL Draft.

4. Kenoy Kennedy, Arkansas
Senior, 6-0, 210
Hard-hitting senior has been a key performer for the Hogs defense. He has fine size and speed with the vicious hitting power to finish plays.

Michigan's Tommy Hendricks is a solid tackler. (Allsport)

5. Tommy Hendricks, Michigan
Senior, 6-1, 215
Big physical safety has been one of the top defenders in the Big 10 over his career. He has great size and hitting power, but must improve in coverage to start at the next level.

6. Rogers Beckett, Marshall
Senior, 6-2, 210
Huge aggressive safety is one of the premier performers in the MAC. He is a strong tackler who hits like a linebacker with the range to cover the entire field.

7. Gary Berry, Ohio State
Senior, 5-11, 200
Athletic senior defender combines fine speed and agility to play either safety spot. He has been inconsistent in pass coverage over his career and needs to show the ability to match up in man situations.

8. Tyrone Carter, Minnesota
Senior, 5-9, 185
Tough compact senior has been one of the stellar performers in the Big 10 over his career. He is a big reason the Gophers are challenging for the conference title.

9. Aric Morris, Michigan State
Senior, 5-10, 200
Physical senior safety has been one of the steadiest defenders in the Big 10 over the past two seasons. He has the instincts and hitting power to become a fine pro strong safety.

10. Robert Carswell, Clemson
Junior, 6-0, 210
Strong junior safety has emerged as one of the best defenders in the ACC over the past two seasons. He has fine instincts and is a strong tackler with a linebacker mentality.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 9 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL mini-camps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.