The 2026 NFL Draft is surprisingly deep and talented at a position that doesn’t usually get much love around the national media: Safety.
This year’s class has a bunch of safety prospects, both heralded and unheralded, who have the chance to be at least rotational players in the NFL, and we could be getting whole new crop of starters. Clark has finally entered the NFL Draft after appearing in 61 games over 6 years at TCU, and his experience shows up on tape.
The New York Giants need to get better play out of their defensive secondary, as well as generate more takeaways. Could Clark be on their radar?
Prospect: Bud Clark (21)
Games Watched: vs. Stanford (2024), vs. Houston (2024), vs. SMU (2025), vs. Arizona State (2025)
Red Flags: none
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 185
Arm length: 31 5/8
Hand size: 9 1/8
Strengths
Best traits
- Versatility
- Mental processing
- Football IQ and communication
- Ball skills
- Competitive toughness
Bud Clark is a smart, athletic, versatile, and experienced safety prospect.
Clark played a lot of roles for the TCU defense, lining up in the box, the slot, and as a deep safety. He was also frequently asked to execute post-snap coverage rotations to help disguise the play-call. He routinely executed those rotations well and has no problem getting to a deep half or quarter coverage zone from the second level. Likewise, Clark has enough speed to run down the field with most receiving options when he picks them up on a vertical route.
Clark doesn’t have the fluid hips to routinely line up as a slot defender and stay in phase with receivers in tight coverage. However, he does have very quick feet and good change of direction skills when triggering from a coverage zone. Clark is a smart player who understands route concepts and sees the field well. Likewise, he’s an active communicator who helps to line up the secondary and facilitate passing off receivers as they pass through coverage zones.
He generally processes very quickly and appears to be an instinctive defender on tape. Clark wastes little time triggering downhill from deep coverage zones and routinely takes smart, efficient angles to the ball. He’s a willing tackler in space and in the run game, and generally puts himself in good position to either make the tackle or force the ball carrier back to his teammates.
Finally, Clark uses his length well to be disruptive at the catch point. He has good ball skills with 4 interceptions and 7 passes defensed in 2025. He does a good job of timing his arrival at the catch point and snaking a hand through receivers’ hands without interfering to knock the ball away.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Mass and play strength
- Range
Clark’s single biggest weakness is his relatively lean frame. He’s a willing run defender who never hesitated to get his hands dirty, however he doesn’t have great mass to take on and defeat blockers if he doesn’t establish leverage.
Clark needs to play the run with great technique in order to maximize his play strength, and is at a disadvantage against tight ends or bigger receivers. Likewise, he can struggle some to bring down tight ends, big receivers, or thick running backs.
Also, while Clark doesn’t appear to be a limited athlete on tape, he doesn’t have the massive range necessary to be an every-down Cover 1 free safety. He has plenty of range to play a deep safety in a Middle Of Field Open defense like a Cover 2 or Cover 4 scheme. However, he doesn’t have the sideline-to-sideline range to be a true centerfielder. That can also occasionally make him a bit tardy to the play if he has to come from a deep coverage zone or isn’t able to diagnose it immediately.
Game Tape
(Clark is the TCU defensive back wearing number 21 and a sleeve on his left arm)
Projection
Bud Clark projects as a high-snap third safety early in his career, however he has starting upside with a bit of development and the right situation.
The biggest question is whether Clark can add any mass and play strength without compromising his athleticism and movement skills. If so, he should be able to be a versatile every-down safety who can man deep coverage zones or the tackle box. If not, he might be limited to being a deep safety or a third safety who comes on the field in nickel situations.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Clark generate significant buzz among coaches thanks to his football IQ and competitive toughness, and he could be more than merely a role player early in his career.
Does he fit the Giants? Yes
Final Word: A good value on Day 2
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