Instinctive defenders who pack a punch

Mike Spofford

With Green Bay not owning a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, this year's Prospect Primer series will take a position-by-position look at players projected as Day 2 selections (Rounds 2-3) potentially available to the Packers, who have the No. 52 and 84 overall selections on the second day of the draft.

Here's a trio of safeties:

Genesis Smith, Arizona

Ht/Wt:6-2, 202

News & notes:Played in 37 games over three years at home-state school Arizona, recording 164 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 14 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three recoveries Named third-team All-Big 12 in 2025 Lauded for his instincts and route recognition in pass coverage on the back end, but knocked for his inconsistent tackling in the open field Also viewed as having solid man-coverage skills against tight ends Didn't run a 40 at the combine but impressed with a 42-inch vertical and 10-8 broad jump Not a surefire Day 2 pick, could still be available on Day 3.

A.J. Haulcy, LSU

Ht/Wt:6-0, 215

News & notes:Texas native played one year at New Mexico and two at Houston before a final college season at LSU Started a total of 45 games over the four years, racking up 347 tackles, 4 TFLs, 10 INTs, 19 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one recovery Named first-team All-Big 12 for Houston in 2024 and first-team All-SEC for LSU in '25 Eight of his 10 career INTs came over the last two years Has a thick, LB-type build that serves him well charging the line of scrimmage, but still moves swiftly and efficiently in the open field (clocked a 4.52-second 40 at the combine) NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein calls him a "throwback" and "enforcer" who reads and recognizes well.

Kamari Ramsey, USC

Ht/Wt:6-0, 202

News & notes:California native spent two years at UCLA before transferring across town to USC for two more Had his best season in 2024, with 60 tackles, 5 TFLs, five passes defensed, one INT and two forced fumbles despite missing two games to injury Switched from various safety spots to playing some nickel corner last season, but saw his 2025 campaign cut short after nine games due to a knee injury but was fully recovered to do all testing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.47-second 40 Noted for improving his tackling as he showed his versatility in the secondary.