NFL Draft Profile: Michigan Football S Makari Paige

Michigan safety Makari Paige might be a late-round draft pick or undrafted free agent, but the fifth-year senior still has plenty to offer NFL teams. Here’s a look at Paige’s draft profile and what he brings to the table in the pros:

When Will Johnson went down with a toe injury last October, the Michigan secondary was left scrambling to replace his production. It had already been something of a turbulent season for the defensive backs, but by shuffling around a few players into new roles, things were able to stabilize and the team was able to finish the year on a high note.

One of those adjustments included sliding Zeke Berry to the boundary spot vacated by Johnson, leaving an opening at nickel. That’s where fifth-year senior Makari Paige stepped in to help add some reinforcement to a shaky secondary, ultimately helping him make the most of his final campaign in Ann Arbor.

Paige is now off to the2025 NFL Draft , and while many evaluators don’t have him listed as one of the premier safety prospects — likely making him a late Day 3 pick, or even an undrafted free agent — the West Bloomfield native still has some traits that could making him an intriguing addition to NFL organizations.

Quick Facts

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 208 pounds

Career stats: 53 games, 135 tackles (two for loss), 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 8 passes defended

Career honors: All-Big Ten honorable mentions in 2022 and 2023

Strengths

• Size — at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, Paige has a big and long frame that teams would love to have in the secondary, especially to scheme against tight ends.
• Football IQ — by being part of Michigan’s defense for five seasons, it’s easy to see Paige is good at diagnosing plays and route concepts.
• Tackling is a plus — something teams could value on their special teams units.
• Versatility — he has experience playing nickel in 2024, but has played deep safety most of his career.

Weaknesses

• While he did an adequate job in the slot in college, he might struggle against quicker players at the position in the NFL.
• Overall athleticism and movement abilities aren’t top tier.
• Man coverage skills are a weakness, mostly due to his movement abilities, albeit he’s stronger in zone thanks to his instincts.

Summary

Paige had been a reliable safety for much of his career, but with a need to adjust this year due to other injuries, the coaching staff opted to move him into the nickel spot to help stabilize things. He excelled in the role, while the rest of the defense performed better over the second half of the season as well.

With Paige headed to the NFL, safety might still be the position he calls home. He brings plenty of experience to the table, and it shows, as he does a great job diagnosing plays and concepts, putting him into position to make plays. Regardless of the situation, Paige always seems to be in the right place at the right time, like on this interception against Ohio State:

While his instincts and football IQ are a plus, Paige might be destined for a role on special teams at the next level if he’s unable to find success on defense. Teams value guys that are solid tacklers on special teams, a trait Paige brings to the table. And while he might not have the top-tier athleticism or speed that others might have, he’s still fast enough and strong enough that he can be a hired gun on special teams.

Even if Paige isn’t at the top of draft boards this April, there will still be a home for him in the NFL, even if it’s not as a traditional deep safety. It wouldn’t be a shock if his combination of zone coverage abilities, instincts and size get him on the field for an NFL defense. But overall, he represents the type of player teams could take a flier on at the end of the draft.