Dalton Brooks

NFL Draft Profile: Dalton Brooks

Position: Safety | School: Texas A&M | Class: Junior

Height: 6'1" | Weight: 193 lbs | Archetype: Aggressive Downhill Hybrid

College Career Summary

Dalton Brooks is a high-octane athlete who arrived at College Station as a decorated four-star recruit from Shiner, Texas. A two-way star in high school (rushing for over 2,500 yards as a senior), Brooks transitioned full-time to the secondary at Texas A&M. After a promising freshman campaign highlighted by an interception in the Texas Bowl, he became a fixture in the starting lineup in 2024, finishing second on the team in tackles (59).

In 2025, Brooks established himself as the "chaos factor" in Mike Elko's defense. He became the first FBS player in the 2025 season to record a 20+ yard rush (on a fake punt), a 20+ yard fumble return, and a 20+ yard interception return. Despite an off-field incident involving a hit-and-run in June 2025 and two targeting ejections in 2024, his on-field production as a "blitz-first" safety has kept NFL scouts intrigued. He is a twitchy, violent player who operates with a "see ball, get ball" mentality.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 37

• Total Tackles: 144 (67 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 9.0 (3.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 2.0 (1.0 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 3 (1 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 5 (Career)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. UTSA	DNP	—	Sat out season opener (Internal/Disciplinary).
vs. Utah State	4 Tkl	B	Solid return; clean in open-field tackling.
vs. Notre Dame	6 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Mental Toughness. Physical in the alley vs. elite O-line.
vs. McNeese	2 Tkl	B-	Quiet game; Aggies dominated early.
@ Florida	5 Tkl	B	Sound discipline; limited explosive plays.
vs. Bowling Green	4 Tkl	B	Standard production; effective in run support.
vs. Arkansas	7 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	A-	Hit Power. Recorded first sack of the year on a blitz.
@ Missouri	5 Tkl, 1 FR	A	High Motor. 26-yard fumble return sparked momentum.
@ Mississippi St.	8 Tkl	B+	High-volume tackling; aggressive in the box.
vs. LSU	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B-	Weakness. Caught in no-man's land on a TD pass.
@ South Carolina	5 Tkl, 1 INT	A	Star Impact. 39-yard INT return showed WR ball skills.
@ Auburn	4 Tkl, 1 TFL	B+	Pursuit. Sideline-to-sideline range was evident.
vs. Texas	10 Tkl, 1 PD	A-	Competitor. Played with high intensity in a rivalry loss.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Twitchy Athleticism: His track background (11.15s 100m) is functional. He has elite Acceleration and can trigger from a deep half to the line of scrimmage faster than almost any safety in the class.

• Versatility: Texas A&M utilizes him everywhere—deep safety, slot nickel, and even as a rusher on fake punts. He is a "chess piece" defender.

• Ball Skills: A former elite running back, Brooks tracks the ball naturally in the air and is a threat to score once the ball is in his hands.

• Physicality: For a sub-200 lb safety, he strikes with a violence that surprises ball carriers. He is a "tone-setter" in the run game.

Weaknesses

• Reckless Playstyle: Two targeting ejections in 2024 and frequent high-pad level tackles raise concerns about his Durability and discipline. He often looks for the knockout blow rather than the wrap.

• Weight/Frame: He is currently listed under 195 lbs. To survive as a "box safety" in the NFL, he must add 10-15 lbs of functional mass without losing his speed.

• Off-Field Concerns: The 2025 arrest for a hit-and-run incident will require significant vetting by NFL teams regarding his Leadership and maturity.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Strong Safety / Big Nickel in an Aggressive One-Gap system (e.g., Jets, Ravens, or Browns).

NFL Comparison: Dax Hill (Bengals)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 14/20 | Physical Tools: 18/20 | Attributes: 17/20 | Athleticism: 19/20 | IQ: 17/20

Final Grade: 85/100

Dalton Brooks is a "wildcard" prospect. On pure tape, he is one of the most explosive and impactful safeties in the country. His ability to impact all three phases of the game is rare. However, the combination of his light frame and off-field "panics" (as noted in police reports) suggests a player who still has a lot of growing up to do. If an NFL coach can harness his aggression and keep him in the weight room, he has Pro Bowl upside. If not, he risks being a high-variance player who struggles with availability.

Draft Projection: 3rd - 4th Round