2026 NFL Draft: TCU's Bud Clark is a ballhawk safety Raiders need

With 15 career interceptions and two pick 6s, Horned Frog safety is a takeaway artist

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:09pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-air making an interception, with the player's body and the ball broken down into overlapping planes of silver, black, and other vibrant colors.A cubist interpretation of a Raiders safety's game-changing interception highlights the team's need for a ballhawk in the secondary.

The starting safety duo of Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn can stand for competition heading for a Las Vegas Raiders team with substantial coaching staff changes this offseason. TCU safety Bud Clark, with his impressive ball-hawking skills and versatile coverage abilities, could be an intriguing prospect for the Raiders to consider in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

The Raiders need to bolster their secondary and add a playmaker who can create turnovers. Clark's 15 career interceptions, including two pick-sixes, demonstrate his ability to be a game-changing safety at the NFL level.

The details

At 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, Clark has the size and athleticism of a cornerback, with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash time. His combination of speed, ball skills, and versatility to play both deep safety and in the slot make him an appealing prospect. While he can be overly aggressive at times, leading to occasional mistakes, his production and potential to be a takeaway artist are enticing for the Raiders.

  • Clark had a career-high 5 interceptions in 2022.
  • Clark had 4 interceptions in the 2025 season.

The players

Bud Clark

A 6-foot-1, 188-pound safety from TCU who had 15 career interceptions, including 2 pick-sixes, over his 6-year college career.

Isaiah Pola-Mao

The starting safety for the Raiders, listed at 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds.

Jeremy Chinn

The other starting safety for the Raiders, listed at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds.

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What they’re saying

“Clark's athletic profile is indicative of his play style. The speed shows up quite well on game tape as the safety has not only the burst and explosiveness but the second gear to stay step-for-step with deep targets.”

— Ray Aspuria, Author

What’s next

The Raiders will have the opportunity to evaluate Clark further at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he will look to solidify his draft stock as a potential early Day 3 selection.

The takeaway

Adding a ballhawk safety like Bud Clark could be a shrewd move for the Raiders as they look to upgrade their secondary and create more turnovers on defense. His combination of ball skills, coverage ability, and playmaking potential make him an intriguing target for Las Vegas in the 2026 NFL Draft.