Trendy NFL groups are shifting to coverage-first defenses and are changing linebackers with safeties, making it all of the extra necessary that NFL groups determine who the perfect safeties within the NFL are. With the explosion of dime and penny defenses, a flexible, high-level security can change the character and effectiveness of a unit.
That’s why the highest safeties within the NFL can play multiple position — gone are the times of true field safeties and single-high middle fielders. Now, the perfect safeties within the NFL have to rush the passer, cease the run, win in man protection, and patrol a deep third of the sector. That’s why the perfect security within the NFL can do all of these issues, enabling the protection round him to do something they need.
Who’s the Finest Security within the NFL?
Given all of the issues he’s able to, Los Angeles Chargers DB Derwin James is the perfect security within the NFL. James is concurrently an elite go rusher and man-coverage defender as a security, complemented by high-level efficiency as a run defender and in zone protection. His dimension, fluidity, and pace give him vary and a exceptional capability to tackle blockers within the run sport or clog up passing lanes.
Not solely that, James’ ability set makes him a matchup-eraser. As an alternative of the protection being topic to the whims of a celebrity tight finish, pass-catching working again, or big-slot receiver, they’ll concentrate on what they do greatest whereas James locks down the opposing offense’s largest risk.
In 2022, James ranked within the prime 10 amongst safeties in sacks, pressures, run stops, and yards allowed per goal. That closing feat is exceptional, given how usually he’s matched up in opposition to the opponent’s prime goal. His versatility has develop into a skeleton key that enables the protection and entrance to do some really fascinating stuff that may throw offenses totally out of sync.
Security Rankings 2-25
2) Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers
Shifting from Miami to Pittsburgh has seemingly turned Minkah Fitzpatrick from an excellent security to an incredible one, and he’s discovered consistency between spotlight performs. Earlier than, Fitzpatrick was good for some elite stretches of play surrounded by some mediocre snaps. Now, he brings it each single snap and has been unstoppable this 12 months.
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Although the Steelers’ protection struggled at factors in 2022, particularly with out T.J. Watt up entrance, Fitzpatrick has performed at a excessive degree whatever the supporting solid round him. He ranked second within the NFL in pressured incompletion charge when focused, and his 4 interceptions final 12 months made it robust for even elite passers to look his manner.
3) Micah Hyde, Buffalo Payments
The Payments confronted extremely poor harm luck at defensive again, and an early-season lack of Micah Hyde was a major one. Probably the greatest safeties within the NFL in 2021, Hyde demonstrated a capability to shut down in opposition to the run and blitz, however he primarily specialised in protection.
His position as a deep security helped the remainder of Buffalo’s protection play aggressively with out an excessive amount of fear. They needed to change that strategy after the primary two video games of the season and couldn’t maintain it after the Von Miller harm. Hyde was a giant a part of the Payments’ defensive construction, and his influence was huge.
4) Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans
Regardless of making two All-Professional groups, it looks like Kevin Byard has flown beneath the radar. The 2017 NFL interceptions chief proved in subsequent seasons that his protection functionality wasn’t a fluke — he’s been a high-level middle fielder yearly he’s been within the NFL.
However what places him up right here — except for being the perfect middle fielder within the NFL — is his rising functionality in opposition to the run. Byard doesn’t enter the field usually, usually appearing because the power participant as an alternative of the cleanup defender. However when he does strategy ball carriers, he not often misses. Byard has one of many lowest missed deal with charges amongst safeties over the past three years.
5) Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Following within the footsteps of his father (a cornerback who performed for each the Buffalo Payments and Minnesota Vikings on the skin and within the slot), Antoine Winfield Jr. has finished a wonderful job manning up in opposition to slot receivers whereas nonetheless enjoying as a conventional security who hits tougher than many linebackers within the NFL. These laborious hits don’t come at the price of missed tackles.
In earlier years, Winfield performed many extra snaps as a rangy middle fielder than a slot defender. And he was wonderful at conserving the deep center clear, solely not often permitting deep receptions and infrequently demonstrating good protection in these moments.
However the Buccaneers had him play within the slot way more usually in 2022 — and he thrived. That is each as a result of it highlights one other certainly one of Winfield’s many abilities and in addition permits his pass-rush prowess to shine.
6) Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
Justin Simmons might thrive at security in any period, whether or not that’s the hard-hitting run defenders of the Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties, the deep Cowl 2 safeties of the 2000s, or rangy single-high defenders within the 2010s. Within the 2020s, the place safeties are requested to vary roles virtually each play, Simmons excels. Denver has requested him to play all these roles and hasn’t had any issues adapting to these calls for.
Nonetheless, he’s greatest as a excessive security, given his prowess in protection. During the last three years, Simmons is tied for first place with Harrison Smith and Quandre Diggs in complete interceptions generated when enjoying as a high-coverage zone defender. That insurance coverage permits the Broncos to really feel comfy placing collectively dynamic rush plans and permit Patrick Surtain II to shine as a man-coverage nook.
7) Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ Talanoa Hufanga might need been essentially the most impactful security within the league in 2022. His play gave San Francisco the power to area premier gamers up entrance, within the second degree, and within the secondary.
Hufanga’s knack for locating the ball, whether or not within the air or the fingers of a ball service, has been great for the 49ers, as their protection manufactured methods for them to win regardless of season-ending accidents to 2 quarterbacks.
Hufanga is a superb defender after solely two years within the league. His consistency has been a problem, and he performed higher within the first half of 2022 than within the second half. Between his highlights are some miscues and occasional errors. They’re definitely price it, however there’s room for enchancment.
8) Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Payments
Firstly of 2022, Buffalo sported the perfect security tandem within the NFL, with Jordan Poyer and Hyde holding down the fort. Nevertheless, an harm to Poyer took him off the sector for a time period.
Poyer’s capability to click on and shut in zone protection is up there with the perfect within the NFL. His turnover manufacturing in 2022 didn’t match his 2021 season, however that’s not a giant deal. He nonetheless had 4 picks, pressured quarterbacks to throw brief, and had the very best pressured incompletion charge within the league on the place. He’s an incredible run defender too, however we don’t see a lot of that, given how excessive up the Payments ask him to play.
9) C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Detroit Lions
After ending the 12 months tied for the interception lead — after lacking 5 video games — C.J. Gardner-Johnson re-established himself as a power within the NFL as a flexible slot cowl nook and security hybrid. His capability to change the character of Philadelphia’s protection was evident when he was pressured to overlook video games, and the Eagles took missteps regardless of their phenomenal go rush.
Gardner-Johnson can play a number of roles at security and play all of them effectively, however his capability to erase regular offensive matchups stays the largest motive he lands on the record.
10) Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
After signing an unlimited cope with the Cardinals, Baker turned on the jets and performed higher after his contract was signed than earlier than it. Baker may be the perfect instance of what the Cardinals have been making an attempt to do defensively, with a number of gamers able to enjoying a number of positions and complicated the offense with their roles and alignments.
Whereas lots of these gamers didn’t work out, Baker has demonstrated that the correct approach, athleticism, stability, and willingness can produce that sort of versatile defender that may play a deep zone, line up on the road of scrimmage, or cease the run from the field. He’s nonetheless greatest within the field, and his vary isn’t fairly that of a high-level middle fielder. However his worth isn’t restricted due to that. The truth that the Cardinals can ask him to do something means they all the time have a instrument of their toolbox.
11) Tyrann Mathieu, New Orleans Saints
Tyrann Mathieu was a little bit of a mold-breaker and, later, a mannequin for versatile safeties when popping out of LSU. His capability to play middle area, within the field, and as a nickel nook gave NFL defenses the template for how you can use gamers like Antoine Winfield Jr., Minkah Fitzpatrick, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Mathieu has misplaced a step however continues to be one of the instinctive and fluid nickel safeties within the NFL.
12) Marcus Williams, Baltimore Ravens
Finest positioned as a pure free security, Marcus Williams doesn’t have the athletic upside of another gamers on the record however has one of many quickest triggers within the NFL and a complicated understanding of NFL defenses.
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He’s maybe the perfect pure free security within the NFL, however his restricted versatility drops him exterior of the highest 10. That’s why he has among the finest marks in yards allowed per snap in protection and worst marks in run stops per run protection snap.
13) Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
As soon as one of the versatile safeties within the NFL, the Vikings lowered Harrison Smith’s position in 2022 — maybe a mistake. Nonetheless among the finest blitzers within the NFL, he can play wherever. However his lowered functionality as a middle fielder has damage his worth relative to a few of the different safeties on the record. He’s nonetheless one of the helpful and clever gamers on the place.
14) Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons
Like Marcus Williams, Jessie Bates III is greatest served on the free security place. He has a bit extra functionality within the field than Williams, however his consistency at both place leaves one thing to be desired. However, his worth on the again finish is tough to copy, and he does an excellent job forcing groups to throw brief.
15) Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
After a rocky draft course of and an underwhelming begin to his rookie 12 months, Kyle Hamilton completed the season as among the finest safeties within the NFL. That inconsistency is price noting, however Hamilton helped his case by enjoying effectively sufficient as each a field and free security and performed a major period of time within the again half as a succesful slot nook.
16) Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins
Jevon Holland is a uncommon sort of security — he’s an incredible run defender from the free security place and nice at shutting down yards after the catch for receivers. It offers Miami lots of choices for coping with YAC-based choices, although Holland’s capability as a real rangy free security isn’t pristine. The pace of play within the field would possibly forestall him from being a risk there, nevertheless it’s price exploring if he has that versatility. For now, he ranks sixteenth as a restricted however proficient free security.
17) Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks
After lacking all of 2022, Jamal Adams would possibly slip from the minds of some NFL followers, however he’s among the finest sturdy safeties within the league. His protection is simply alright, however his run protection and blitzing functionality are top-notch, and he does an excellent job stopping mid-level crossers and clogging passing lanes. There’s most likely not a greater pure sturdy security within the NFL than Adams, even when that ability set isn’t essentially the most invaluable one to have.
18) Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bears
Each model of the Bears’ protection has discovered alternative ways to make use of Eddie Jackson, and the one time he’s ever faltered is after they used him in uncreative methods. He can do every thing they ask of him, whether or not at free security, sturdy security, slot nook, extensive nook, blitzer, and even kick protection. He doesn’t do any of them at an elite degree, which is why he ranks the place he does, however he does all of them at a reasonably excessive degree, and that’s helpful.
19) Marcus Maye, New Orleans Saints
The Saints have changed Marcus Williams with Marcus Maye, and although it’s a downgrade, it’s not unhealthy worth for cash. The issue is that the Saints are utilizing him like Williams, when Maye shouldn’t be nearly as good of a free security however is a considerably higher change security, with the power to rotate into the field or play within the slot. He’s bought the vary and construct of a main free security, and that’s what he’s greatest at, however the Saints want to make use of his different abilities extra usually to maximise him.
20) Jimmie Ward, San Francisco 49ers
Jimmie Ward is fairly just like Eddie Jackson, he’s simply used the correct manner way more usually. He’s a really succesful free security and high-level nickel nook who has now seen himself decelerate only a step, inserting him twentieth as an alternative of tenth. His versatility nonetheless permits sensible defensive coordinators to design intelligent protection schemes that make the most of what he does, however there’s slightly bit much less he can do these days in comparison with earlier than.
21) Quandre Diggs, Seattle Seahawks
A rangy free security that enhances Jamal Adams effectively in Seattle, Quandre Diggs does an excellent job discovering the ball and ripping it away, however he typically gambles slightly bit an excessive amount of to be thought-about an elite participant. He can do a few of the different issues requested of high-level gamers, so it’s not as if he’s pigeonholed in that position, however his tendency to be barely gradual off the snap within the field means he’s greatest suited the place Seattle performs him.
22) Duron Harmon, Las Vegas Raiders
For the final a number of years, Duron Harmon has bounced across the league after a profitable stint in New England. That’s not totally his fault, as Detroit overvalued him and Atlanta misused him, however the Raiders appear to know what they’re doing with the clever hard-hitter.
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Like Marcus Williams, he’s a pure free security that leverages his soccer consciousness greater than his athleticism. His highs aren’t as excessive, and his lows generally is a bit decrease, however he’s total an incredible worth to have on the again finish.
23) Xavier McKinney, New York Giants
The Giants took a participant who, at Alabama, performed three totally different defensive again positions and requested him to concentrate on enjoying free security. It labored, and McKinney performed extraordinarily effectively amidst an injury-riddled secondary, however hopefully, New York frees him as much as do extra, given his background. If he can carry his run protection to bear, he can cowl up for the truth that he’s merely an excellent middle fielder with excellence as a field security too.
24) Kamren Curl, Washington Commanders
Nonetheless a considerably inconsistent participant in protection, Kamren Curl has demonstrated he can nonetheless be a giant asset within the passing sport, together with his capability to discourage protection with wonderful instincts and data of opposing offenses. He nonetheless excels nearer to the motion as a run defender or man protection defender, the place Washington used him a bit extra usually, however he has much more versatility than individuals have been anticipating.
25) Rodney McLeod, Cleveland Browns
Now close to the again finish of his profession, Rodney McLeod has advanced right into a multi-capable security who can both lay the wooden or get his fingers on the ball. He excels within the intermediate center taking out crossers, however he can play the excessive middle area, given his capability to learn the play and get into place. He can nonetheless get beat by misleading offenses and quicker receivers, however he’s undoubtedly a giant asset.
High Remaining Safeties | Ranked 26-32
26) Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears
27) Jayron Kearse, Dallas Cowboys
28) Adrian Amos, Inexperienced Bay Packers
29) Donovan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys
30) Richie Grant, Atlanta Falcons
31) Kareem Jackson, Denver Broncos
32) Ryan Neal, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
