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13 Best NFL Safeties [Updated for 2021]
The top safeties in the NFL are as diverse as the position itself. Assignments for safeties in the National Football League (NFL) vary greatly, and ranking at the pinnacle of the craft determines how proficient an individual is at what they were expected to perform.
However, safeties, who have frequently overlooked members of the squad, can make a significant impact on the quality of the defense and secondary in the game.
While several of the league’s positions are extremely thin and highlighted by a few stars but still lack actual talent beyond that, the safety position appears to be in good shape.
Do you want to know who the finest safeties in the NFL are?
If you answered yes, we’ve compiled a list of the NFL’s top 13 safeties below.
13 NFL Safeties to Watch
Buffalo Bills’ Micah Hyde
The Buffalo Bills have an extraordinarily dependable duo of safeties on the squad, with Micah Hyde topping the list.
Furthermore, he has now had four consecutive seasons with an overall PFF grade of at least 70.0, with three of the four seasons being much better than 70.0.
Furthermore, the Buffalo Bills’ defensive system frequently puts Hyde in an ideal position.
However, he replies by making the plays that he is permitted to make.
Eddie Jackson of the Chicago Bears
Eddie Jackson had one of the best safety moments we’ve ever seen in 2018, with a total PFF score of 93.2 and a combined range of 94.7.
However, Jackson’s high-scoring game has evolved since Vic Fangio left town to coach the Broncos, with seasons of 67.0 and 59.5 according to the PFF standard.
Furthermore, Jackson is only 26 years old and has the potential to return to elite play. However, he must find a remedy this offseason.
Kevin Byard’s performance has dipped following two seasons of exceptional PFF grades above 85.0.
Furthermore, he had post-career lows in overall grade (65.8) and coverage grade (65.8) this season (61.5).
Unfortunately, the strength of competition pushes him out of the top ten.
However, if Byard can regain his former form, he is a top-10 safety in this league.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Anthony Harris
Anthony Harris, who is coming off a subpar season, was in the first play we ever saw from Harris in college, which has always been a good thing.
Furthermore, Harris was released during the season after holding only 63.6 percent of the coverage.
It also meant he’d be managing a low-cost one-year deal with Philadelphia.
Prior to that, Harris had twelve PFF picks in the 90.6 range in the previous two seasons combined.
Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks
Adams is a stronger player than he appeared to be during his previous season in Seattle, though he is unlikely to be good enough to warrant the two first-round picks he received in the trade that brought him there.
What was alarming about his performance last season was how poorly he was covered by the Seahawk’s defense.
Furthermore, with the Jets, Jamal Adams was frequently used in advantageous coverage matchups, but he was on the receiving end in 2020.
Furthermore, the NFL athlete concluded the season with 34 pressures, 15 more than any other safety.
Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals
Budda Baker was named to the All-Pro team in 2020 and is an all-around great player.
Especially in Arizona’s defense, which isn’t exactly spectacular.
Furthermore, he can play everywhere on the defensive side of the ball. He’s even lit up a Blitzer talent.
Baker, despite his reputation, will be on the next tier after the top-class safeties in 2021.
Marcus Williams of the New Orleans Saints
With a focus on coverage, Williams deserves to be at the top of the list of the NFL’s best safeties.
He’s the prototypical free safety, with outstanding range and a proclivity for intercepting passes downfield.
Furthermore, his general ability is what distinguishes him. Furthermore, this young man misses tackles less frequently than we would expect during the NFL season.
As a result, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn an All-Pro selection very soon.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick has developed as one of the best safeties in NFL history after joining the Pittsburgh Steelers and being permitted to play in his natural position.
Of course, some of that play is the result of a few of outstanding games.
However, during the last two seasons, including the playoffs, he has nine picks and 11 pass breakups.
Marcus Maye (New York Jets)
Marcus Maye was the NFL’s deep-lying free safety, allowing Jamal Adams to be the do-it-all star in the New York Jets secondary.
However, after the organization dealt Adams to Seattle, Marcus Maye was able to step into the role of safety and demonstrate that he can also do everything well.
As a result, Maye received a career-high PFF grade of 82.9 last season.
This is a career-high for him in snaps from the slot and box.
4. Cleveland Browns’ John Johnson III
While opposing Brandon Staley, John Johnson III was one of the finest safeties in the 2020 season.
He also played in one of the league’s most talented defensive backfields.
Furthermore, Johnson has now received overall PFF and coverage grades of at least 80.0 in practically every healthy season of his NFL career.
And now, with his offseason trade to Cleveland, he has the opportunity to demonstrate that he can stay and play at that tremendous level with a new team.
3. Cincinnati Bengals’ Jessie Bates
Jessie Bates is the finest pure free safety in the National Football League coming into the 2021 season.
His accomplishment at the top level demonstrates that pursuing a career as a run defender after college is not a death sentence.
Of course, it helps to be able to cover the continent as a single-high safety.
However, he still struggles with clearing out congestion on occasion, but any free safety affecting the passing game like Bates doesn’t have to be Jamal Adams against the run.
He was the Bengals’ first All-Pro since 2015.
2. Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu
Mathieu is one of the NFL’s most well-known players. Furthermore, he is one of the league’s greatest players.
Similarly, this is due to his versatility as a defensive back, which has always been his strong suit.
The versatile defensive backpack is well-integrated, well-covered, and a secondary playmaker.
1. Denver Broncos’ Justin Simmons
Maintaining high-level secondary play over time is extremely challenging.
However, Simmons has had a fantastic back-to-back season for the Denver Broncos.
Furthermore, Justin Simmons has had the highest overall PFF grade at the position over the last two seasons.
Furthermore, he is the only safety to have received a 90.0-plus grade throughout that time.
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Summary
We’ve compiled a list of the top 13 NFL safeties based on their popularity and contribution to NFL seasons.
However, each team member is well-known for their own qualities, contributions to the game, and the level of risk that each player takes.
So, whether or not they are on the list, every player must be acknowledged for their unique role in the game.
- Denver Broncos Justin Simmons
- 2. Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu
- 3. Cincinnati Bengals’ Jessie Bates
- 4. Cleveland Browns’ John Johnson III
- Marcus Maye (New York Jets)
- Pittsburgh Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Marcus Williams of the New Orleans Saints
- Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals
- Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks
- Philadelphia Eagles’ Anthony Harris
- Kevin Byard (Tennessee Titans)
- Eddie Jackson of the Chicago Bears
- Buffalo Bills’ Micah Hyde
