Best NFL Safeties of the 2018-2019 Season
Smith is the NFL's best all-around safety, with the range and size to hang tough against elite tight ends when called upon in coverage. He joined Buffalo's Jordan Poyer as the league's only defenders with at least 70 tackles, one sack, and five interceptions in 2017.
Thomas didn't skip a beat last year after suffering a broken leg late in the 2016 season. He ranks second among all safeties in interceptions since 2011 with 20.
Now the question is, what do you do if you're Pete Carroll? Can you keep this talented player, or is he going to move on to another team or retire like Kam Chancellor?
His speed, range, and tackling ability kind of blow me away. To me, he is a generational player. He is far better and more complete than Berry.
Adams was one of the best safeties to come out of college in recent seasons, primarily due to his leadership abilities and intelligence as a football player. He lived up to the hype in his rookie season, and I believe that the safety pairing of Adams with Marcus Maye will improve this season, especially with the addition of Trumaine Johnson to the Jets' secondary.
Jamal leads NFL safeties in almost all categories except for interceptions. It's crazy he's not #1. He's one of the few players who can completely shut down Gronk.
The Chiefs' defense never recovered after Berry was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1 against New England. His return is essential to boosting a unit that ranked 28th in yards allowed.
When he went down, it was a devastating blow to the Chiefs' defense, and it showed.
The Bills made one of the best free agent acquisitions in recent seasons when they signed Micah Hyde. Hyde played a key role in ending the Bills' horrendous playoff drought, and he could be even better this season.
Letting Hyde walk has been a disaster for the Packers.
Jenkins kept the Eagles' defense strong as it navigated through growing pains at cornerback and the loss of linebacker Jordan Hicks (Achilles). Known for big plays, he has recorded four interception returns for touchdowns since signing with Philadelphia in 2014.
Heck of a player, but more protesting might lower your standing more than it should.
Malcolm Jenkins should be number 1. He has played at a high level since he started. He has more interceptions than Micah Hyde, Eddie Jackson, Jamal Adams, Eric Berry, Kevin Byard, Derwin James, Tyrann Mathieu, Adrian Amos, and Kareem Jackson. #FlyEaglesFly
Jackson's instincts and speed are as transformative to the Bears as Mack is. He is the key to the secondary, allowing the corners to be ball hawks and making opposing QBs doubt their ability to hit a receiver.
EJ has a nose for the ball and is super fast, so he covers sideline to sideline. All-Pro talent for years.
Best cover safety. No doubt. And sick ball skills.
Byard is the most complete safety in the league. I truly watch him every Sunday. He gives 110 percent every play, is always in the right spot, has a knack for knowing where the ball is, and is also a very good, aggressive tackler.
He's a phenomenal leader as well.
Shame on Deion Sanders for not recognizing the name of one of the NFL's top young safeties. Byard came into his own in his second NFL season, tying for the league lead in interceptions with eight.
First off, Byard is by far a better ball hawk than 99% of the other safeties in the NFL. He leads the NFL in interceptions over the past two years. Nothing more needs to be said.
Signing Tyrann Mathieu at the price the Texans did was one of the best moves of the offseason. He will be in the All-Pro discussion at the end of the season as long as he can stay healthy. His versatility is a huge reason why he is in the top five of these rankings.
Don't sleep on the "Honey Badger." He is going to make the Texans' secondary much more difficult to attack with deep balls this season.
He is easily the best safety in the league.
He stepped into last year's terrible passing defense and has been solid for the Packers. He has almost never been hurt so far, which is impressive if you ask me, even if his name sounds hilarious.
Peppers is one of the greatest young safeties in the league and now part of a great organization. He is on pace to become the best safety in the league. If he continues to play at this level, the New York Giants will make it to the Super Bowl next year.
No defensive back has forced more fumbles in his first two seasons (eight) since Dave Whitmore in 1990-91. Neal is a sure-handed tackler as well, with 113 stops in 2017.
He's a hard hitter who forced the most fumbles in his two years, which is not too bad if you ask me.
Fearless, classic NFL hard-hitting, great tackling safety. He can make moves on the ball.
He has knowledge of the game equal to greats like Earl Thomas and Eric Weddle. A pure playmaker.
Serious ball hawk, still developing his skills.
Fiery, intelligent - a player that endeavors to always "make a difference" and make informed defensive calls. He's a STUD!