With the upcoming season quickly approaching, I’m going to be taking a look at the landscape of the NFL, position by position, over the course of the next several weeks. We’ll be talking about the who’s who of the NFL in our own little version of the NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players” bit they do every year. Up next, we have the safeties!
THE TOP 10 NFL SAFETIES FOR 2019
10. Jessie Bates III, Cincinnati Bengals – Let’s be real – there hasn’t been a whole lot about the Bengals to be excited about over the last few seasons. Maybe that’s why Bates is lost in the shuffle. He’s one of the more underrated defensive players in the entire league. Bates had 111 tackles, seven passes deflected, three interceptions, and a touchdown in 2018.
9. Malik Hooker, Indianapolis Colts – Loved Hooker coming out of college, thought he was an absolute steal where the Colts drafted him, and yes – as a Titans fan, hated that he went to the Colts. But, no one can deny his rightful place among the best young safeties in the league. Hooker is a rangy safety who can cover anyone and hit with the best of ’em. I have his arrow pointing way up for 2019.
8. Devin McCourty, New England Patriots – No safety played more snaps in 2018 than McCourty, who played a whopping 1,184…and for good reason. He’s solid in coverage, solid in run support, and knows exactly where he’s supposed to be on every play.
7. Landon Collins, Washington R-Words – I know….maybe this is a little high…but Collins is so good. He has so much talent that it’s hard not to believe a change of scenery will do him some good. This guy is a tone-setter. A guy who is excellent in run defense – he is the physical alpha male you want in your safety. I think that translates into a productive year on a defense that is already pretty damn good (if healthy).
6. Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bears – Jackson is another among this current landscape of stellar young safeties on the rise. He is a flat-out play-maker with outstanding coverage skills, and actually became Pro Football Focus’ highest graded safety in 2018. I don’t think that Bears defense is slowing down any time soon, so I expect another big year out of Jackson in 2019.
5. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings – Am I crazy? Or, does it feel like no one talks about how truly great Smith has been? Pro Football Focus graded him as the best run defending safety in the league, but Smith has never really been the prototypical stats guy. Maybe that’s why he’s been overlooked in the grand scheme of the NFL. Nonetheless, he effects games like few at the position can. He’s worthy of a top five spot on this list.
4. Earl Thomas, Baltimore Ravens – Things soured in Seattle, but ultimately, it’s the broken leg that has me thinking this is the year Thomas is surpassed as the greatest safety in the league. That said, we’re still talking about a guy who is one of the best at his position in league history. With a new home in Baltimore, and given how he started 2018 before the injury, he could be among the best in the league yet again should that leg hold up.
3. Jamal Adams, New York Jets – Adams is one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL – 115 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 12 passes deflected, an interception, and three forced fumbles in 2018 made for one of the most productive safeties in the league. He grades among the best at his position in coverage and in the pass rush. There’s nothing this guy can’t do.
2. Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers – Adams, James, and our number one on this list make up the future of the safety position. I think we’re heading towards a new heyday for the safety and it is distinctly because of how well these young bucks are playing early on. James has an impeccable all-around game. His 13 passes deflected only trailed Eddie Jackson at the safety position. Add 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions to his stat line and he had an impressive rookie season. The sky’s the limit for this kid.
1. Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans – How y’all left Byard out of the NFL 100 this year is beyond me. I wrote in full length about why I think Byard is the best safety in the entire league here, and there’s no fuckin’ way in hell I’m backing off that take now. If I can pick any safety to start a defense with, it’s going to be Byard.
OTHER 2019 NFL TOP 10S
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Linebackers
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Quarterbacks
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Tight Ends
Wide Receivers
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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