As it stands for the moment, the NFL is playing its season in full come September. As the season approaches, 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’re talking about the top 10 NFL safeties for 2020!
TOP 10 NFL SAFETIES FOR 2020
10. Devin McCourty, New England Patriots – McCourty has been one of the most consistent safeties in the league over the last several seasons. In 2019, his five interceptions were only one behind Anthony Harris’ six. He’s found the perfect spot under Bill Belichick, and will continue to produce at a high level.
9. Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills – People sleep on the Bills as a whole, but specifically, they sleep on what Hyde has done since joining the team. Maybe that’s a byproduct of his inability to really do much in Green Bay, but since moving to Buffalo, he’s become one of the key cogs in that secondary that just doesn’t allow big plays. Respect.
8. Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals – If Baker could ever bring his coverage skills up to match what he does in run support, he’d be an elite safety. Until then, it makes him a little less dynamic than the guys ahead of him. That said, he’s one of if not the best tackler and run stuffer at the position and the Cardinals made him accordingly.
7. Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bears – Jackson might be a bit of a polarizing choice here because he’s been a bit hit and miss throughout his career. I expect that Bears defense to be closer to what it was in 2018 than 2019, and Jackson stands to benefit from that. I think we’ll see that All-Pro playmaker again.
6. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings – Five Pro Bowls. Two All-Pro seasons. Smith has been really good for a really long time. He is an opportunistic play-maker and a punishing tackler. But, at 30, you can’t help but wonder when Father Time (who is undefeated) will rear his ugly ass head.
5. Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs – The offense gets all the credit in Kansas City, but the addition of Mathieu, and his versatile skillset at the safety position definitely helped solidify that defense and make them a Super Bowl contender. We know how important the slot is in today’s NFL – dare I say it? Mathieu may be the best slot defender in the NFL…
4. Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings – Harris tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with six, but that mark was first among safeties. He’s emerged as one of the best coverage safeties in the NFL, and yes – the Vikings have the best safety tandem in the league, no doubt.
3. Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks – He’s talented. He’s versatile. He’s just about everything you look for in a safety. The Seahawks are lickin’ their chops at the idea of Adams restoring the glory days of the Legion of Boom.
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers – Fitzpatrick had a career resurgence after moving over to the Steelers last year. Hell, I had him in the ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ conversation. If he plays more like the Steeler than the Dolphin, he’s going to push for that top spot on my list.
1. Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans – The only people who don’t realize how dominant Byard is are people who still don’t know him, and there are obviously people out there that still don’t know him. It’s bullshit – this guy is the mold of an elite safety – good in all aspects of the game, but has the ball skills to make plays. It’s time he gets his due in the national conversation. He has 30 PBUs and INTs over the last three seasons, and that mark is tops among safeties.
#FactsOnly on this podcast. No lies detected. #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/3bdHpFW6Cw
— The Unofficial Titans Podcast (@TitansPod) August 25, 2020
OTHER 2020 NFL TOP 10S
Cornerbacks
Defensive Coordinators
Defensive Lines
Head Coaches
Linebackers
Offensive Coordinators
Offensive Lines
Pass rushers
Running backs
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
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
