Best Safeties in the NFL Today – Going into week 14
These are the top 10 best safeties in the NFL today based on overall talent, production so far this season, and projected production going forward.
10. Talanoa Hufanga
2022-23 Season stats: 66 TACKLES, 7 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 4 INTERCEPTIONS, 1 TOUCHDOWN, 1 FORCED FUMBLE, 0 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 1.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 256 RECEIVING YARDS, 56.1 PASSER RATING, 59.0 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 2 TOUCHDOWN
Troy Polamalu reincarnated! While Talanoa Hufanga has been one of the most prolific playmakers so far this season, I still don’t consider him one of the elite, top 5 safeties.
9. Tyrann Mathieu
2022-23 Season stats: 64 TACKLES, 5 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 2 INTERCEPTIONS, 0 TOUCHDOWNS, 0 FORCED FUMBLES, 2 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 0.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 233 RECEIVING YARDS, 94.9 PASSER RATING, 68.8 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 3 TOUCHDOWNS
Don’t let the success of the Saints fool you. Tyrann Mathieu was a boom/bust free agent this off-season and immediately stepped in as one of the leaders of this defense.
8. Harrison Smith
2022-23 Season stats: 72 TACKLES, 10 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 5 INTERCEPTIONS, 0 TOUCHDOWNS, 1 FORCED FUMBLE, 1 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 0.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 329 RECEIVING YARDS, 74.4 PASSER RATING, 77.8 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 1 TOUCHDOWN
Harrison’s Smith 5 interceptions make him 3rd in the league. At 33 years old, Harrison Smith continues to make plays with his football IQ. He plays mind games before and after the snap.
7. Budda Baker
2022-23 Season stats: 90 TACKLES, 4 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 1 INTERCEPTIONS, 0 TOUCHDOWNS, 1 FORCED FUMBLE, 1 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 0.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 219 RECEIVING YARDS, 113.1 PASSER RATING, 73.3 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 3 TOUCHDOWNS
Another case of a great player on a bad team. I would consider this a down year for him only by his standards. That’s only because he has been a top 3 safety over the past two seasons.
6. Kevin Byard
2022-23 Season stats: 80 TACKLES, 1 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 1 INTERCEPTIONS, 0 TOUCHDOWNS, 0 FORCED FUMBLES, 0 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 0.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 499 RECEIVING YARDS, 109.1 PASSER RATING, 71.4 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 2 TOUCHDOWNS
Kevin Byard was the best safety in the NFL last season and continues to lead this Titans defense. Don’t let the lack of interceptions fool you. He is still playing at an extremely high level.
5. Jordan Poyer
2022-23 Season stats: 41 TACKLES, 8 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 4 INTERCEPTIONS, 0 TOUCHDOWNS, 0 FORCED FUMBLES, 3 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 0.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 118 RECEIVING YARDS, 66.2 PASSER RATING, 75.0 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 1 TOUCHDOWN
Jordan Poyer missed a few games this season and the defense was a shell of itself. Even without Tre’Davious White, the Bills had one of the best defenses in the NFL when led by Poyer.
4. Antoine Winfield
2022-23 Season stats: 51 TACKLES, 2 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 1 INTERCEPTIONS, 0 TOUCHDOWNS, 1 FORCED FUMBLE, 6 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 3.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 195 RECEIVING YARDS, 71.7 PASSER RATING, 56.3 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 1 TOUCHDOWN
Antoine Winfield is a rising star in the NFL. He is an extremely versatile player and the Bucs you him in a multitude of ways. There is a bright future for this 24 year old safety.
3. Justin Simmons
2022-23 Season stats: 39 TACKLES, 4 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 3 INTERCEPTIONS, 0 TOUCHDOWNS, 1 FORCED FUMBLE, 1 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 0.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 132 RECEIVING YARDS, 61.5 PASSER RATING, 93.8 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 0 TOUCHDOWN
This is another player who has been in and out with injuries. It’s clear that when he is healthy, the Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL. The stats don’t jump off the screen, but it’s clear he is a dominant safety in coverage.
2. Derwin James
2022-23 Season stats: 106 TACKLES, 4 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 1 INTERCEPTIONS, 0 TOUCHDOWNS, 2 FORCED FUMBLES, 5 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 4.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 348 RECEIVING YARDS, 84.4 PASSER RATING, 66.7 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 1 TOUCHDOWN
Speaking of versatile safeties, Derwin James is a freak. From stripping the football, to being assigned to Travis Kelce in man coverage all day. The Chargers always seem to give him the hardest assignment, and he continues to impress.
1. Minkah Fitzpatrick
2022-23 Season stats: 62 TACKLES, 8 PASS DEFLECTIONS, 4 INTERCEPTIONS, 1 TOUCHDOWNS, 0 FORCED FUMBLES, 1 TACKLES FOR LOSSES, 0.0 SACKS
2022-23 Season Stats Allowed: 337 RECEIVING YARDS, 89.6 PASSER RATING, 59.5 COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, 5 TOUCHDOWNS
The Steelers haven’t had a losing season since 2003. Minkah Fitzpatrick is clawing for that not to happen. I’d consider him the best coverage safety in the NFL today. He has a knack for the ball and Quarterbacks to their best to avoid him.
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