Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023
Based on Overall Talent and Production Throughout the 2022-23 Season
Who is the best Safety in the NFL today? Read this list and find out. These are the top 10 best safeties in the NFL based talent and production from this past season.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #10 Tyrann Mathieu
#10 – Tyrann Mathieu
A few seasons ago, Tyrann Mathieu was considered by many as the best safety in the NFL. At 30 years old, his athleticism has taken a hit, but just had a resurgence with the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints were in a little bit of salary cap hell and got Mathieu for dirt cheap considering his ability. He is one of the most well-rounded safeties in the NFL who can line up in the slot amongst pretty much anywhere in pass coverage.
He is still one of the best coverage safeties in the NFL, but it’s his tackling ability that keeps him out of the top 5 conversation. His struggles and inconsistency tackling hurt the Saints defense at times this season.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #9 Talanoa Hufanga
#9 – Talanoa Hufanga
They call him the Troy Polamalu clone. He has made it his mission to work with Troy Polamalu this off-season and it shows. Not just with his head and shoulders like hair, but the way he plays on the field.
He started this season on absolute fire. Hufanga seemed to be everywhere on the field roaming and making massive plays in coverage and in the box.
The end of the season was a different story. Teams started to pick on him in coverage and the majority of his touchdowns allowed were in the last couple of games.
That being said, this is a 23 year old who just made the first team all-pro. I fully believe in him as a talent and expect nothing less than him improving his consistency going into next season.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #8 Antoine Winfield
#8 – Antoine Winfield
His dad was an all-pro cornerback, so it’s no surprise that Antoine Winfield has become one of the top safeties in the NFL.
While he started off as mainly just a deep coverage player, he has really developed into a versatile threat. Just like his father, he now has the ability to line up in the slot. He has also shown the ability to step up into the box and make plays stopping the run or rushing the passer.
This versatility is a must in today’s NFL. Being able to move around at safety makes it extremely difficult for offenses and Quarterbacks to predict your defensive play call.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #7 Jordan Poyer
#7 – Jordan Poyer
If it weren’t for an injury, Jordan Poyer would have been one of the top 5 best safeties in the NFL on this ranking. His talent reflected that, and while he struggled a bit playing through injury later in the season, he finished the same way he started. Dominant.
His partner in crime Micah Hyde along with Tre’Davious White were injured early in the season leaving Poyer as the leader of this secondary.
His ability to close on pass catchers in pass coverage is his specialty. Jordan Poyer works sideline to sideline like the best of them allowing for big plays to be made.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #6 Budda Baker
#6 – Budda Baker
Last year, Budda Baker was in contention as the best safety in the NFL. That led to him becoming one of the highest paid safeties ever.
Though, the Cardinals had a big fall off this season. The production of Budda Baker reflected that. Budda Baker is still one of the most talented safeties in the NFL, but sadly for him he played on one of the worst defenses in the NFL. That makes it hard to produce.
Number 6 is no joke, but it’s a fall off from his previous ranking. That being said, I still believe in him as a talent and would not be shocked to see him rise on this list next season.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #5 Jessie Bates
#5 – Jessie Bates
It’s been a little fall from grace for Jessie Bates. Over the playoffs last season, many were ready to crown Jessie Bates as the best safety in the NFL. The problem is his consistency.
Since then, he’s had his big moments as expected, but his low moments overshadow that. For every big play he makes, it’s as if he allows a big play against nearly as often.
I’m getting nitpicky when looking at the best of the best. I still believe he is someone offenses need to scheme against because of his talent, but I do believe he has some work to do before being classified as the best.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #4 Justin Simmons
#4 – Justin Simmons
The Denver Broncos were a dumpster fire offensively this season. But the Broncos defense was keeping them afloat, including top safety Justin Simmons.
I look at a safety like Justin Simmons and believe that he could be dominant in any era. He isn’t dependent on a single aspect of his game. While I believe his coverage ability is his best trait, I believe he can do it all.
He continues to be a turnover machine for the Broncos. His 6 interceptions mark a career high as he has had 5 interceptions in each of the two previous seasons.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – Honorable Mention Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Honorable Mention – Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
I got a lot of hate from Eagles fans this season for not having CGJ higher on my lists. It’s clear that he is one of the best ball hawk safeties in the NFL, but there is a massive hole in his game.
Along with that ball hawk ability he is also one of the league’s worst tacklers. He wiffed on too many tackles this season for me to consider him in the top 10 for best safeties in the NFL. But I must admit he is very close.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #3 Kevin Byard
#3 – Kevin Byard
Last season, I ranked Kevin Byard as the best safety in the NFL. While I do believe his play has fallen off, I do believe he is still in the top 3 category.
The big culprit in my opinion is this horrific Titans defense. They started off the season being able to rush the pressure and force throws under duress, but that was lost at mid-season. The Titans fell off and it’s harder in coverage when the Quarterback isn’t pressured.
He is still the dominant “center field” safety being able to cover ground in deep coverage. Byard is also still very effective and reliable making tackles in the box and in open field.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #2 Derwin James
#2 – Derwin James
You can tell just how much a team trusts a player by how many different things they ask him to do. This season we saw Derwin James play in the box against teams that relied on their rushing attack. Then when they played the Chiefs, they put him on an island with the league’s best tight end in Travis Kelce.
Derwin James was clearly the best player on this defense and his responsibilities reflected that. Fresh off his injury, Derwin James returned to status as an elite safety.
He is an athletic freak with a knack for the football. While I did not rank him as the best safety in the NFL this season (it was very close), I believe it’s only a matter of time before he gets crowned for that title.
Top 10 Best Safeties in the NFL Today 2023 – #1 Minkah Fitzpatrick
#1 – Minkah Fitzpatrick
While Minkah Fitzpatrick isn’t one of the hardest hitting safeties like Derwin James, his big play ability in coverage makes the difference for me. He tied for most interceptions this season and just earned 1st team all-pro honors for the third time in his five year career.
Unlike some of the other players who have a blunder for every big play turnover, that is not the case for Minkah Fitzpatrick. He doesn’t take unnecessary risks to intercept the football. His IQ in coverage is unmatched by any other safety.
This Steelers team was in shambles early this year. Especially with T.J. Watt going down to injury, Fitzpatrick needed to put this defense on his back and he did.
While they didn’t make the playoffs this season, they made a damn good run. They finished the season playing like a playoff team, but it was too little too late.
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