So, the safety has a whole lot going on. He is playing middle field trying to stop the pass or the run. He is sometimes calling defensive plays. And most times he is the captain. And through it all the safety is racking up tackles and interceptions.
Yes, some are better than others. Here are 30 that are really good, and two facts you need to know about each safety.
1. Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bear
Bears will be playing under new defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano.
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Jackson is valuable in leagues that score higher on turnovers and defensive touchdowns.
2018 stats: 45 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 6 interceptions
2. Jamal Adams, New York Jets
Jets are playing under new defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams.
Adams had double digit tackles in five games during the 2018 season.
2018 stats: 94 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 4 sacks, 1 interception
3. Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers INJURED
James may miss 3-4 months after surgery for a stress fracture in his foot.
2018 stats: 79 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions
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4. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Last season, he had a career high in sacks and tackles for a loss. Also, tied a career high in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.
Earned a 91.3 grade on run defense according to Pro Football Focus, and ranked third for pass rush.
2018 stats: 69 solo tackles, 13 assisted tackles, 1 forced fumble, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions
5. Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
Has started 139 regular season games in nine NFL seasons.
In the final year of his contract, he was toying with the idea of retirement after the Super Bowl, but decided to come back and play out the final season.
2018 stats: 55 solo tackles, 9 assisted tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception
6. Eric Weddle, Los Angeles Rams
Was released from the Baltimore Ravens. Signed with Rams three days later.
May slide into Lamarcus Joyner’s spot, which yielded DE2/3 numbers last season.
2018 stats: 59 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, 1 sack,
7. Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs
Playing for a new team that also has a new defensive coordinator, in Steve Spagnuolo.
According to Scout.com his average fantasy points have increased 43% from 2017.
2018 stats: 73 solo tackles, 9 assisted tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions
8. Earl Thomas, Baltimore Ravens
Pro Football Focus’ top safety in the NFL going into 2019 season.
Coming off season with lower leg fracture painfully similar to previous injury.
2018 stats: 21 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 3 interceptions
9. Landon Collins, Washington
Recovering from torn labrum late in the 2018 season.
Moving from the New York Giants, to Washington. Washington’s defense has had previous issues adapting system to players.
2018 stats: 79 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 1 forced fumble
10. Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans
Graded out as the number four safety, according to Pro Football Focus, for 2018 (was the number three in 2017).
Signed contract which makes him the highest-paid safety in NFL history in term on average annual value.
2018 stats: 62 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions
11. Malcom Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles
Played every defensive snap of the 2018 season.
Pro Football Focus graded him out at 79.2 last season.
2018 stats: 85 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 1 interception
12. Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills
Bills finished the 2018 NFL season as the top ranked pass defense.
Poyer finished ninth in standard IDP scoring for safeties.
2018 stats: 74 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions
13. John Johnson III, Los Angeles Rams
According to Rotowire.com, Johnson averages more than one tackle per 10 snaps.
Per Scout.com, his fantasy average improved by 34% from 2017 to 2018.
2018 stats: 85 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 interceptions
14. Shawn Williams, Cincinnati Bengals
Williams was third in interceptions by a safety in 2018 with five.
IDPGuys projected 2019 stats for Williams: 107 total tackles, one sack, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown.
2018 stats: 95 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, 1 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 5 interceptions
15. Damarious Randall, Cleveland Browns
Changed from cornerback to free safety, then proved to be one of best tackling safeties in the league.
Averaged 8.1 fantasy points in his first four games, and 5.2 fantasy points in his final five games.
2018 stats: 72 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 4 interceptions
16.Lamarcus Joyner, Oakland Raiders
Last season, Raiders allowed opposition 381 yards per game, the 26th worst in the league.
Joyner gives Raiders much needed secondary help. He can play both safety and outside nickel.
2018 stats: 63 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
17. Jabrill Peppers, New York Giants
All he did last season was improve: his first five games he averaged 3.9 fantasy points, next five games he averaged 4.2 fantasy points and in the final games of the season averaged 56 fantasy points per game.
His strength lies in sacks and fumble recoveries.
2018 stats: 59 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
18. Patrick Chung, New England Patriots – Indicted for felony possession of cocaine
2018 stats: 66 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception
19. Keanu Neal, Atlanta Falcons: KNEE INJURY WEEK 1 in 2018
Was out last season with knee injury, but 2017 was the second ranked defensive back averaging 7.2 fantasy points per game.
Neal’s strengths are in tackles and fumbles.
20.Adrian Amos, Green Bay Packers
Added motivation of playing for heated rival within the division.
Scout.com projection for 2019: isn’t really good 17 total tackles, 1.3 interceptions, .8 sacks
2018 stats: 59 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions
21. Eric Reid, Carolina Panthers;
Started all 13 games that he was active for the Panthers in 2018.
2018 stats: 50 solo tackles, 21 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 5 passes defended, 1 interception
22. Ha-Ha Clinton Dix, Chicago Bears
Should be playing the middle or center field position in the Bears defense.
Consider him a reliable top 5 safety in 2019.
2018 stats: 79 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, 2 forced fumble, 1 sack, 3 interceptions
23. Kareem Jackson, Denver Broncos
Playing for new team and for defensive guru new head coach, Vic Fangio.
Will play safety in the base defense to slot duties in the nickel.
2018 stats: 73 solo tackles, 9 assisted tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 2 interception
24.Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills
Is no longer wearing a non-contact jersey in practice.
His strong points are in interceptions, but still should be considered a spot starter.
2018 stats: 52 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, 2 interceptions
25. Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
Even though he played with a shoulder injury in 2018 he finished with 72 total tackles and three interceptions.
Last season finished standard IDP leagues with 68.7 points.
2018 stats: 61 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles, 3 interceptions
26. Jessie Bates, Cincinnati Bengals
Earned a 79.9 Pro Football Focus grade for his rookie 2018 season.
When opponents threw his way, his stats: 23-39 for 370 yards, 59% completion, no touchdowns, and a QBR of 58.7
2018 stats: 83 solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles, 3 interceptions
27. nSean Davis, Pittsburgh Steelers
Three down safety who was on the field for 978 defensive snaps in 2018, highest total in team.
Earned a 69.8 grade for the 2018 season from Pro Football Focus.
2018 stats: 64 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception
28. Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
Was the 34th overall safety in run defense, according to, Pro Football Focus.
Can Fangio do for Simmons, what he did for Jackson?
2018 stats: 74 solo tackles, 13 assisted tackles, 3 interceptions
29. Antoine Bethea, New York Giants
According to Scout.com, his average fantasy points increased by 33% in 2018 season.
Bethea ranked number three in solo tackles and number four in sacks.
2018 stats: 103 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, 1 forced fumbles, 3 sacks
30. Quandre Diggs, Detroit Lions
Finished 2018 second on the Lions for total tackles.
Is good in run defense and is projected to have 90-100 tackles this season.
2018 stats: 71 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 3 interceptions
All 2018 stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
