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NFL 2019 Safety Rankings

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.

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

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

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