- Kyle Hamilton leads the best way: The versatile Ravens defensive again was the one security to earn at the very least an 88.0 PFF grade in protection, run protection and cross speeding this previous season.
- Xavier McKinney confirmed out in his first 12 months in Green Bay: His 90.2 PFF protection grade ranked second on the place after he recorded eight interceptions — tied for essentially the most amongst safeties.
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Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes
We’re persevering with to focus on the most effective NFL gamers at each place heading into the 2025 season. Next up are the highest 32 safeties.
Safety efficiency may be risky within the NFL, so one dangerous season doesn’t carry as a lot weight as it’d for different positions.
Be positive to take a look at all of PFF’s 2025 NFL pre-season rankings (QB, WR, RB, TE, OT, DI, EDGE, LB, CB).
Editor’s Note: Baltimore’s Ar’Darius Washington is excluded from this checklist, as it’s unknown whether or not he’ll be capable to play in 2025 following an Achilles harm.
1. Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
Hamilton confirmed off his versatility in 2024, shifting to free security for a lot of the second half of the season after taking part in primarily within the field or as a slot cornerback initially.
He was additionally essentially the most full security within the league as the one participant on the place to earn at the very least an 88.0 PFF grade in protection, run protection and cross speeding.
2. Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers
McKinney’s first season in Green Bay went beautifully. He was among the many finest safeties in protection in 2024, along with his 90.2 PFF protection grade rating second on the place after he recorded eight interceptions — tied for essentially the most amongst safeties. He allowed a 56.4 passer ranking in protection, the third-best mark on the place.
3. Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons
While Bates did not replicate his success from his first season in Atlanta — by which he earned a 90.6 PFF general grade — he was nonetheless among the many finest safeties within the league in 2024. He was particularly good in protection, evidenced by his 81.4 PFF protection grade, which ranked eighth on the place.
4. Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite the Buccaneers successful the NFC South, Tampa Bay’s star security had a season to overlook. Winfield struggled with accidents and performed a career-low 601 snaps. He missed 9% of his deal with makes an attempt, which was his worst price of the previous three seasons.
However, Winfield’s profession physique of labor retains him within the prime 4 forward of 2025. He was the league’s highest-graded security in 2023 (90.7) and hadn’t earned a PFF run-defense grade beneath 85.0 earlier than 2024.
5. Brian Branch, Detroit Lions
Following a really spectacular rookie season, Branch additional improved in his second 12 months and established himself as top-of-the-line safeties within the league. His 90.8 PFF run-defense grade ranked first on the place, whereas his 88.0 PFF pass-rushing grade positioned second. His 11 cross breakups have been essentially the most by any security final season.
6. Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions
Following two considerably disappointing seasons to open his NFL account, Joseph loved a breakout 12 months in 2024, incomes a position-leading 91.1 PFF protection grade. He recorded eight interceptions, tying for essentially the most within the league, and solely 60.7% of passes into his protection have been accomplished (eighth finest).
7. Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
The Florida State product was again at his finest final season after a down 12 months in 2023. His 80.8 PFF general grade in 2024 was his highest mark since 2019. His 75.2 PFF pass-rushing grade and 87.9 PFF run-defense grade each ranked fifth amongst safeties in 2024.
8. Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
Baker put collectively arguably the most effective 12 months of his profession in his eighth NFL season. The Washington product logged greater than 1,000 snaps for the primary time since 2021, and he earned a career-high 77.8 PFF general grade that ranked twelfth amongst all safeties.
Baker was particularly productive towards the run, as he earned a optimistic PFF grade on 11.2% of run performs, his highest price since his rookie season.
9. Brandon Jones, Denver Broncos
Durability was a problem for Jones throughout his years with the Dolphins, however whereas he by no means topped 650 snaps with Miami, he logged 1,042 snaps in his first season with the Broncos. He additional elevated his play, too, particularly in protection. He earned an 89.8 PFF protection grade, which ranked third amongst safeties, just like his 84.8 PFF general grade.
10. Jevon Holland, New York Giants
Holland’s rollercoaster profession continued in his fourth and closing season with the Miami Dolphins. While he earned PFF general grades of 84.7 and 90.4 in his first and third seasons, the Oregon product completed with PFF general grades of 67.2 and 63.0 in his second and fourth seasons.
The distinction was obvious in protection, as he was unable to duplicate his 2023 play when he earned an 89.9 PFF protection grade. 2024 was additionally the primary season in Holland’s NFL profession by which he didn’t report an interception.
11. Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks
Similar to a number of safeties as of late, Love’s play improved considerably beneath head coach Mike Macdonald. His 82.2 PFF general grade in 2024 was a profession excessive in his sixth season and ranked seventh amongst all safeties. His 89.5 PFF run-defense grade ranked second on the place, too.
12. Jabrill Peppers, New England Patriots
Peppers missed important time in 2024 whereas on the commissioner’s exempt checklist as a result of off-field points, however his 82.3 PFF general grade nonetheless ranked sixth. Over the previous three seasons, he has earned a 90.1 PFF general grade, which ranks third amongst 96 qualifying safeties.
13. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Houston Texans
Gardner-Johnson put collectively the most effective season of his profession in 2024 — and never simply because he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with the Eagles. His 1,170 snaps have been a profession excessive, as was his 77.0 PFF general grade that ranked 14th amongst safeties.
The now-Texan’s 85.7 PFF protection grade final season positioned sixth amongst 96 qualifying safeties.
14. Justin Reid, New Orleans Saints
The veteran security performed the most effective soccer of his profession in his seventh NFL season, which was his closing 12 months with the Chiefs.
Reid’s 78.2 PFF general grade in 2024 was a profession excessive and ranked eleventh on the place. His PFF protection grade (76.5) and PFF run-defense grade (83.5) additionally each positioned eleventh amongst safeties.
15. Reed Blankenship, Philadelphia Eagles
While Blankenship fashioned top-of-the-line security duos within the NFL with Gardner-Johnson in 2024, he was much less efficient individually in comparison with earlier seasons. Nevertheless, his 69.5 PFF general grade nonetheless ranked twenty ninth within the NFL.
Blankenship’s 78.8 PFF general grade over the previous three years locations him 14th amongst safeties.
Reed Blankenship’s Career PFF Grades
16. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers
Once arguably the most effective security within the NFL, Fitzpatrick has taken a again seat to different gamers in Pittsburgh’s protection. The Alabama product’s 65.2 PFF general grade in 2024 was his lowest since 2021 and ranked solely forty fourth amongst safeties.
Fitzpatrick recorded six interceptions and broke up a further six passes in 2022 alone, however over the previous two seasons, he recorded only one interception and broke up six passes.
17. Malik Hooker, Dallas Cowboys
Following two sturdy seasons by which he ranked among the many prime 15 safeties in PFF general grade, Hooker’s play declined this previous season. The Ohio State product’s 65.3 PFF general grade ranked solely forty second on the place. However, over the earlier two seasons, he mixed to permit simply 19 receptions and three touchdowns in protection.
18. Kevin Byard, Chicago Bears
Even although he’s not as efficient in protection as he was once, Byard — who turns 32 in August — continues to be taking part in at a excessive degree. 2024 was the eighth straight season by which he reached 1,000 snaps, and his 72.8 PFF general grade ranked twenty second on the place. His 86.0 PFF run-defense grade positioned seventh amongst safeties.
19. Jimmie Ward, Houston Texans
Ward has been some of the constant safeties within the league over the previous decade. The former first-round choose has ranked among the many prime 20 safeties in PFF general grade in 5 of the previous six seasons. After a down 2023 season, he was as soon as once more again among the many finest, as his 76.1 PFF general grade positioned fifteenth on the place.
20. Kamren Kinchens, Los Angeles Rams
It took a while for the rookie Kinchens to interrupt into the Rams’ lineup. He performed simply 83 snaps over the primary seven weeks in 2024 however quickly put collectively a number of breakout performances, recording two of the top-40 security performances of the season. Those have been a 92.6 PFF general grade in Week 11 and an 87.8 PFF general grade in Week 9.
21. Jalen Pitre, Houston Texans
The third Texans security on this checklist, Pitre made an enormous leap in his third NFL season regardless of it being minimize quick as a result of an harm. The Baylor product recorded profession highs in PFF general grade, PFF run-defense grade and PFF protection grade, and his 73.9 PFF general grade ranked 18th amongst 98 qualifying safeties.
22. Talanoa Hufanga, Denver Broncos
Hufanga has had bother staying on the sphere and persistently taking part in at a excessive degree since his breakout 2022 season. While he logged 1,216 snaps in that marketing campaign, he was on the sphere for simply 885 snaps over the previous two seasons. He nonetheless earned a 70.5 PFF general grade in 2023, which ranked twenty ninth, however his 57.8 mark in 2024 positioned solely 73rd.
With Hufanga being simply 26 years previous, there isn’t a motive he cannot return to kind in Denver if wholesome.
23. Julian Blackmon, Free Agent
Blackmon has improved his PFF general grade in all 5 of his NFL seasons. His career-high 69.3 PFF general grade in 2024 ranked thirtieth amongst 98 qualifying safeties. He was particularly good in protection, as his 73.5 PFF protection grade positioned nineteenth on the place.
Julian Blackmon’s Career PFF Grades
24. Ronnie Hickman Jr., Cleveland Browns
Durability has been a priority for Hickman, who has performed solely 785 snaps over the primary two seasons of his profession. However, when he’s on the sphere, his potential warrants his inclusion on this checklist.
Hickman’s 77.2 PFF general grade in 2024 ranked thirteenth amongst safeties, just like his 81.7 PFF run-defense grade.
25. Jalen Thompson, Arizona Cardinals
While Thompson has not essentially stood out over time, he has been very constant and reliable for Arizona. The former Washington State participant has earned PFF general grades between 65.0 and 72.0 in every of his previous 5 seasons. Most lately, he generated a 68.8 PFF general grade, which ranked thirty second, and a 76.2 PFF run protection grade, which positioned twenty fifth.
26. Kamren Curl, Los Angeles Rams
Curl loved a breakout season in 2022 when he ranked second within the league with an 82.9 PFF general grade. While he has been unable to duplicate that efficiency, his 2024 play was a pleasant enchancment over his 2023 exhibiting.
Curl’s 67.3 PFF general grade this previous season ranked thirty sixth amongst safeties, however he was in a position to make his uncommon cross speeding snaps rely as he ranked third amongst 24 qualifying safeties with an 81.7 PFF cross speeding grade.
27. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
It says loads concerning the veteran security’s profession that his 67.7 PFF general grade in 2024 was his lowest mark since 2013 and was nonetheless good for the Thirty fourth-best mark on the place.
Smith, who turned 36 in February, was particularly efficient near the road of scrimmage. He earned a 75.9 PFF run-defense grade in 2024, which ranked twenty seventh amongst safeties.
28. Tre’von Moehrig, Carolina Panthers
Moehrig was constant throughout his 4 seasons in Las Vegas, incomes PFF general grades between 67.0 and 71.0 in three of his 4 campaigns. Most lately, he stood out along with his play towards the run, posting an 87.5 PFF run-defense grade in 2024, which ranked sixth amongst 93 qualifying safeties.
29. DeShon Elliott, Pittsburgh Steelers
Elliott constructed his finest season but in 2024, recording a 70.0-plus PFF general grade for the primary time in his profession. His 71.1 mark ranked twenty seventh on the place and truly beat out Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Elliott’s 83.9 PFF run-defense grade this previous season was additionally a top-10 mark.
30. Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings
One of essentially the most versatile gamers within the league, Metellus lined up virtually 100 instances at free security whereas additionally logging greater than 500 snaps within the field and 340 snaps within the slot. He even lined up 64 instances as an edge defender for Minnesota’s protection.
While Metellus’ PFF general grade barely declined from 2023, his 83.1 PFF run-defense grade ranked twelfth amongst safeties.
31. Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts
After taking part in simply 414 snaps over the primary two seasons of his profession, Cross hardly ever got here off the sphere in 2024. His 1,156 snaps have been the second most amongst safeties throughout the common season.
Cross turned that prolonged taking part in time right into a strong 70.3 PFF general grade (twenty eighth) and an 80.3 PFF run-defense grade (seventeenth).
32. Coby Bryant, Seattle Seahawks
First-year Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald discovered a brand new place for Bryant in 2024. After taking part in simply two snaps at free security over his first two seasons, Bryant spent most of his time lining up deep this previous season, logging 668 snaps at free security in 2024.
The transfer reenergized the previous Cincinnati Bearcat, as he earned career-high PFF grades and ranked twenty second amongst safeties with a 72.8 PFF general grade.