Ranking the top 10 safeties in the NFL feat. Jordan Poyer, Budda Baker, Justin Simmons, and more

NFL safeties come in a variety of sizes and forms. Safety is the final line of defense for the backline, as its name implies. Ensuring no offensive players rush or grab a score is the safety's responsibility. They frequently have the deepest defensive lineup.

Pass coverage towards the field's center and flanks are among the safety's defensive duties. It's a difficult job and one mistake often results in a touchdown. Between being torched by speedy and agile receivers or blasted by the top running backs, this is a position for the crazy-brave.

Let's examine the top ten safeties of the 2022 NFL season:

#10 - Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills

Jordan Poyer of the Buffalo Bills looks on from the sideline

Before signing with the Buffalo Bills in 2017, Jordan Poyer had difficulties finding his ideal position. Poyer was selected in the seventh round in 2013, but as a 31-year-old, his career is certainly at its prime. Poyer is in the middle of the Bills' upward trajectory. With five interceptions, three sacks, and 93 total tackles in the 2021 season, he was voted First-Team All-Pro.

#9 - Jessie Bates III, Cincinnati Bengals

Jessie Bates #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals during practice

In last season's playoffs, Jessie Bates' outstanding form resurfaced. He demonstrated why he was considered one of the top safeties going into 2021. There is no better overall free safety alternative in the NFL than Bates when he performs to his full capabilities. He's undoubtedly one of the league's top players and has been a huge part of the Cincinnati Bengals' success over the past few seasons.

#8 - Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Antoine Winfield has already lived up to the hype associated with his name in just two complete seasons. His dad was a three-time Pro Bowl player, and the young Winfield made his debut in 2021. As a rookie, he contributed an interception to Tampa Bay's Super Bowl triumph. Winfield's extensive expertise as a cornerback greatly aids his coverage abilities as a safety.

#7 - Richie Grant, Atlanta Falcons

Richie Grant #27 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on after a play

Richie Grant started the second season after spending his debut season on the bench. He has had a huge effect on the passing game. Since the beginning of the 2021 season, the Atlanta Falcons have made a complete organizational overhaul. They've hired a new general manager, head coach, and starting quarterback.

One of the fresh faces that will be here to stay is Grant. Drafted 40th overall in 2021, Grant will be a major part of their future and among the best performing safeties in the league.

#6 - Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

New Orleans Saints v Pittsburgh Steelers

Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Pittsburgh Steelers have become the ideal combination. This is why he was given a four-year, $73.6 million deal this offseason. Fitzpatrick achieved a career-best of 124 tackles last year and was named to the First Team All-Pro in 2019 and 2020.

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Fitzpatrick has demonstrated the kind of performances that any franchise would be happy to have over his three campaigns with the Steelers. Incredibly, Fitzpatrick is still only 26 years old. Thus, the upcoming seasons should see him reach his peak and perform at his best. He will doubtless be one of the best safeties in the NFL for years to come.

#5 - Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

Budda Baker is one of the top powerful safeties in the league and a standout run defender. He is an excellent cover safety, thanks to his adaptability. In addition to the more complex numbers, Baker can accumulate a lot of tackles. On three occasions in his career, he's ended with 100+ tackles; last year, he nearly did it with 98. Four and three times, respectively, Baker has made the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro. He earns $14.75 million annually, making him the sixth-highest-paid safety.

#4 - Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans

Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates

Since he was a highly touted prospect, Kevin Byard has been a standard free safety. He achieved a career-high total PFF grade of 90.4 and a coverage grade of 90.9 last year. It was the third 80.0-plus coverage grade of his career, and it was the third time he lined up at free safety for more than 600 snaps in a season.

#3 - Tyrann Mathieu, New Orleans Saints

Tyrann Mathieu of the New Orleans Saints is one of the top safeties in the NFL

Tyrann Mathieu is among the most spectacular ball-playing safeties in the league. He has had a massive effect on every squad he has played with. Last season, Tyrann Mathieu was selected for the Pro Bowl for the second time in succession. Four hundred and thirty-eight snaps in the box were the outcome of his defensive performance.

#2 - Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

Safety Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos fields questions from the media

Last season, Justin Simmons improved as a red zone safety, showing up a lot to Denver's relief. On the field in 2021, Simmons was just as adaptable as he had been in prior seasons. Simmons has it covered anywhere safeties need to line up and performed well. Simmons is also a good tackler and rusher when necessary, but last season, his coverage skills really stood out.

#1- Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers

Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers takes the field before a game

Derwin James is the finest safety in the game when he is fit. The highly-rated player was on fire in the 2021 season when he featured 15 times for the Los Angeles Chargers. This followed two seasons of frustrating injuries.

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He has demonstrated a top-notch capacity to work across the board and cover every job. He's used fairly equally as a classic free safety in the slot and the box. James is an impactful player regardless of where Los Angeles chooses to line him up. James is not only capable of doing whatever must be done on the defensive line, but he may well be the best in the league at it. As such, he tops the list of the best safeties in the NFL.