Safeties are viewed as the last lifeline for most defenses. There are a number of individual safeties who are the best in the game regardless of position. Their importance has grown over the years. It shows in recent drafts, with 30 safeties taken in the first two rounds since 2010.
So who are the best safety tandems in the NFL? Let’s take a look.
Honorable Mentions
Landon Collins/Darian Thompson, New York Giants – This duo misses the top 10 only because of Thompson’s rookie season. A foot injury in week two limited him to three games. Thompson was an established ballhawk in college. If he is completely healthy, that skill should carry over to the NFL. As for Collins, his 2016 season vaulted him into the top 5 category in overall safeties in the league. Expect to see this duo on the list next year.
Sean Davis/Mike Mitchell, Pittsburgh Steelers – Mitchell kept his reputation as a hard hitter. He was an intimidating presence on the back end of the defense. Davis started 14 games as a rookie and played in all 16 while recording 54 tackles and five pass breakups. The two can help the Steelers defense improve even more going into the 2017 season.
Tyrann Mathieu/Antoine Bethea, Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals are loaded with talent on the defensive side of the ball. However, Mathieu aka “Honey Badger” finds ways to make his presence felt on the field as a playmaker. Mathieu is just two seasons removed from a first team All-Pro year. He had 90 tackles, 17 pass breakups and five interceptions that season. Bethea came over from division foe San Francisco this offseason. He should add some thump to a secondary that needs an enforcer.
Top 10 Safety Duos
Ranking No. 10 and No. 9
10. Tashaun Gipson/Barry Church, Jacksonville Jaguars – The tandem was put together this offseason with the free agency acquisition of Church. Both have missed time this offseason with injuries. Still, both are expected to be ready for week one. Church improved his missed tackle percentage from 12% between 2013-2015 to 9% in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus. Gipson took a slight step back this past season. However, in a new and complex scheme, his ballhawking could make him a true playmaker.
9. Reggie Nelson/Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders – Nelson and Joseph were better than advertised last season. They held up despite inconsistent cornerback play for the Raiders. Nelson was fifth in the league with five interceptions last season. He also has 38 pass breakups over the last three seasons. His savviness rubbed off on Joseph as the 2016 rookie improved over the latter portion of the season. A nice mixture of experience and youth gives the Raiders a solid set of safeties on the backend.
Ranking No. 8 and No. 7
8. Ricardo Allen/Keanu Neal, Atlanta Falcons – The Falcons entered 2016 with an inconsistent free safety in Allen. Strong safety Neal was considered a reach as the 17th overall pick. Both outplayed expectations this past season. Neal was second among rookies with 106 tackles and led all rookies with five forced fumbles, third in the league. Allen came up big with two interceptions in the postseason. He also had 90 tackles and two picks in the regular season. The Falcons may climb in the defensive rankings this season, and this safety combo will be a big reason why.
7. Rodney McLeod/Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles – Forget about the team’s woes at cornerback for a minute. McLeod and Jenkins were solid this past season. Jenkins posted 69 tackles and three interceptions while playing safety and slot corner. McLeod earned an 80.2 PFF grade in his first season as an Eagle. He was third on the team with 79 tackles. Combined, the two reeled in six of the team’s 16 total interceptions, which was ninth in the league. It’s easy to overlook this tandem but McLeod and Jenkins are a productive combination at the safety spot.
Ranking No. 6 and No. 5
6. Ha Ha Clinton Dix/Morgan Burnett, Green Bay Packers – It took a couple of seasons, but Clinton-Dix and Burnett clicked in 2016. They gave a light to a Packers secondary that struggled because of its corners. Clinton-Dix was tied for fifth in the league in interceptions with five and earned his first Pro Bowl berth. Meanwhile, Burnett led the team in tackles and was second on the team in pass breakups. Both ranked within the top 18 of safeties overall according to Pro Football Focus. This tag team took a while to produce results. Now it is on the verge of the league’s elite.
5. Eric Berry/Ron Parker, Kansas City Chiefs – Berry has been one of the best all around defensive playmakers in recent seasons. He earned first team All-Pro honors in back to back years. A lucrative contract this offseason was the result for Berry and it was well deserved. Parker showcased his versatility by seeing time at both free safety and corner. Parker led all NFL safeties with eight pass breakups. According to PFF, he had his finest season with an 81.9 rating. Both are stable with long-term deals in Kansas City and a bright future is at safety for the Chiefs.
Ranking No. 4 and No. 3
4. TJ Ward/Darian Stewart, Denver Broncos – Some will point to Denver’s top pass rush and excellent corners around this safety duo. That may be true. However, Stewart and Ward have helped the Broncos more than they get credit for. The hard hitting Ward set a career high in forced fumbles this season. Meanwhile, Stewart made his first Pro Bowl with 68 tackles and three interceptions. The Broncos were fourth against opposing tight ends in 2016 according to Football Outsiders. That achievement can be credited to the outstanding safety tandem.
3. Devin McCourty/Patrick Chung, New England Patriots – McCourty and Chung have been teammates every season except 2013. They have been consistent the whole time. Chung and McCourty finished second and third on the team in tackles. While McCourty handles the pass coverage, Chung is the more productive of the two in run defense. Over the years, head coach Bill Belichick has rotated corners such as Revis, Browner, Arrington, Butler, Ryan and Rowe. Through it all, he has mainly relied on these safeties.
Ranking No. 2 and No. 1
2. Eric Weddle/Tony Jefferson, Baltimore Ravens – Some of you think it is crazy to rank a duo this high before they have played a game together. It is a little twist but this goes to show how effective this duo can and will be. Jefferson was standout in Arizona last season with 96 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He was also PFF’s fifth rated safety in the league last season. Weddle was PFF’s top rated safety this past season and missed only three tackles in 95 attempts. Weddle and Jefferson give the Ravens two similar safeties. They will be two aces in the Baltimore defense.
1. Earl Thomas/Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks – This one was probably no surprise. The veteran Seahawks tandem takes the throne as the best in the league. Between the two, there are nine Pro Bowl seasons although both missed this past season. Chancellor posted his highest PFF grade, 91.2, despite playing only 12 games. Thomas missed five games, the first time he had not started all 16 since 2010. Thomas also posted his fourth straight season with an 84.6 PFF grade. They have been on top of the league for several seasons now and things have not changed at all.
