Steve Atwater (2020), Troy Polamalu (2020), Brian Dawkins (2021) & Leroy Butler (2022)
Safeties: Steve Atwater (2020), Brian Dawkins (2018), John Lynch (2021), Troy Polamalu (2020),
Note that in 2019, all Defensive Backs were grouped together, and were Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, Ty Law, Ed Reed, and Aeneas Williams. Cornerbacks and Safeties were split in 2020 but kept at four in both categories to keep everything modern. With the addition of Lynch, we now have four modern Safeties, resulting in significant changes. Games increased by nearly 9, but Approximate Value dropped by 10, resulting in a decreased AV/G of nearly .09. Pro Bowls remained the same and First Team All-Pros dropped by .4 Interceptions dropped by more than 3, and Tackles rose by nearly 40.
2022 Pre-Season Rank #99, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #108, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #140.
Minkah Fitzpatrick is now the highest rated Safety on this list, and the sky is the limit for the Pittsburgh Steeler. Only 27, Ftzpatrick has already been a three-time First Team All-Pro and last year he won his first Interceptions Title. The Steelers defense has been solid, and he is still on the rise.
2022 Pre-Season Rank #75,2021 Pre-Season Rank #87, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #103.
Mathieu is an intriguing case as he was a surprise All-Decade recipient, but when you gain that honor, you will be forever talked about in regards to the Hall. Saying that, his AV/G is well below what a Hall of Famer should be, and has been a Pro Bowler only twice. Saying that, he is now a three-time First Team All-Pro, a Super Bowl Champion, and has a star aura. This is a key year for the Honey Badger to see if there is any legitimate Hall of Fame chance.
2022 Pre-Season Rank #79, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #90, 2020 Pre-SeasonRank #72.
The five-year streak of Pro Bowls ended in 2020, butltwo seasons ago Smith was back on the Pro Bowl roster, claiming number six. Smith is, however, not close to any of the MPAs, and will need to keep up his current pace into his mid-30s. That isn’t impossible, but it is more likely that he will regress instead.
2022 Pre-Season Rank #86, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #!113, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #147.
Baker is already a five-time Pro Bowl Selection and is now a two-time First Team All-Pro with only four seasons. Baker is a tackling machine with who led the NFL in Solo Tackles in 2019, and although his AV/G is lower than the MPA, his stature among his peers his huge.
2022 Pre-Season Rank #90, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #94, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #116.
After three seasons, Adams forced his way out of the Jets, and the Seahawks gave up a lot of high picks to get him. If Adams is what we think he is, Seattle won the trade, although he had a down 2021 which was followed by a one-game season where he suffered a torn quad. Notably, Adams already has over 20 Sacks, and holds the single season record for Sacks by a Defensive Back (9.5).
2021 Pre-Season Rank: #137, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #134.
McCourty is 35 and his time is running out. A two-time Pro Bowler, McCourty has three Super Bowls to console him should the Hall of Fame never call him.2022 Pre-Season Rank #123, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #127, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #115.
Eddie Jackson is a six-year veteran, all of which with the Chicago Bears. The Strong Safety was a First Team All-Pro in 2018 and has been to two Pro Bowls. Jackson has not been the same player the last two seasons, but an increased role on what could be an improving Bars defense will put him back on course.
2022: Pre-Season Rank: Unranked
The Denver Broncos did not have a lot to cheer for in 2022, but they did have Justin Simmons, their consistent Safety who was a Second Team All-Pro for the third time in the last four years. If the Broncos reverse course, this sneaky good Defensive Back will see his profile rise.
2022: Pre-Season Rank: Unranked
After a spectacular rookie year (2018) where he was the runner-up for the Defensive Rookie of the Year, James missed 11 Games in 2019 with a foot injury and the entirety of 2020 with a torn meniscus. James defied the odds and the Safety is on a two-year run of Pro Bowls. Can James make a run for the Hall despite his early injury bug?