NFL free agents 2021: Top 10 safeties
It seems like the free-agent safety market is saturated with great players every year. And the 2021 offseason is no different.Even though top-tier safeties Justin Simmons, Marcus Williams, and Marcus Maye were all slapped with the franchise tag, there are still countless starters available that could change teams. Safety-needy teams will certainly be able to land an upgrade -- if they have the money to spend.Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots added Adrian Phillips in free agency last offseason. Could they target another safety option this year?Here are the top safeties available in 2021 NFL free agency.
Age: 25
2020 stats: 105 tackles, one interception, eight pass defenses
Johnson has improved seemingly every year since being a third-round pick by the Rams in 2017. The Boston College product is a sure tackler, can play either safety spot, and has averaged two picks and eight pass defenses per year. The well-rounded playmaker should garner a lot of interest with the other top-tier safeties (Simmons, Maye, and Williams) getting slapped with the franchise tag.
Age: 29
2020 stats: 104 tackles, zero interceptions, seven pass defenses
Harris set a career-high in tackles last year and while he wasn't a dynamic playmaker on the ball as he had been in the two previous seasons, he was still a rock-solid starter. He had a league-high six interceptions in 2019, so if he can add that back to his repertoire, he should be a top-15 NFL safety once again. Some team will bet on that happening.
Age: 32
2020 stats: 89 tackles, one interception, four pass defenses
Jackson just finished his 11th NFL season and his second at the safety spot. He made the transition over from the cornerback spot smoothly and should still have a few good years left in the tank. He had a career-high 89 tackles last year and his ability to fill in as needed at cornerback will give him a leg up on the competition at safety. The Broncos have a club option to keep Jackson around for one more year, but they may let him hit free agency since he's due $11 million.
Age: 25
2020 stats: 100 tackles, nine TFL, one sack, one interception, one pass defense
Neal is still a physical, hard-hitting safety that plays well against the run. However, he had some issues in coverage last year in his first nearly-full season back from a torn Achilles. He also tore his ACL in 2018 and played just four games in a two-year span. Perhaps another year removed from both injuries will afford him an opportunity to return to form. He's still young, after all, but he may have to sign a one-year deal to prove himself.
Age: 24
2020 stats: Seven tackles
Like Neal, Hooker has talent, but he has struggled to stay healthy. He played in just two games last year as a result of a torn Achilles. Unlike Neal, Hooker is better in coverage when he's on the field. He'll probably have to take a prove-it deal this offseason, but he's so young that a gamble could pay off in the right situation.
Age: 28
2020 stats: 95 tackles, one interception, four pass defenses
Boston set a career-high in tackles made last year, but he snapped a four-season streak of logging at least two interceptions. Boston is versatile enough to serve as a centerfielder or a box safety, so there should be enough interest in him on the open market. He's better as a ballhawk though, so expect him to go to a team where he can play deep and make plays with his eyes and athleticism.
Age: 30
2020 stats: 66 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass defenses
Gipson isn't the same Pro Bowl-level talent he was for a brief time with the Cleveland Browns, but he still makes plays on the ball and has logged multiple interceptions in three of his last four seasons. He can be relied on as a solid starter.
Age: 25
2020 stats: 72 tackles, one pass defense
Woods wasn't a playmaker for the Cowboys lackluster defense last year, but in previous seasons, he had averaged 1.7 interceptions, 5.7 pass defenses, and one forced fumble per season for Dallas. He's a solid starter that still has some upside, especially if he can add his playmaking skills back in with his good coverage ability.
Age: 29
2020 stats: 30 tackles, one interception, four pass defenses
Tartt has been a good starter for the 49ers. He's a good hitter and is decent in coverage. However, health has been an issue for him. He has never played a full 16-game season at the NFL level and has missed 29 games the last four seasons. He will probably need to sign a prove-it deal unless he wants to take a longer-term deal worth backup money.
Age: 30
2020 stats: 73 tackles, two interceptions, five pass defenses
The Patriots traded Harmon to the Lions before the 2020 season and Detroit gave Harmon a chance to start all 16 games for the first time in his career. The results were good. Harmon had a career-high 73 tackles and was his typical well-rounded self. He should be able to serve as a solid starter or a high-quality backup for a handful of years.
