This year the safety market is certainly a seller’s market. Besides the top few there just aren’t many quality options out there. Because of this the best safeties at the top are going to really cash in during free agency.
5. Dawan Landry
Landry is a strong safety who plays like a linebacker a lot of times. He lacks the raw athleticism that a lot of guys at his position have but he makes up for with instincts and being able to read plays quickly. He’s very good in run defense due to his ability to move well in traffic and track the ball very well.
4. Rahim Moore
Moore’s biggest problem is that he lacks top-level speed. This affects him greatly because it prevents him from getting down the field and being able to cover speedy wide receivers consistently. When it comes to underneath routes he is a very good cover safety though. He is also a very solid tackler and doesn’t miss many. He’s certainly not a single high safety but he will give you solid play at the safety position.
3. Da’Norris Searcy
Out of all qualifying safeties in the NFL, Searcy ranked fourth in coverage snaps per reception (the amount of times the safety is the primary man in coverage relative to how many receptions he allows). He has shown much improvement from previous seasons and seeing as though he is still very young he has much more room for improvement.
2. Will Hill
Hill is an excellent cover safety due to his speed and length. With that speed and length comes great range so, if needed, teams can use him as a single high safety if they need to. Not only is he a great asset in the pass game, he’s also a very good tackler and stout against the run. Hill is very young and be a team’s long term answer at the safety position.
1. Devin McCourty
McCourty’s transition from cornerback to free safety has been extremely beneficial. He has the range and coverage skills teams that teams love in free safeties and has excellent play recognition. He also has excellent speed and change of direction skills. His run defense isn’t exactly elite but being a single high safety the Patriots never needed him much in that aspect.
Update: Re-signed with Patriots