2012 NFL Free Agents: Safeties

2012 NFL Free Agent Positions:
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2012 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2012.
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Tyvon Branch, SS, Raiders. Age: 25.
Franchised by Raiders

Tyvon Branch is a talented strong safety who has many good years left ahead of him. The Raiders can’t afford to let him get away.
Michael Griffin, S, Titans. Age: 27.
Franchised by Titans

Michael Griffin played very well in 2011, but had issues with consistency beforehand. He could join Cortland Finnegan in playing under Jeff Fisher again in St. Louis.
LaRon Landry, SS, Redskins. Age: 27.
Signed with Jets (1 year, $4 million)

LaRon Landry would be ranked much higher than this if he weren’t so injury-prone. Landry has played in just 17 games the past two years. He could miss some more time next season because of an Achilles injury (not torn).
Dashon Goldson, FS, 49ers. Age: 27.
Franchised by 49ers

There are a lot of posts about Dashon Goldson in the comment board below, so I’ll address this ranking. Goldson stinks in coverage. That’s why I initially put him at 1.5 stars, but you could argue two or 2.5 because of his ability against the run. Of the safeties who have played 800-plus snaps this year, he’s surrendered the eighth-highest completion percentage. He allowed four touchdowns this year (tied for fifth among safeties) despite the amazing front seven he has in front of him. He’s tied for sixth in penalties among safeties this year. If he played behind a mediocre front seven, he would be exposed. Those who just look at stats and Pro Bowl voting might think Goldson is great, but he’s just a backup at best.
Dwight Lowery, FS, Jaguars. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Jaguars (4 years)

Dwight Lowery was solid in taking over for Courtney Greene at first, but was slowed down late by a shoulder injury. He’s not a proven commodity though.
Tanard Jackson, S, Buccaneers. Age: 27.
Signed with Redskins

Tanard Jackson was considered to be one of the NFL’s top up-and-coming safeties prior to his season-long suspension in 2010. He returned to the lineup last year, but really struggled. He’s still young and talented, so maybe he can revert to 2009 form with good coaching.
Mike Adams, FS, Browns. Age: 31.
Signed with Broncos

Mike Adams is a serviceable free safety. The Browns could upgrade him, but they have way too many other things to focus on this offseason.
Jim Leonhard, SS, Jets. Age: 29.
Signed with Broncos

Jim Leonhard is a good player, but he tore his patellar tendon in December. He won’t be ready for the start of the 2012 campaign.
Reggie Nelson, FS, Bengals. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Bengals

Reggie Nelson found a home in Marvin Lewis’ defense, performing well early on. However, he really struggled down the stretch.
Thomas DeCoud, FS, Falcons. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Falcons (5 years, $17.5 million; $4 million guaranteed)

Thomas DeCoud is good in run support, but tends to get lost in coverage. He performed poorly in the beginning of the year, but picked up his play late.
O.J. Atogwe, FS, Redskins. Age: 31.
Signed with Eagles (1 year)

O.J. Atogwe still would be a decent safety if he could stay healthy, but that has been really difficult for him over the past couple of years.
Nick Collins, FS, Packers. Age: 29.
I’m really not sure what to do with Nick Collins in terms of these rankings. He’s a 4.5-star talent, but his career could be over because of a neck injury. The fact that the Packers cut him speaks volumes.
Charlie Peprah, S, Packers. Age: 29.
Melvin Bullitt, S, Colts. Age: 27.
Deon Grant, S, Giants. Age: 33.
Craig Steltz, SS, Bears. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Bears (2 years)
Brodney Pool, S, Cowboys. Age: 28.
Chris Crocker, S, Bengals. Age: 32.
Rashad Johnson (RFA), FS, Cardinals. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Cardinals (1 year, $1.26 million)
Tom Zbikowski, SS, Ravens. Age: 27. — Signed with Colts (3 years)
Haruki Nakamura, S, Ravens. Age: 26. — Signed with Panthers (3 years)
Chris Harris, S, Lions. Age: 30.
Jordan Babineaux, SS, Titans. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Titans (2 years, $5 million)
Sean Jones, SS, Buccaneers. Age: 30. — Signed with Lions
Yeremiah Bell, SS, Dolphins. Age: 34. — Signed with Jets (1 year, $1.4 million)
Chris Hope, SS, Titans. Age: 31.
Steve Gregory, S, Chargers. Age: 29. — Signed with Patriots (3 years)
Reggie Smith, S, 49ers. Age: 25. — Signed with Panthers
Abram Elam, S, Cowboys. Age: 30.
Tyrell Johnson, S, Vikings. Age: 27. — Signed with Dolphins
Courtney Greene, S, Jaguars. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Jaguars (1 year, $1.26 million)
Atari Bigby, SS, Seahawks. Age: 30. — Signed with Chargers (2 years)
Brian Dawkins, SS, Broncos. Age: 38. — Announced retirement
Husain Abdullah, S, Vikings. Age: 27.
Corey Lynch, S, Buccaneers. Age: 27. — Signed with Chargers
Bryan Scott, S, Bills. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Bills
Jon McGraw, S, Chiefs. Age: 33.
Matt Giordano, S, Raiders. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Raiders
James Ihedigbo, S, Patriots. Age: 28.
Brandon Meriweather, S, Bears. Age: 28. — Signed with Redskins (2 years, $6 million)
James Sanders, SS, Falcons. Age: 28. — Signed with Cardinals
Ryan Mundy (RFA), S, Steelers. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Steelers (1 year, $1.26 million)
Madieu Williams, FS, 49ers. Age: 30. — Signed with Redskins
C.J. Spillman (RFA), S, 49ers. Age: 26. — Re-signed with 49ers (3 years, $6 million)
Erik Coleman, S, Lions. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Lions (1 year)
Paul Oliver, S, Chargers. Age: 28.
Dominique Barber, S, Texans. Age: 26.
Quintin Demps (RFA), S, Texans. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Texans
Gibril Wilson, S, Bengals. Age: 30.
Jarrad Page, S, Vikings. Age: 27. — Announced retirement
Sabby Piscitelli, S, Chiefs. Age: 29.
Hamza Abdullah, S, Cardinals. Age: 29.
Sean Considine, S, Cardinals. Age: 29. — Signed with Ravens
Bobby Sanders, SS, Chargers. Age: 31.
Anthony Smith, S, Titans. Age: 28.
Derrick Martin, S, Giants. Age: 27.
Gerald Alexander, S, Jets. Age: 28.
Jon Corto, S, Bills. Age: 27.
Hiram Eugene, S, Raiders. Age: 31.