2021 NFL Free Agents: Safeties

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2021 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2021.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

  1. Marcus Maye, S, Jets. Age: 27.
    Franchised by Jets

    Marcus Maye really stepped up in the wake of Jamal Adams’ departure, becoming one of the better safeties in the NFL.

  2. John Johnson, S, Rams. Age: 25.
    Signed with Browns (3 years, $33.75 million)

    John Johnson is one of the top safeties in the NFL, and he’s only 25 years old. The sky is the limit for him.



  3. Justin Simmons, S, Broncos. Age: 27.
    Re-signed with Broncos (4 years, $66 million)

    Justin Simmons has blossomed into one of the top safeties in the NFL. He has gotten better each season throughout his 5-year career. He has earned a huge contract.

  4. Marcus Williams, S, Saints. Age: 24.
    Franchised by Saints

    Marcus Williams is known for surrendering the infamous Stefon Diggs touchdown, but he has developed into a terrific safety. He’s somehow still only 24 years old.



  5. Desmond King, S/CB, Titans. Age: 26.
    Signed with Texans (1 year)

    Desmond King is a talented player who can literally play everywhere in the secondary. He’s also a good return specialist. He’s a valuable player to have on a roster because of his flexibility.

  6. Kareem Jackson, S, Broncos. Age: 33.
    Re-signed with Broncos

    Kareem Jackson performed on a Pro Bowl level last year, but the Broncos may not exercise the club option on him because he’s due $11 million as a 33-year-old.

  7. Keanu Neal, S, Falcons. Age: 26.
    Signed with Cowboys (1 year, $5 million)

    Keanu Neal was once a terrific safety, but injuries have sapped his ability. He’s still a quality player, and he’s also still young (26), so he could rebound in 2021 and beyond.



  8. Malik Hooker, S, Colts. Age: 25.
    Signed with Cowboys

    Malik Hooker is an exceptional talent, but simply cannot stay healthy. He’s never played a full season, and he’s missed 28 games in four years. The good news is that he’s only 25, so he still has time to turn his career around.

  9. Anthony Harris, S, Vikings. Age: 29.
    Signed with Eagles (1 year, $5 million)

    Anthony Harris was coming off an amazing 2019 campaign when he entered free agency last spring. The Vikings could have given him a huge contract, but they franchised him instead. This turned out to be a good decision because Harris regressed. He wasn’t bad, but he was far from the dominant player he was prior to 2020.




  10. Tashaun Gipson, S, Bears. Age: 31.
    Tashaun Gipson did a good job replacing the departed Adrian Amos last year. He was solid in all regards. The only downside is his age (31).

  11. Jaquiski Tartt, S, 49ers. Age: 29.
    Re-signed with 49ers (1 year)

    Jaquiski Tartt is a quality, well-rounded safety. He played just seven games in 2020.

  12. Duron Harmon, S, Lions. Age: 30.
    Signed with Falcons

    Patriot players going elsewhere don’t always succeed. Duron Harmon did, performing well in all regards for the Lions.



  13. Xavier Woods, S, Cowboys. Age: 26.
    Signed with Vikings (1 year, $2.25 million)

    Xavier Woods was a decent starting safety for the Cowboys last year, covering well but struggling with some missed tackles. He’s only 26, so there’s room for improvement.

  14. Rayshawn Jenkins, S, Chargers. Age: 27.
    Signed with Jaguars (4 years)

    Rayshawn Jenkins has made some nice improvements to his game. He missed some tackles in 2020, but he covered very well.

  15. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Titans. Age: 30.
    Kenny Vaccaro was once a solid safety, but he has declined in recent years. Now 30, Vaccaro figures to get worse in the near future.

  16. Karl Joseph, S, Raiders. Age: 27.
    Time is running out for Karl Joseph to prove his worth as a first-round pick. He’s played well at times in his career, but wasn’t very good in 2020, thanks to injuries.

  17. Jalen Mills, S/CB, Eagles. Age: 27.
    Signed with Patriots (4 years, $24 million)

    Jalen Mills did a good job of transitioning from cornerback to safety. He performed well in every regard at his new position.

  18. Damontae Kazee, S, Falcons. Age: 28.
    Signed with Cowboys (1 year)

    Damontae Kazee logged 10 interceptions in the two years leading into 2020, but played just four games this past season because of a torn Achilles.

  19. Erik Harris, S, Raiders. Age: 31.
    Signed with Falcons

    Erik Harris isn’t a great player by any means, but he’s a very versatile defensive back who can play in the slot if needed.

  20. Chris Banjo, S, Cardinals. Age: 31.
    Re-signed with Cardinals (1 year)

    Usually just a core special-teamer, Chris Banjo stepped up and played safety well. However, he’s 31 now, so it’s unlikely he’ll play well on defense much longer.

  21. Ricardo Allen, S, Falcons. Age: 29.
    Signed with Bengals (1 year)

    Ricardo Allen is a capable starting safety who can play at cornerback as well. However, he’s injury-prone; he has missed 17 games in the past three years.

  22. Bobby McCain, S, Dolphins. Age: 28.
    Signed with Redskins

    Bobby McCain is a sub-par starter who was released because he was due nearly $6 million in 2020. He was one of Miami’s team captains last year.

  23. Tre Boston, S, Panthers. Age: 29.
    Tre Boston played well in coverage in 2019, but he saw his play fall off a cliff this past season. He could rebound, but there’s also a chance that this regression is permanent.




  24. Will Parks, S, Broncos. Age: 27. — Signed with Chiefs
  25. Bradley McDougald, S, Jets. Age: 30.
  26. Josh Jones, S, Jaguars. Age: 26.
  27. Sean Davis, S, Steelers. Age: 27. — Signed with Colts (1 year)
  28. Delano Hill, S, Seahawks. Age: 25. — Signed with Panthers
  29. D.J. Swearinger, S, Saints. Age: 30.
  30. Andrew Sendejo, S, Browns. Age: 33.
  31. Tavon Wilson, S, Colts. Age: 31. — Signed with 49ers
  32. Michael Thomas, S, Texans. Age: 31.
  33. Jahleel Addae, S, Chargers. Age: 31.
  34. DeAndre Houston-Carson, S, Bears. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Bears
  35. Damarious Randall, S, Seahawks. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Seahawks
  36. Sharrod Neasman, S, Falcons. Age: 29.
  37. Terrence Brooks, S, Patriots. Age: 29. — Signed with Texans (1 year, $2 million)
  38. Johnson Bademosi, S, Saints. Age: 31.
  39. Shawn Williams, S, Cardinals. Age: 30.
  40. Matthias Farley, S, Jets. Age: 29.
  41. Daniel Sorensen, S, Chiefs. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Chiefs
  42. Dean Marlowe, S, Bills. Age: 29.
  43. Tedric Thompson, S, Browns. Age: 26.
  44. Deon Bush, S, Bears. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Bears (1 year)
  45. George Iloka, S, Vikings. Age: 31.
  46. Cody Davis, S, Patriots. Age: 32. — Re-signed with Patriots (2 years)
  47. Miles Killebrew, S, Lions. Age: 28. — Signed with Steelers
  48. Jordan Richards, S, Ravens. Age: 28.
  49. Adrian Colbert, S, Giants. Age: 27.
  50. Andrew Adams, S, Buccaneers. Age: 28. — Signed with Eagles
  51. Nate Ebner, S, Giants. Age: 32. — Re-signed with Giants
  52. Kavon Frazier, S, Dolphins. Age: 27.
  53. Anthony Levine, S, Ravens. Age: 34. — Re-signed with Ravens
  54. Charles Washington, S, Cardinals. Age: 28.
  55. Rudy Ford, S, Eagles. Age: 25. — Signed with Jaguars
  56. Brandon Wilson, S, Bengals. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Bengals
  57. Jordan Dangerfield, S, Steelers. Age: 30.




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