2024 NFL Free Agents: Safety

Antoine Winfield is one of the top safeties in the NFL. At just 26, he could continue to improve.

Justin Simmons has been one of the better safeties in the NFL over the past several seasons. He’s coming off a bit of a down year, but still should be able to perform on a high level for the next season or two.

Xavier McKinney was one of the better safeties in the NFL last year, but he has a long history of injuries.

DeShon Elliott wasn’t as good in coverage last year as he usually is, but he was a force in run support.

Darnell Savage struggled heading into 2023, but had a tremendous season, finally living up to his athletic ability.

Alohi Gilman was one of the most improved defensive players in the NFL last year. He went from being an average backup to an excellent starter in the Chargers secondary.

It’s hard to believe that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is only 26. Gardner-Johnson is excellent in coverage and can play numerous positions in the secondary, but he has a poor injury history.

Jordan Poyer is in his mid-30s, but he’s still a very capable safety. He could regress soon, but we saw no evidence of that last year.

Jordan Whitehead is a well-rounded safety who is coming off a bit of a down year. At 27, however, he could easily rebound.

Geno Stone misses some tackles, but is terrific in coverage. He’s only 25, so he should continue to improve.

Kamren Curl was drafted in the seventh round a few years ago, but has become a talented, well-rounded starting safety in the NFL.

Julian Blackmon just had his best year in coverage this past season.

Jordan Fuller has done a solid job since being drafted in the sixth round, especially when it comes to run support.

Kyle Dugger is coming off a bit of a down year, but he’s usually a solid, well-rounded safety.

Tashaun Gipson was excellent in both coverage and run support last year, but he turns 34 this offseason.

Micah Hyde isn’t quite the same, dominant safety he once was, but he’s still a quality starter.

Brandon Jones did a solid job last year as a well-rounded safety.

John Johnson has seen a steady decline in effectiveness throughout his career, but he’s still a passable starting safety.

Jayron Kearse has played well in the past, but struggled in coverage this past season.

Taylor Rapp took a backup role with the Bills after being a solid starter for the Rams. He should be able to find a better job this offseason.

Kevin Byard was once one of the top safeties in the NFL. He has regressed now that he’s in his 30s, but he can still play at a decent level.

Marcus Maye was once a star with the Jets, but he has struggled ever since leaving New York. He was a liability for the Saints in 2023. There’s a chance he could rebound next year.

Quandre Diggs had been an excellent safety for many years, but his play declined last year. There’s a chance Diggs could rebound, but he’s also 31, so this regression might be permanent.

Jamal Adams tends to make big plays sometimes, but he can also be a big liability in coverage, making him an overrated player.

Rayshawn Jenkins signed a big contract with the Jaguars after playing well for the Chargers. He has mostly been a flop. He’s now 30, so time is running out for him to rebound.

Patrick Peterson was forced into switching to safety late in the year. That may have to be a permanent move, based on how he performed last year.