2026 NFL Free Agents: Safety

Ar’Darius Washington was elite in coverage in 2024, but missed most of last year with an injury.

Bryan Cook is an excellent safety. He’s coming off the best season of his career, and he’s only 26.

Reed Blankeship had two excellent years for the Eagles entering 2025, but is coming off an unusually down season.

Jaylinn Hawkins is a former journeyman, but he has found a home in New England. He was excellent in 2025, particularly in coverage.

Jaquan Brisker missed plenty of action in 2024, but was mostly healthy this past season. He had a solid, but not great year.

Alohi Gilman has been terrific in coverage in recent years.

Julian Blackmon was expected to be a big-time player in the Saints’ secondary, but he missed all but the first week of the season with a torn labrum.

Jalen Thompson is a good, but not great safety with no weaknesses.

Kamren Curl is a dominant run-defending safety who can play effectively in coverage as well.

Andre Cisco is coming off a down year and missed the second half of the season with an injury.

Kevin Byard is no longer the excellent safety he once was, but he’s coming off a solid year. At 33, Byard could continue to decline.

Jabrill Peppers had some excellent seasons for the Patriots before joining the Steelers in 2025. He had an injury-ravaged year.

Nick Cross is an in-the-box safety who thrives against the run, but struggles versus the pass. At 25, however, there’s some room for growth.

Coby Bryant has enjoyed two solid seasons as a starting safety with no weaknesses.

Dane Belton has improved each year and had some nice starts at the end of the year.

Donovan Wilson had been a solid safety for the Cowboys for years, but perhaps age is catching up to him because he’s coming off his worst year.

Jordan Poyer isn’t nearly the same player he once was, but he did a fine job taking over for Taylor Rapp last season.

Ifeatu Melifonwu flashed some major potential in 2023, but hasn’t lived up to it, partly because of injuries.

Oft injured, Tony Adams is constantly injured, but covers well when healthy.

Geno Stone had a great 2023 season with the Ravens, but never matched that with the Bengals.

Chuck Clark is a solid in-the-box safety who defends the run well, but gets lost in coverage.

Nick Scott is coming off the best year of his career, but is starting to get up there in age.

Alontae Taylor is coming off his best season, but was still just a mediocre corner.

Jimmie Ward is a talented safety, but injuries and off-the-field issues have derailed his career.

Andrew Wingard was a liability in coverage, but was able to thrive in run support.