AFC West positional rankings: Which team has the best safeties?
By Grant Tuttle
Our series breaking down the AFC West by positional rankings continues with the division’s strong talent at both safety positions. Who comes out on top?
It’s time for our latest installment of the series breaking down the AFC West by positions to see which teams have the most talent from top to bottom. As we get to safety, I will say that this is one of the most interesting spots on AFC West rosters. There are several new additions to teams and, of course, Eric Berry will be back. Again, the AFC West is pretty talented.
Reminder: This post assumes that everyone is healthy and can play. Now let’s get on with the countdown.
Free Safety
1. Darian Stewart, Denver Broncos
Darian Stewart is a rangy player with some explosiveness. He shows pretty good closing speed and plays well against the deep ball. Despite the secondary losing Aqib Talib, it is still very talented. Stewart also holds Patrick Mahomes’ first career interception.
2016-2017:
63 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Prediction:
61 tackles, 7 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 sack, 0 forced fumbles
2. Jahleel Addae, Los Angeles Chargers
One of my least favorite players in the league is Jahleel Addae. With the addition of Derwin James, the Chargers will move Addae to the Free Safety position. He can hit hard (and illegally) and shows good skill against bigger receivers because he is a very physical player.
2016-2017:
96 Tackles, 7 pass breakups, 0 interceptions, 0.5 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Prediction:
66 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 1 interception, 0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
3. Reggie Nelson, Oakland Raiders
The Raiders had the worst secondary in football last season. Reggie Nelson struggled just as much as anyone. However, the Raiders decided to keep him and cut David Amerson who later signed with the Chiefs. Nelson must show improvement next season in a new defensive scheme. Oakland will need good performances out of their secondary to avoid being among the worst again. Nelson is a key part of that.
2016-2017:
89 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 1 interception, 0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Prediction:
71 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 0.5 sack, 1 forced fumble
4. Eric Murray, Kansas City Chiefs
Last season the Chiefs struggled in the middle of the field. There is no doubt that much of that can be attributed to Eric Berry’s season-ending injury. However, Eric Murray did not step-up the way that many had hoped. Now, the Chiefs have added safeties this off-season and Murray may lose his spot on the depth chart. Murray must improve to remain a starter on this team.
2016-2017: (14 games)
36 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 0 interceptions, 1 sack, 0 forced fumbles
Prediction:
41 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 1 interception, 0 sacks, 1 forced fumble.
Strong Safety
1. Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs
With Kam Chancellor’s departure from the league, Eric Berry may be the best Safety in the NFL. With great instincts and ball skills, he hopes to bounce back and make the Chiefs secondary more effective this year. He is capable against big targets and against the run. A healthy Eric Berry makes the entirety of a defense better.
2016-2017: (1 game)
7 tackles, 0 pass breakups, 0 interceptions, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Prediction:
78 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 5 interceptions, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
2. Su’a Cravens, Denver Broncos
This may be debatable, but I like Cravens as the second best Strong Safety in the AFC West. He has not gotten the amount of playing time that he believed that he should and that is why he is in Denver. I agree. He should have played more. He is an incredible athlete that can instantly make a defensive backfield more dangerous.
2016-2017: (11 games)
34 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 1 interception, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Prediction:
73 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
3. Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
Derwin James fell in the 2018 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the rest of the AFC West, he fell into the lap of the Los Angeles Chargers. James is explosive and I rated him among the top players of this draft. While he may experience some hiccups in his rookie year, I fully expect Derwin James to be a huge asset to the team.
2016-2017:
N/A (Rookie)
Prediction:
71 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 0.5 sack, 1 forced fumble
4. Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders
Joseph was a serviceable player for the Oakland Raiders last season. However, everyone struggled at times. I believe that Joseph may have a good year this season. Unfortunately for the Raiders, I cannot see Joseph playing at the same level as the other Strong Safeties.
2016-2017: (15 games)
79 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 1 interception, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
Prediction:
68 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 1 interception, 0.5 sack, 2 forced fumbles
Check out the complete AFC West positional rankings series: