- Kyle Hamilton comes in No. 1: The Ravens star has been the league's highest-graded player at the position since his debut four years ago.
- The Rams wield three great players: Kamren Kinchens and Kamren Curl both sit inside the top 12, while Quentin Lake is also an underappreciated asset.
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After cycling through every position on the field, PFF’s individual player rankings have now reached the final defensive spot: Safety.
Game-changing safeties make their presence felt in a variety of ways, from ball-hawking coverage to surging run-defense to physically imposing tackles. The players near the top of the list below integrate all three, often from versatile alignments.
1. Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
Since Hamilton was picked 14th overall in 2022, all he’s done is star in Baltimore. His 92.6 overall PFF grade is the league’s highest at the position, producing at least an 86.3 grade in all four years. Whether playing in center field, the box or slot, Hamilton has dominated no matter the assignment with his incredible instincts, closing speed and length.
2. Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
James became the highest-paid safety in league history this offseason, and for good reason. He’s earned at least a 77.5 overall PFF grade in seven of his eight pro seasons, a remarkable feat given the position’s inconsistency and changing responsibilities. James has fully bounced back from a poor 2023, posting the fifth-best overall grade among his counterparts over the last two seasons. The four-time All-Pro is readily stamping his legacy as one of the best of the era.
3. Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers
Paying safeties big money doesn’t always work out, but the Packers are sure happy they did so with McKinney. Since 2023, his 90.9 overall PFF grade trails just Hamilton, with his 94.9 PFF coverage grade the best in the league. McKinney actually added a new dimension to his game last season with a career-best 82.9 PFF run-defense grade, missing only 3.5% of his tackle attempts on the ground — the second-lowest figure in 2025.
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick, New York Jets
After a dominant stretch in Pittsburgh that trailed off, Fitzpatrick returned to Miami and produced a much-needed rebound season. Fitzpatrick’s 81.9 overall PFF grade was the fifth-highest among qualifiers, and he was one of four safeties with a 78.0-plus PFF coverage and run-defense mark. Now on the Jets, the 29-year-old chess piece will look to keep pace on a defense with improved talent.
5. Brian Branch, Detroit Lions
Branch falling to the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft still makes little sense, especially with how he’s fared as a pro. Since debuting, Branch has been the second-most valuable safety by PFF Wins Above Replacement, netting no worse than a 77.6 overall PFF grade every campaign. Although an Achilles tear cut his 2025 season short, Branch was dominant with 82.6-plus marks in run-defense, tackling and pass-rushing. The star will help lift a Lions defense aiming to get back to full strength.
6. Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Following an underwhelming 2024 campaign, Winfield responded nicely with a 74.4 overall PFF grade last season. His 4.2% missed tackle rate was the second-lowest among qualified safeties, and his 74.3 PFF coverage grade placed in the 92nd percentile. The second-most valuable safety by WAR since he was drafted in 2020, Winfield remains a weapon for Todd Bowles in Tampa Bay.
7. Jalen Pitre, Houston Texans
Pitre has continued to develop over his four years in Houston, and he reached his zenith in 2025 with an 83.6 overall PFF grade — ranking third among qualified safeties. Pitre has operated best in the slot, where his 68.9 passer rating allowed was the third-best among safeties with at least 100 such coverage snaps. He also regularly brings a presence in the run game with 79.5-plus PFF run-defense grades in each of the last two years. The future is bright for the hard-hitting 27-year-old on arguably the sport’s best defense.
8. Kevin Byard, New England Patriots
Even as he nears age 33, Byard has remained a very strong player at a position where many crater with age. Byard has earned at least a 72.8 overall PFF grade in every year since 2021, an especially impressive achievement considering that’s come with three separate teams. Originally known for his coverage prowess, Byard has grown substantially in run defense, tying Branch for the best PFF run-defense grade since 2023 (91.2). The fourth-most valuable safety by WAR since 2020, Byard now reunites with head coach Mike Vrabel in New England as he looks to form a lockdown secondary possessing tons of other talent.
9. Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons
Bates has enjoyed a remarkable career, laying claim to three 80.0-plus-graded seasons since 2020 to place as the fifth-most valuable safety in the last six seasons. The only reason for concern is that his grade fell from 80.2 in 2024 to 64.5 in 2025, his lowest since 2019. Bates was a bit uncharacteristic in coverage with a career-worst 100.6 passer rating allowed, but a positive was his personal-best 6.6% missed tackle rate. Bates still carries a reputation as one of the sport’s best ballhawks with 29 career interceptions, but he’ll need to get back on track in 2026.
10. Kamren Kinchens, Los Angeles Rams
Despite being a third-round pick in 2024, Kinchens has blossomed into one of the better players at his position. Over the last two years, his 79.4 overall PFF grade places seventh, and his 81.9 PFF coverage grade was the fourth-best among qualifiers in 2025. The third-year pro has All-Pro potential as he helps spearhead an improved Los Angeles secondary.
11. Bryan Cook, Cincinnati Bengals
After three mediocre seasons in Kansas City, Cook broke out in earnest last year with an 83.3 overall PFF grade. His 83.0 PFF coverage grade was the third-highest at the position, and he also slotted 12th in PFF run-defense grade (79.7) while missing only 5.7% of his tackle attempts. Now on the Bengals, Cook looks to revamp a Cincinnati defense that desperately seeks more playmaking in the second and third levels.
12. Kamren Curl, Los Angeles Rams
Curl also flourished during the Rams’ spectacular 2025 season, posting a 77.8 overall PFF grade — his second 77.5-plus grade in the last four years. Curl’s 87.9 PFF run-defense grade was the second-best among safeties, and his 8.3% missed tackle rate was well above average. After signing an extension in Los Angeles, Curl will remain part of one of the NFL’s best secondaries next to his running mate Kinchens.
13. Antonio Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Johnson did a total about-face in 2025, going from one of the NFL’s worst to best safeties by overall PFF grade. Indeed, his 86.6 overall PFF grade was the highest among anyone at the position with 700 or more snaps. Johnson was particularly dynamic in coverage, amassing an 87.6 PFF coverage mark and allowing only a 53.4 passer rating on targets in his direction. The key for Johnson will be consistency as he enters his fourth season in pursuit of a lucrative extension.
14. Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks
Although Emmanwori wasn’t a regular contributor for Seattle until Week 5, he burst onto the scene almost as fast as his 40-yard dash time. From that point until the Super Bowl, his 73.5 overall PFF grade was the 10th-best among qualified safeties, including sitting seventh in PFF coverage grade (73.9). There’s no denying Emmanwori’s game-bending potential for the defending champs given his freakish skills as a hybrid defender, but slightly more consistency could help given that Emmanwori fell below a 61.0 overall grade in eight of his 17 rookie contests.
15. Talanoa Hufanga, Denver Broncos
After being constrained by injuries the prior two seasons, Hufanga enjoyed a fruitful first campaign in Denver with a 70.9 overall PFF grade over a career-high 1,225 snaps. The second-team All-Pro was greatly impactful in coverage with a 24% forced incompletion rate — tied for second among safeties — and his 76.3 PFF run-defense grade sat in the 71st percentile. The 14th-most valuable safety by WAR since 2022, Hufanga is a quality player who just has to stay on the field more.
16. Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions
Joseph’s 2024 campaign was an unforgettable one, reaching a 90.7 overall PFF grade while combining for 21 interceptions and pass deflections. However, he couldn’t replicate that last season, playing to a 59.5 overall mark across only six games due to a lingering knee injury. If Joseph can stay healthy in 2026, he very well might shoot right back up this list and rekindle an elite duo with Branch in Detroit.
17. Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks
Love has elevated himself in Seattle, placing fifth in overall PFF grade (86.5) over his three years with the Seahawks. Coverage has been a specific forte with 77.4-plus marks in each of those three campaigns. Love’s ranking is most explained by his substandard work against the run in 2025 (0.9% run stop rate) and playing only 634 total snaps due to a hamstring injury, but he’s a very valuable piece for the reigning champs and could be much higher in 2026 if he remains on the field this season.
18. Jaylinn Hawkins, Baltimore Ravens
Hawkins turned in an outstanding season in 2025, placing 12th among qualifiers on a career-high 74.9 overall PFF grade. The former Patriot was balanced, becoming one of six at the position with a 74.5-plus grade in both coverage and run defense. After heading to Baltimore this offseason, the 28-year-old is poised to create a high-upside trio with Hamilton and second-year talent Malaki Starks.
19. Coby Bryant, Chicago Bears
Over the last two seasons, Bryant has played 1,948 snaps, an impressive number — especially given his 74.6 overall PFF grade during that duration. Although Bryant has never exceeded a 72.8 single-season mark, he’s been solid in both coverage and run defense, sitting in at least the 62nd percentile in each since 2024. The new Chicago Bear will need to clean up his tackling a bit given his 18.7% miss rate tied for fifth-highest among qualifiers last season.
20. Jalen Thompson, Dallas Cowboys
In each of the last five years, Thompson has played at least 938 snaps with no lower than a 65.0 overall PFF grade, a worthy measure of his consistent play. While Thompson didn’t produce anything more than a 69.2 grade in either coverage or run defense last year, he’s missed only 12 tackles since 2024 and has displayed aptitude in both aforementioned categories in 2023 and 2024. The longtime Cardinal is now in Dallas and looks to turn around one of the league’s worst defenses working next to rookie phenom Caleb Downs.
21. Evan Williams, Green Bay Packers
Williams has continued to look like a steal since the Packers took him in the fourth round in 2024. Over his two pro seasons, Williams has churned out a 73.9 overall PFF grade, good for 16th among qualifiers. He was especially fearless against the run in 2025 with an 85.6 PFF run-defense grade and 4.8% run stop rate. The next step is getting more measured in coverage after allowing 71.8% of his targets to be hauled in and forcing only one incompletion.
22. Justin Reid, New Orleans Saints
Reid enjoyed a dynamite 2024 season with the Chiefs, earning a 78.2 overall PFF grade with 76.5-plus grades in all three major grading categories. His first year in New Orleans wasn’t quite on par, with his overall PFF grade falling to a 66.7. The main culprits were worse coverage and a higher missed tackle rate, although his run defense was still effective at a 77.0 mark. The Saints are relying on Reid to show his prior self this season, especially in one of the league’s youngest secondaries.
23. Jalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh Steelers
After being traded to the Steelers last summer, Ramsey’s first season was eventful, including moving from cornerback to safety midseason. From Week 9 onward, Ramsey’s 60.0 overall PFF grade slotted 46th out of 65 qualified safeties, although his 6.3% missed tackle rate and 75.9 PFF run-defense grade were above average. With Patrick Graham installing a new defensive system in 2026, Ramsey is expected to operate more in the slot, which could mirror more of his peak version with the Rams in 2021-22. The 31-year-old is a decorated player, not far removed from a great season and someone who still possesses strong instincts and downhill ability, but his skill in coverage is a bit of a concern.
24. Alohi Gilman, Kansas City Chiefs
Playing with both the Chargers and Ravens last year, Gilman produced a solid 70.3 overall PFF grade, headlined by a 72.0 PFF coverage mark. Since 2023, Gilman also ranks 16th among safeties in PFF WAR, although his grades over the last two years haven’t matched his elite 86.1 mark in 2023. Now in Kansas City, Gilman will bring his pass-first approach to a defense aiming to replace Cook and multiple key members of its defensive backfield.
25. Brandon Jones, Denver Broncos
Jones was quietly phenomenal in both 2023 and 2024 with 75.4-plus overall PFF grades, but that number slipped to a 64.3 last season. Jones’ coverage was the primary issue, with his PFF coverage grade declining to a 60.6 due to breaking up fewer passes and allowing over three more yards per reception on average. The 28-year-old could be due for a bounce-back season in a Denver secondary that returns its tremendous core.
26. Xavier Watts, Atlanta Falcons
Watts quickly turned into an impressive player as a rookie, securing a 72.2 overall PFF grade while operating on 1,093 snaps. The coverage maestro from Notre Dame kept it up as a pro with a 72.7 grade in that category, including snagging five interceptions and tying for 11th with a 17% forced incompletion rate. If Watts can pair better run-defense work with his efforts in coverage, he’ll rise this list in no time.
27. Craig Woodson, New England Patriots
A fellow mid-round pick last April, Woodson similarly made his mark for New England off the bat. His 72.2 overall PFF grade tied Watts, although it was more heavily skewed by his positional-best 89.7 PFF run-defense grade. If Woodson takes strides in coverage — where his underlying metrics show promise — then he and Byard should form a premier tandem for the Patriots in 2026.
28. Ronnie Hickman Jr., Cleveland Browns
Hickman has played just 1,827 snaps over his three-year career, but he’s looked good when on the field with a 75.7 overall PFF grade. Likewise, Hickman’s 78.7 PFF coverage grade is the ninth-best among qualifiers since 2023. Hickman’s status for 2026 and beyond is somewhat up in the air as he enters a contract season — and with the Browns nabbing second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — but the 24-year-old is a promising player who can unlock another level by getting more consistent against the run.
29. Camryn Bynum, Indianapolis Colts
One of the league’s most dazzling celebration artists, Bynum has reason to keep dancing. He’s earned at least a 70.0 overall PFF grade in two of the past three campaigns, and he’s remained durable by appearing on no fewer than 1,056 snaps in each of the last four seasons. Bynum’s 6% missed tackle rate was the eighth-lowest in his first year with the Colts, and his 67.7 PFF coverage grade placed in the 83rd percentile as well.
30. Quentin Lake, Los Angeles Rams
Lake can get overshadowed on a team full of stars, but he’s actually been responsible for the fourth-most WAR of any safety since 2023. Lake’s 83.6 PFF run-defense grade places 13th at the position over the last three years, but his 62.7 PFF coverage grade hasn’t been as stout. Also holding Lake back is the fact that he’s never exceeded a 71.7 overall single-season grade, but the former sixth-round pick remains a plus contributor in the slot for Sean McVay’s defense.
31. Calen Bullock, Houston Texans
Bullock has quickly anointed himself as a starter in Houston, appearing on 2,188 snaps over his two-year career. He showed nice development in his second season with an 85.6 PFF run-defense grade and by cutting his missed tackle rate in more than half, although his overall PFF grade was just a 69.4. While Bullock’s 50% catch rate and 35.4 snaps per reception were among the league’s best for safeties, his 14.8 yards per reception was the seventh-worst among qualifiers, and he only ranked in the 67th percentile in PFF coverage grade at free safety. If Bullock can avoid more big plays on a limited target share, he’ll grow even further.
32. Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
An eight-time Pro Bowler, Baker is a well-respected player — but one whose advanced statistics paint a more cloudy picture. Baker has sat below a 65.0 overall PFF grade in two of the past three seasons, and his coverage was especially liable last year. Indeed, Baker’s 35.7 PFF coverage grade was the third-lowest among qualifiers, giving up a 119.6 passer rating when targeted. Also worrisome for Baker was a career-high 17% missed tackle rate. The 30-year-old is still a formidable run defender, but his coverage acumen may not project well for the close of his career.
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