Ranking NFL’s top 10 safeties for 2021: Justin Simmons, Tyrann Mathieu headline talented defensive backs

As we wait for the 2021 season to unofficially get under way with the start of camps, we here at CBS Sports are taking the temperature of every position in the league.

As for those on the outside looking in, there’s certainly a case to be made for some of them to squeak in, which shows how the margins between these stars are razor-thin.

However, the safety has only been able to play five games since that stellar rookie season, including zero in 2020 after suffering a torn meniscus last September.

Amos doesn’t pile up the interceptions, which oftentimes makes him somewhat underrated when speaking about the game’s top safeties, but make no mistake, he’s as solid as they come.

Being able to perform at that level despite breakdowns in front of him makes Harris — who has lined up as a box, slot and free safety — still one of the better players at his position as he enters Year 10.

New Orleans’ fifth-year safety continues to climb the ladder as one of the game’s best at his position and it likely won’t be long until he’s given an All-Pro and Pro Bowl nod.

According to PFF’s grading system, Maye slotted in as the fourth highest-graded safety for 2020. Maye was also not only able to carry the weight of Jamal Adams’ departure but proved that he can be a versatile weapon on his own, which is promising as he enters a 2021 season where he’ll likely play on the franchise tender.

He allowed a passer rating of 71.9 in 2020 and while his completion percentage when targeted was near 70% , Johnson allowed just 6.4 yards per completion and 4.4 yards per target, which were considerably improved from his previous two seasons.

According to Pro Football Reference’s metrics, Bates allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 54.3% of their passes, and the safety was credited for a passer rating of just 70.7 when targeted.

He injected an opportunistic edge to Pittsburgh’s defense when he was acquired from the Dolphins in 2019 and that continued into 2020 where he started all 16 games and hauled in four interceptions.

He’s a jack of all trades within Kansas City’s secondary and has been the face of that defense throughout this run of Super Bowl appearances, while also proving to be extremely clutch in those high-pressure moments.

Simmons not only tops this list as the NFL’s top safety, but his bank account reflects that as well after agreeing to an extension with the Broncos earlier this offseason that makes him the highest-paid player at the position.

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