With so many defensive coordinators aiming to confuse offenses through deception and disguise, the safety position has become the Queen on a lot of teams’ chess boards. All four teams that reached the conference championship round this past season featured a Pro Bowl safety (Cardinals – Adrian Wilson, Eagles – Brian Dawkins, Steelers – Troy Polamalu, Ravens – Ed Reed).
The free safety and strong safety have become interchangeable in more schemes, which is why we’ll blend them together in this list. An elite safety must do two things: 1. be a consistent, stable stopper (in other words, not get caught out of position) and 2. make big plays. Here are the Top 7 safeties in the NFL today.
7. Quintin Mikell, Eagles
The reason Philly felt okay letting future Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins go.
6. Nick Collins, Packers
Has gotten better in each of his first four seasons. Seven picks sent him to Hawaii last year.
5. Kerry Rhodes, Jets
Versatility and leadership make him critical to New York’s secondary.
4. Adrian Wilson, Cardinals
The NFC’s most effective DB near the line of scrimmage.
3. Ed Reed, Ravens
Arguably the best ball hawk in NFL history. A bit shaky as a tackler, though.
2. Bob Sanders, Colts
Pretty simple: the Colts D is good with him and mediocre without him.
1. Troy Polamalu, Steelers
A feared run-defender who also had seven interceptions in his second Super Bowl season.
There are those who believe the cornerback is the third most important position in football (1. quarterback, 2. left tackle). That’s debatable; a lot depends on the type of scheme. The Raiders, for instance, play a vast amount of man coverage and therefore place a premium on shutdown corners (hence the $45.3 million they’re paying Nnamdi Asomugha over three years). But the Ravens, on the other hand, can survive with average corners, thanks to their unique front seven packages.
This, obviously, makes it tough to rank corners. But then again, it’s tough to rank any position. So let’s just take a stab at it. Based primarily on breaking down last year’s film, here are the Top 7 Cornerbacks in the NFL right now.
7. Terence Newman, Cowboys
Struggled in 2008, but one of the few corners in football who can change the face of his defense simply by being on the field.
6. Antoine Winfield, Vikings
Plays the run like a fourth linebacker, and has a knack for showing up in big moments.
5. Asante Samuel, Eagles
Perhaps the most dangerous playmaking corner in football.
4. Cortland Finnegan, Titans
Defends the deep ball remarkably well for someone who is so physical near the line of scrimmage. Probably the best run-defending CB in the AFC.
3. Charles Woodson, Packers
Have we ever seen a cover artist age this well? Premium ball skills tend to overshadow the purity of his lockdown abilities.
2. Champ Bailey, Broncos
When healthy, there isn’t a thing he can’t do.
1. Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders
Rarely gets challenged despite playing in a man-heavy defense that features sub-par safeties and an impotent pass-rush.
Also considered: Darrelle Revis, Jets; Corey Webster, Giants; Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cardinals
By Andy Benoit
www.NFLTouchdown.com
Andy@NFLTouchdown.com
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