Field Vision's Top 10 Safeties for 2024
Our Top 10 Safeties based on Field Vision's Proprietary Havoc Rating
At Field Vision, we’ve developed a proprietary metric called Havoc Rating. A full explanation of the metric can be found on our blog as described by Field Vision CEO, Scott Bouska. It considers the impact created by a player on individual defensive plays based on 5 years of NFL data. It’s a comprehensive way to look at player performance based on statistical data, but also hidden factors that affect outcomes on every play.
To kick off our 2024 rankings series, we take a look at Safeties. As a position that requires a lot of versatility, Havoc’s ability to rank players in run defense, pass rush, zone coverage, and man coverage allows for a deeper dive into the position and provides insights into how teams will use these players. Without further ado, the top 10 Havoc safeties for 2024:
Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers (100)
Antoine Winfield Jr. comes in as our top Safety for the 2024 season. Winfield had the best season of his career in 2023 making first team all pro and finishing 6th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Winfield is top 10 in our 2024 Havoc projections in Pass rush, run defense and zone coverage among safeties. He recorded 122 tackles with 6 sacks and 3 interceptions while also forcing 6 fumbles for the surprise playoff Buccaneers a year ago.
Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons (99.4)
Jessie Bates III paid off in a big way for the Falcons after coming over from Cincinnati in free agency a year ago. In 2023, his best Havoc season to date, he had 132 tackles and 6 interceptions providing value all over the field. He is our number 1 overall coverage safety, ranking in the top 11 in both zone and man coverage, while also producing top 5 numbers against the run. New head coach, Raheem Morris, will find ways to use Bates’ versatility all over the field.
Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens (98.7)
Kyle Hamilton produced in a big way for the Ravens in his second season with 81 tackles and 4 interceptions. He projects as a top 10 coverage safety with top 20 scores in both zone and man coverage. He is also Field Vision’s number 1 pass rush safety so he can be used in multiple ways in the Raven’s attack. New Ravens’ defensive coordinator Zach Orr will want to continue to find ways to deploy Hamilton who can line up at both strong and free safety.
Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers (98.1)
Derwin James jr. recorded 125 tackles last season including 5 tackles for loss, but it was his worst Havoc season in the last 5 years excluding 2020, which he missed due to injury. James is above average in coverage, but he especially excels in supplemental pass rush and run defense, ranking top 10 among safeties in both. The new look Chargers will be looking to get more physical on both sides of the ball and James’ style of play will fit nicely with that plan.
Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears (97.5)
Jaquan Brisker has recorded over 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons in Chicago while also forcing 3 fumbles and recording 5 sacks. Brisker ranks 4th among safeties in run defense and 6th in pass rush adding a versatile element to the Bears defense that showed marked improvement as the season progressed last year. The defense formerly known as the Monsters of the Midway will look to provide a safety blanket for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams jr. as he gets his sea legs.
Jalen Thompson, Arizona Cardinals (96.8)
The Arizona Cardinals quietly have one the best safety duos in the league with Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker, who narrowly missed our top 10. Thompson ranks 2nd in our overall coverage score excelling in both man (top 20) and zone (top 10) coverage. He had 4 interceptions last season and forced a fumble while also recording 78 tackles and 5 tackles for loss. His ability to play in the slot makes him an even more versatile threat. Thompson will be a key piece for an Arizona defense that needs to improve if the Cardinals are going to get out of the top 5 of the draft.
Jordan Poyer, Miami Dolphins (96.2)
Jordan Poyer signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent this off season after spending the last 7 seasons with the Bills. Poyer recorded 100 tackles for the Bills last season. He’s our 8th overall coverage safety and 3rd best zone safety in our 2024 Havoc ratings. Poyer’s presence will add more veteran leadership to a Dolphins secondary who already has a veteran corner in Jalen Ramsey and added veteran Kendall Fuller who cracked our top 10 corner rankings releasing tomorrow.
Jordan Whitehead, New York Jets (95.6)
Jordan Whitehead is the first of 3 members of the Jets secondary that will crack our top 10 positional Havoc rankings. Whitehead showed versatility last season recording 4 interceptions while also being involved in 97 tackles. He is the 7th best Havoc safety against the run while also clocking into the top 10 in zone coverage defense. The Jets secondary will be loaded, but they need to be with the likes of the Dolphins and Bills passing attacks in their division.
Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers (94.9)
Xavier McKinney signed a 4-year deal to join the Green Bay packers this off season coming off a stellar season for the Giants where he recorded 116 tackles and 3 interceptions while also defending 11 passes. McKinney is Havoc’s 4th best man coverage safety in the league. This could come in handy for Green Bay with the division rival Lions and Vikings boasting stalwart tight ends in Sam LaPorta and T.J. Hockenson respectively.
Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings (94.3)
Harrison Smith is entering his 13th season in the NFL, all with Minnesota, and he’s still producing at a high level. Smith recorded 93 tackles and forced 3 fumbles in 2023. He ranks 11th in both coverage and pass rush Havoc in our 2024 projections. He is also balanced in coverage, ranking in the top 20 in both Man and Zone disciplines. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores will continue to lean on Smith for leadership in the Vikings secondary.
Just missed the cut: Grant Delpit, Budda Baker, Tyrann Mathieu, Rashawn Jenkins, Talanoa Hufanga
Follow us @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, and on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.
