With a growing list of elite quarterbacks in today’s NFL, teams around the league will be looking to upgrade their secondary this offseason in hopes of sustaining against strong pass defenses. But who will be the best free agent safeties available on the open market? Who are the next-best free agents at the position if Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr. gets franchise-tagged?
2024 Top Free Agent Safeties
The following ranking is from Pro Football Network’s NFL analyst Dallas Robinson.
1) Antoine Winfield Jr.
2) Xavier McKinney
3) Kamren Curl
4) Kyle Dugger
5) Geno Stone
6) Julian Blackmon
7) Jordan Whitehead
8) Jordan Fuller
9) Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
10) Alohi Gilman
Best Safeties Available After Antoine Winfield Jr. Include Xavier McKinney, Kamren Curl, and Kyle Dugger
Having won a Super Bowl in 2020 playing alongside future Hall-of-Fame QB Tom Brady, Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr. has been the focal point of the Buccaneers’ defense.
The current highest-paid safety in the sport is Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers — making $19 million per season.
The two-week designating period for franchise and transition players began on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 20, and Winfield Jr. is a strong candidate to receive the franchise tag.
“I thought he was the best safety in the NFL this year,” former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison — who works as an NFL analyst for NBC — said recently. “Over 120 tackles, six sacks, and he led his team with three interceptions. Every week, I’m seeing him do something special on the football field.”
Though the Giants had a disappointing campaign — including losing QB Daniel Jones to a season-ending injury — Xavier McKinney believes a strong payday is coming his way after his strong performance in 2023.
“I’m the most complete safety out there, and it’s about time for some respect to that too. I definitely think I am the best safety in this league, and I’ll continue to prove that,” McKinney told reporters.
Aside from a losing campaign, the former University of Alabama standout is coming off a 2023 year in which he played every defensive snap, snagged three interceptions, forced a fumble, and created 116 tackles.
“I’m a top safety,’’ McKinney said.
“People try to act like I’m not, but you turn on the tape, man, and my tape is as good as any of them out there right now.
I feel like, even with that being said, I haven’t even touched the surface or the level of where I know I’m going to be. I’m one of the premier safeties in this league, and it’s time for that to be respected.”
Whether it’s by the Commanders or a different franchise, Kamren Curl will soon be paid too.
Performing exceptionally well throughout his rookie contract, Washington — another quarterback-needy organization — may reward Curl with an extension, but nothing is official as of right now.
With the New England Patriots beginning their first season in over 20 years without Bill Belichick on the sideline, what is next for Kyle Dugger?
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
After Devin McCourty announced his retirement from professional football in 2023, the Patriots counted on Dugger — a 2020 draft choice — to fill the shoes of the secondary in New England. Whether his future continues in New England, however, is uncertain at the moment.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!