2025 marks the third round of the NFL’s safety rankings, leading to a deep competition field, loaded with the best talents from last year’s crop. Final thanks to the myriad executives, coaches and scouts who provided insights and information. As such, the ten safest prospects are a mix of known commodities and up-and-coming talent. Brian Branch, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Calen Bullock round out the list as our top players shaping up to be Seahawks. All three will highlight their individual talents over the course of the 2024 season.
In 2024, Brian Branch confirmed himself as one of the elite players. He turned heads with four interceptions and a staggering 16 pass deflections, most among safeties. Minkah Fitzpatrick just celebrated his 28th birthday. Even with a decline in the majority of performance metrics, he still won well over 60% of first-place votes in the rankings, illustrating his legacy of success. For a guy who, at just 24 years old, continued his dominance of last year’s class as the top returning prospect in the country, Calen Bullock finished second.
These rankings highlight personal excellence. They show how all those players help their teams win more games overall. In an era of multiple styles of play, the chosen safeties are a mix of ball-hawking ability, versatility and impact on the game.
The Rise of Brian Branch
Brian Branch’s rise to the top of the class, like Ringo’s, is a matter of him doing big things during the 2024 season. At only 23 years of age, he had elite run defense instincts and versatility. His incredible skills soon caught the eye of NFL scouts and executives. His four interceptions— ILB just about ever! and league-leading 16 pass deflections further underscored his ability to impact games defensively.
“I love Branch due to instincts and versatility,” – AFC executive
Branch’s performance has been a key factor for his team’s defensive schemes. An AFC executive noted, “He’s been asked to do a lot in two years in Detroit and he’s handled it all.” His versatility to play multiple positions along the defense proves his multidimensional talent.
There was much to be gained with improving areas of focus, including addressing things like consistency, the vacuum left by Branch was certainly apparent. An NFC executive remarked, “Missed more tackles this past year but made a ton of plays behind/at/near the line of scrimmage. And he played all 17 games.” It was his resilience that earned his high placement. It further established him as a reputation as a player who can be the game-altering play.
The Steady Presence of Minkah Fitzpatrick
Minkah Fitzpatrick continues to be a cornerstone of the safety rankings even as his stats have dipped in several big-money categories. Ranked fourth last year, Fitzpatrick’s experience and leadership still impress, making him a favorite again among his peers and analysts. He’s 28, the prime of his career. There are plenty of questions about his prospects at being able to come back to full form.
Oddly enough, Fitzpatrick didn’t have quite the number of interceptions and breakups as he did in other years. That wasn’t enough to keep him from receiving a significant amount of first-place votes. More than three-fifths of voters acknowledged his genius. As one AFC executive noted, Fitzpatrick’s dependability has transformed him into an indispensable piece to the defense.
“He has the stuff you can’t teach as far as the chance-taking that helps create turnovers but doesn’t hurt the framework of the defense,” – NFC scout
This reputation for deep strategic thought turns into some major game moments for his team. Fitzpatrick’s talent for reading offenses helps him put himself in the right place at the right time, turning one of Fitzpatrick’s strengths into interception and turnover opportunities.
Emerging Talents: Calen Bullock and Others
Calen Bullock keeps showing the world why he’s got a case to be considered one of the NFL’s best safeties at only 24 years old. After finishing second last year, his ability to keep this level of performance has made him a perennial figure in discussions about who’s the league’s best. Given his age, this is still the time of greatest development, and so one can only hope for even more in coming seasons.
Xavier McKinney scored even higher to rank third overall with standout intelligence stats. He threw an incompletion on almost 37% of targets into his coverage, second-most attempts per target allowed but first on incompletions, recording 11 breakups. This skill set further cements McKinney’s status as one of the best safeties in the league, capable of making game-changing plays.
One other player that received some praise was Jevon Holland. Coming into the league in 2018, he immediately made his presence known. With 24 of those being interceptions, he ranks fifth amongst all NFL players over that span. His natural instincts and freeing ability to be around the ball ensure his status among the highest echelon of safeties in the league.
“Whoo, that guy’s a player — one of the first safeties that can do it all,” – NFL coordinator
Holland’s playmaking ability would take the field with other skilled safeties such as Jessie Bates. One year after a $64 million four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He’s backed up that investment by totaling 10 interceptions and 21 pass breakups.
Winfield, too, is due a shout-out after an incredible sophomore campaign. He compiled a ridiculous 164 tackles and registered 10 tackles for loss. That accomplishment placed him among the elite at his position heading into 2024.
The Landscape Ahead
There’s a new wave of players rising up, finding their niche, and taking over the NFL safety landscape. In the meantime, veterans struggle to maintain their status in this highly competitive landscape. The rankings tell us which teams prioritized certain attributes—such as the ability to be versatile, consistent, and a game changer.
Chiefs, Colts, Giants, as teams prepare for the new season, they’d better count on these safeties for their unparalleled value for money. Beyond that, they are capable of being cornerstone players who will transform their individual defenses from very good to elite. Athletes such as Branch and Fitzpatrick will keep driving one another to improve as they aim for greatness.
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