When you think of a strong safety you might think of a punisher. Someone who sits back in the secondary and when the ball is revealed he crashes through the ball carrier like a Mack truck. And while that is part of what a strong safety does, it's not quite all of it.
We've set out to find the best strong safeties in the NFL, based on how well they tackle, stop the run, cover deep and come up to take on blockers.
To find out who's best, we've determined what makes up a great strong safety and how well each 2011 starter represents those traits. The quest comes as part of the B/R NFL 1,000. The new series offers an in-depth look at every position in the NFL, breaking down players' skills in a way never before seen on the Internet.
B/R 1,000 rankings don't assess who had the best year, or even who has the most potential. Rather, players—in this case, strong safeties—are judged on their current skills and mechanics, based solely on film study of the 2011 NFL preseason and regular season.
After hours spent scouting every starter and potential starter, the top 32 strong safeties have been scored on 10 criteria (more on the criteria here). In the slides that follow, we'll explain each player's strengths and weaknesses as the final ranking is revealed.
Note: Some players lined up at both free and strong safety during the 2011 season. Players were ranked at the position they played most, according to game tracking done by our friends at ProFootballFocus.com.
32. Antrel Rolle, New York Giants
Good enough, but there is room for improvement. Doesn’t always attack the ball and can be slow to diagnose.
Can be easily re-routed by running backs. Doesn’t close well on the ball. Not a great open-field tackler.
Could improve awareness by not being looked off by the quarterback.
Close to being a bottom-barrel player in coverage. Rolle has to work on awareness and reaction time.
Based on opponents' completion percentage (not completions allowed), was among the worst in the NFL when passers targeted his player or zone.
A solid, reliable player.
31. Dawan Landry, Jacksonville Jaguars
Not great, and not horrible. Will make tackles in the run game but also misses too many and will be left hugging air at times.
Does everything you’d want at the position, but his success rate of getting to the quarterback isn’t good enough to warrant a higher grade.
Has average closing speed, and could benefit from better flexibility to quickly flip his hips and run.
Allows a fair amount of completions, but can be a good player in coverage. Much better sitting back in a zone than being asked to lock up one on one.
30. James Ihedigbo, New England Patriots
Good enough, but there is room for improvement. Doesn’t always attack the ball and can be slow to diagnose. Lack of agility and speed can be an issue.
A very good pass-rusher, would like to see a little more flexibility in his hips to turn the corner. An attacking blitzer.
Has average closing speed and could benefit from more agility in changing direction. Not a liability.
Has the tools to be a difference maker in coverage but could be better at staying with his man. Will lose concentration at times, resulting in completions.
29. Jordan Babineaux, Tennessee Titans
Will miss a few, and can struggle to chase at times, but is solid.
Is a player the team is comfortable blitzing, but needs to show better awareness and agility to change direction and attack the passer.
Is more likely to get there in time for the tackle, not the interception.
Will lose concentration at times. Can be a difference maker, but has also been exploited.
28. Mistral Raymond, Minnesota Vikings
Will attempt weak arm tackles on occasion, but often disappears and looks disinterested in run defense. Has to get better here to ever be a long-term option as a starter.
Has all the qualities of an athlete who can attack the line but needs to improve his tackling in the open field.
Has the instincts and tools in the open field to make plays on the ball consistently.
There’s a lot to like here. Could do better pivoting to run with would-be receivers, but that’s being incredibly picky.
27. Chris Crocker, Cincinnati Bengals
A good athlete. Stiff hips and heavy feet at times.
Doesn't appear to give his all in run defense, limiting his future as a starter in a run-heavy division.
A very good pass-rusher, would like to see a little more flexibility in his hips to turn the corner. An attacking blitzer. Needs to improve his tackling in the open field.
Shows good change-of-direction skills to adjust and make plays on the ball.
Close to perfect, Crocker would have a “10” if he was just a little better at staying with tight ends and backs in man coverage. His zone play is exceptional.
26. Sean Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
25. Laron Landry, New York Jets
A lock-down tackler who lives around the football. Has the speed and instincts to quickly attack the ball.
A very good pass-rusher, would like to see a little more flexibility in his hips to turn the corner. An attacking blitzer.
Does everything you’d want at the position, but his success rate of making plays on the ball could be higher. Is more likely to get there in time for the tackle, not the interception.
Allows a fair amount of completions, but can be a good player in coverage. Much better sitting back in a zone than being asked to lock up one on one.
24. Major Wright, Chicago Bears
Good enough, but there is room for improvement. Doesn’t always attack the ball and can be slow to diagnose.
Does a great job closing on the ball. Has the quickness, strength and fire to attack the quarterback.
Does everything you’d want at the position, but his success rate of making plays on the ball could be higher.
Grades out above average in coverage, but runs hot and cold.
23. Charles Godfrey, Carolina Panthers
A good inside/out tackler who has the range and speed to find the ball and attack at an angle. Will miss a few, and can struggle to chase at times, but is very solid.
A solid blitzer when asked to go, but doesn't always demonstrate an ability to get to the passer.
Quicker hips would improve his score.
Can be picked on by good quarterbacks. Is easy to look off and get running away from the target.
22. Chris Harris, Detroit Lions
A solid run defender, but will miss tackles you expect a player of his caliber to make. Can be a factor, but isn’t consistent.
What we consider a “reject” grade at the position. Not a factor in blitz packages.
Shows very good range. Has no trouble extending 10 yards once the play is read to break up a pass or shut down the run.
Close to perfect, Harris would have a “10” if he was just a little better at staying with tight ends and backs in man coverage. His zone play is exceptional.
21. T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns
Can be dominant, but there is room for improvement. Doesn’t always attack the ball and can be slow to diagnose.
Would like to see more aggression at the point of attack. Can be easily re-routed by running backs.
Can be a difference maker, but has also been exploited at times.
20. Charlie Peprah, Green Bay Packers
Can be passive.
Gives the effort, but doesn't get the results often enough.
Can be a liability in coverage. Doesn’t always keep up with his man.
19. Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions
Would be just about perfect if he could change directions more quickly.
Good enough, but should be more aggressive.
A threat here, but rarely delivers.
Doesn’t allow many completions when he’s in the area.
18. Yeremiah Bell, Miami Dolphins
Doesn’t always attack the ball and can be slow to diagnose.
Doesn't get to the quarterback enough, but gets close.
Has the speed to turn and run with tight ends and backs.
Tardy in pursuit, but otherwise does the job.
17. Deon Grant, New York Giants
A good inside/out tackler who has the range and speed to find the ball and attack at an angle. Will miss a few, and can struggle to chase at times, but is very solid.
Is a player the team is comfortable blitzing, but needs to show better awareness and agility to change direction and attack the passer.
There’s a lot to like here. Would want to see better hips to flip and run with would-be receivers, but that’s being incredibly picky. Grant can be a major factor in coverage.
16. Steve Gregory, New England Patriots
Good enough, but there is room for improvement. Doesn’t always attack the ball and can be slow to diagnose.
A very good pass-rusher, would like to see a little more flexibility in his hips to turn the corner. An attacking blitzer.
Strong enough to play in press coverage. There aren’t many quarterbacks who successfully challenge Gregory.
15. Bernard Pollard, Baltimore Ravens
A good inside/out tackler who has the range and speed to find the ball and attack at an angle. Will miss a few, and can struggle to chase at times, but is very solid.
Does everything you’d want at the position, but his success rate of getting to the quarterback isn’t good enough to warrant a higher grade.
A nice coverage safety, and perhaps underrated, Pollard is quick to react and has the footwork to make plays on the ball.
14. Kurt Coleman, Philadelphia Eagles
A good inside/out tackler who has the range and speed to find the ball and attack at an angle. Will miss a few, and can struggle to chase at times, but is very solid.
Has all the qualities of an athlete who can attack the line but not in space.
Has the tools to be a difference maker in coverage
13. William Moore, Atlanta Falcons
Will miss a few, and can struggle to chase at times, but is very solid. Attacks the ball.
Is a player the team is comfortable blitzing, but needs to show better awareness and agility to change direction and attack the passer.
An up-and-comer. A nice coverage safety, and perhaps underrated, Moore is quick to react and has the footwork to make plays on the ball.
12. Antoine Bethea, Indianapolis Colts
Not afraid to lower his shoulder and jump into the hole, Bethea is among the best in the game at shutting down the run.
Has some ability as a pass-rusher, but don’t expect many sacks or takedowns behind the line of scrimmage.
Has the speed to turn and run with receivers. Does a good job recognizing routes and keeping himself in position to make a play on the ball. Doesn’t allow many completions when he’s in the area.
11. Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos
A good inside/out tackler who has the range and speed to find the ball and attack at an angle. Not afraid to lower his shoulder and jump into the hole.
Among the best in the game at coming off the edge to disrupt the backfield. A player who strikes fear in the opposition.
Has the speed to turn and run with receivers. Does a good job recognizing routes and keeping himself in position. Doesn’t allow many completions when he’s in the area.
10. Roman Harper, New Orleans Saints
A lock-down tackler who lives around the football. Has the speed and instincts to quickly attack the ball.
It's impressive just how good Harper is at getting to the quarterback. Among the best in the game at coming off the edge to disrupt the backfield.
Does a fair job attacking the ball and limiting completions, but can be sought out by quarterbacks who aren’t afraid to challenge him.
9. Craig Steltz, Chicago Bears
Solid inside/out tackler who has the range and speed to find the ball and attack at an angle. Will miss a few, and can struggle to chase at times, but is very solid.
Upper-level success rate of getting to the quarterback, but isn’t quite good enough to warrant a higher grade.
A nice coverage safety, and perhaps underrated, Steltz is quick to react and has the footwork to make plays on the ball.
8. Quintin Mikell, St. Louis Rams
Will miss a few, and can struggle to chase at times, but is very solid. A hard hitter who enforces the middle of the field.
A very good pass-rusher, would like to see a little more flexibility in his hips to turn the corner. An attacking blitzer. Has all the qualities of an athlete who can attack the line, but needs to improve his tackling in the open field.
Has the speed in the open field to make plays on the ball consistently. Has no trouble extending 10 yards once the play is read to break up a pass or shut down the run.
His zone play is exceptional; there’s a lot to like here. Would want to see better hips to flip and run with would-be receivers, but that’s being incredibly picky.
Has very good impact, but is merely average at finding the ball, dropping his weight and running through the ball-carrier.
Doesn’t stand out from the crowd, and his average numbers reinforce what we saw on film. He’s good, but not a playmaker.
Has enough speed to be an impact, but can’t always chase from behind. Grades out in the low 4.5 range if he were to run a 40-yard dash today.
Getting close to the top of the NFL, Mikell has very good coverage skills and the range to be a factor. With (better) support and more experience, a higher score is possible in 2012.
Did not miss a game with injury in 2011.
Quintin Mikell had a down year in his first season with the Rams, but expect a comeback in 2012 once he's familiar with the system and more in tune with the play-calling. Mikell is a freelancer, and he took too many gambles with a poor supporting cast in 2011.
7. Gerald Sensabaugh, Dallas Cowboys
Not great, and not horrible. Will make tackles in the run game, but also misses too many and will be left hugging air at times.
A very good pass-rusher, would like to see a little more flexibility in his hips to turn the corner. An attacking blitzer.
Has the speed to turn and run with receivers. Does a good job recognizing routes and keeping himself in position to make a play on the ball. Doesn’t allow many completions when he’s in the area.
6. Donte Whitner, San Francisco 49ers
Not afraid to lower his shoulder and jump into the hole, Whitner is among the best in the game at shutting down the run.
Does everything you’d want at the position, but his success rate of getting to the quarterback isn’t good enough to warrant a higher grade.
Grades out above average in coverage, but runs hot and cold. Can be a difference maker, but has also been exploited at times.
5. Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks
A lock-down tackler who lives around the football. Has the speed and instincts to quickly attack the ball.
A very good pass-rusher who is an attacking blitzer. Has all the qualities of an athlete who can attack the line, but needs to improve his tackling in the open field.
Shows very good range. Has no trouble extending 10 yards once the play is read to break up a pass or shut down the run.
There’s a lot to like here. Would like to see better hips to flip and run with would-be receivers, but that’s being incredibly picky.
Can be a factor in stopping the run, but would like to see better skills when making attempts in space. Will go for the hit over the tackle at times.
Doesn’t show great hands for the interception, but is able to get between the receiver and the ball to defend passes.
Purely average at the position, Chancellor projects to a 40-time of 4.55 to 4.60 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Struggles with burst.
Does a good job breaking on the ball, and can separate passes, but isn’t quite ready to be a top-tier player. Is among those on the verge of being elite.
Sat out one game due to injury during the 2011 season.
An elite run stopper and blitzing artist, Chancellor's lack of elite speed is the biggest concern to date. He plays more like an outside linebacker in the Seattle defense, so his limited range isn't as much of an issue. If he can extend his range through experience and awareness, watch out.
4. Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders
Not afraid to lower his shoulder and jump into the hole. He is among the best in the game at shutting down the run.
Can attack the line, but needs to improve his tackling in the open field.
Allows a fair amount of completions, but can be a good player in coverage. Much better in a zone than man on man.
3. Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Has the speed and instincts to quickly attack the ball, which he does.
Does everything you’d want at the position, but his success rate of getting to the quarterback isn’t good enough to warrant a higher grade.
Able to be a shutdown force in coverage. Keeps opposing quarterbacks from attempting to throw into his zone. Is a player teams game-plan around due to his ability in man coverage.
2. George Wilson, Buffalo Bills
A lock-down tackler who lives around the football. Has the speed and instincts to quickly attack.
Is a player the team is comfortable blitzing, but needs to show better awareness and agility to change direction and attack the passer.
Strong enough to play in press coverage. There aren’t many quarterbacks who successfully challenge Wilson.
1. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
When the quarterback sees Polamalu coming on a blitz, an audible or protection change will be called. Is a threat to get to the backfield and make plays.
Does a good job recognizing routes and keeping himself in position to make a play on the ball. There’s a lot to like here. Would want to see better hips to flip and run with would-be receivers, but that’s being incredibly picky.
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