B/R NFL 1000: Ranking the Top 35 Strong Safeties from 2015
At the end of the 2015 NFL season, who was the best strong safety in the game? We're not talking about who made the Pro Bowl or even who got the All-Pro votes. Who was really, truly the best? Forget reputation and how much money each player makes. We want cold, hard analysis that comes from watching the games and grading the players.
That's what the B/R NFL 1000 is for, and it's back for another year.
The B/R 1000 metric is based heavily on scouting each player and grading the key criteria for each position. The criteria are weighted according to importance for a possible best score of 100.
Potential and career accomplishments are not taken into consideration.
Strong safeties are judged on coverage (70 points), run defense (10), tackling (10) and the overall value of the position relative to the other spots on the field (eight points). The maximum score for this position is 98.
Because NFL safeties often split time between both free safety and strong safety, we determined that players eligible to be ranked at strong safety must have started at least 50 percent of their games played at that position.
In the case of ties, our team asked, "Which player would I rather have on my team?" and set the rankings accordingly.
Subjective? Yes, but ties are no fun.
A team of experienced evaluators (Dan Bazal, Luke Easterling, Cian Fahey, Adam Heisler, Duke Manyweather, Matt Miller and Marshal Miller) scouted each player with these key criteria in mind. The following scouting reports and grades are the work of months of film study from our team.
Players' heights, weights, seasons played and sack totals from NFL.com. All other statistics from Pro Football Focus.
35. T.J. McDonald, St. Louis Rams
1 of 35
Coverage
McDonald started 11 games for the Rams but never did much to set himself apart. He’s a big defender, but his size becomes a detriment in coverage, keeping him from being flexible and fluid down the field.
Run Defense
At 6’2”, 217 pounds, McDonald is easily most comfortable in the box trying to stuff the run. He’s not perfect, but the 25-year-old uses his size to get leverage when needed, and he has plus instincts that bail him out when his lack of athleticism rears its head.
Tackling
McDonald uses his size well as a hitter, but it’s called tackling, not hitting. He needs to spend more time working on the finer points of tackling technique if he wants to take his game up a notch and find himself higher on this list in 2016.
Position Value
Overall
34. Jimmy Wilson, San Diego Chargers
2 of 35
Coverage
A seventh-round pick out of Montana in 2011, Wilson made six starts for the Bolts in 2015. His effectiveness in coverage was up and down all year, from an impressive outing against Pittsburgh in Week 5 to a forgettable performance just two weeks later against Oakland.
Run Defense
Wilson simply didn’t give much in terms of run support, failing to show the ability to read and react quickly and lacking the physicality to consistently take on and beat blocks. He has enough size at 5’11”, 205 pounds, but he needs to learn how to use it.
Tackling
Speaking of using that frame, Wilson has the size to be an effective, powerful tackler, but he simply lacks polish and consistency. Late-round picks can take time to develop, and Wilson has the physical tools that could allow him to make a bigger impact down the road.
Position Value
Overall
33. Jahleel Addae, San Diego Chargers
3 of 35
Coverage
Another player who started most of the season but didn’t take full advantage of the opportunity, Addae struggled in coverage in 2015. He was too stiff and didn’t show good range while failing to record a single interception despite playing nearly 90 percent of the team's defensive snaps in games he played.
Run Defense
He wasn’t great in coverage, but Addae was arguably worse against the run in 2015. Aside from a solid performance in Week 12 against Jacksonville, he wasn’t much of a threat to tackle runners before they got into the secondary.
Tackling
Addae has some potential as a tackler, but he still needs plenty of work on the finer points of his craft. An undrafted free agent in 2013 out of Central Michigan, Addae has time to develop and should continue to improve in this area in 2016 and beyond.
Position Value
Overall
.jpg?w=256 "Rams Jaguars Football")
32. Will Allen, Pittsburgh Steelers
4 of 35
Coverage
It was a tale of two...never mind, too easy. Allen had a rough start to the year but cleaned it up considerably over the final few weeks. He logged 13 starts for Pittsburgh in 2015, but it was more due to a lack of better options than Allen’s ability to cover downfield effectively.
Run Defense
Even in his 12th NFL season, Allen was a solid run defender for the Steelers. What he lacks in athleticism at his age (33), he makes up for with his experience and understanding of what opposing offenses are trying to throw at him.
Tackling
Allen racked up 74 solo tackles on the year while playing nearly 90 percent of the team's defensive snaps in games he played. But he missed an eye-popping 19 tackles, 10 more than his previous single-season high. He’s a smart player with plenty of valuable experience, but he's clearly lost a step or two.
Position Value
Overall
31. Andrew Sendejo, Minnesota Vikings
5 of 35
Coverage
Sendejo set a career mark with 13 starts in 2015, but he struggled mightily in coverage for most of the year. An undrafted free agent in 2010 out of Rice, Sendejo just didn’t show the kind of instincts or range it takes to be an effective cover man on the back end.
Run Defense
At 6’1”, 210 pounds, Sendejo did his best to put his solid frame to good use in the box as a run defender. His intelligence helped put him in the right place more often than not, but he was still susceptible to play-action fakes and misdirection on a regular basis.
Tackling
Sendejo logged 844 snaps for the Vikings in 2015, tallying 62 solo tackles but missing another 12. He has the awareness to know when to break down, but he’s just not the quick-twitch athlete who can adjust to the change-of-direction ability many ball-carriers in the NFL possess.
Position Value
Overall
30. Eddie Pleasant, Houston Texans
6 of 35
Coverage
Pleasant saw the most action of any season so far in his four-year career, but he didn’t have much to show for it. He was at his strongest in coverage, flashing some playmaking ability by grabbing the first two interceptions of his career.
Run Defense
Pleasant wasn’t too much help against the run during his limited action in 2015, struggling to find the ball and react to plays quickly enough to make an impact. He had some positive moments toward the end of the season, but there’s plenty of work to be done in this department.
Tackling
Pleasant’s struggles in run support aren’t helped by his lack of proficiency as a tackler. His technique was all over the place far too often, and even when he made the right play on the ball, it was too often undone by his inability to finish off the play.
Position Value
Overall
29. Barry Church, Dallas Cowboys
7 of 35
Coverage
After biding his time as a special teamer, Church has started at least 15 games in each of the past three seasons for the Cowboys. He’s not a dynamic cover man, as evidenced by his lack of interceptions (three for his career) despite playing nearly 90 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in the games he played.
Run Defense
Church’s low grades in other areas bury him on this list, but it shouldn’t be lost how effective he was at stopping the run this past season. At 6’2”, 218 pounds, Church knows he has the frame to back up his physical style, and he’s not afraid to match up with offensive linemen at the second level on his way to the ball.
Tackling
What would make Church an even more impressive run defender is improved consistency as a tackler. He can get there in a hurry, but the results are simply too mixed when it comes to finishing the play once he arrives.
Position Value
Overall
28. James Ihedigbo, Detroit Lions
8 of 35
Coverage
Somewhat of a journeyman over his eight NFL seasons, Ihedigbo has spent the last two seasons with his fourth team, the Detroit Lions. Coverage is not where he’s most comfortable, as his thicker frame and stiff hips limit him from covering as much ground as others across the league.
Run Defense
Where he does have strong tools is when defending the run, as the former undrafted free agent from Massachusetts flashed a keen eye for breaking down blocking assignments and the ability to cut through and find the ball-carrier.
Tackling
Ihedigbo is also an effective run-stopper because of his sound tackling skills, which combine improved technique with just enough athleticism to hold his own in the open field against even the league’s most talented offensive weapons.
Position Value
Overall
27. Taylor Mays, Oakland Raiders
9 of 35
Coverage
Mays has always looked the part of an NFL safety, but those looks have yet to translate into on-field success at the pro level. He made some small improvements in coverage in 2015, but he still struggles to match his natural tools with the nuances of fluidity and instincts.
Run Defense
Mays’ frame looks good on paper, but he’s lean and can struggle to get leverage and get off blocks. He has the athleticism to make plays, but his instincts are average and he plays too tight, too often. It’s tough to defend the run effectively without those traits.
Tackling
Mays missed four tackles over 322 snaps this past season. He’s not the big hitter his frame might suggest at 6’3”, 225 pounds, but he’s becoming a more sound tackler than he’s gotten credit for.
Position Value
Overall
26. William Moore, Atlanta Falcons
10 of 35
Coverage
Moore was a second-round pick in 2009 out of Missouri, but overall, he’s failed to deliver on high expectations throughout his NFL career. He’s had some injury issues over the past couple of seasons, which have directly contributed to his shortcomings in coverage over that time. 2015 was a slight improvement over the year before.
Run Defense
Moore is still more comfortable in the box, but that doesn’t mean he’s always effective once he’s there. At 6’0”, 221 pounds, Moore isn’t much smaller than some linebackers, but he struggles with consistently finding the ball quickly and read-react ability.
Tackling
For all his faults, Moore is still an above-average tackler, notching 45 solo tackles in just 11 starts. He missed just four tackles in 2015, giving him 10 total over the past two years. After seven seasons in Atlanta, sure tackling is Moore’s calling card as he looks for his next job on the open market this offseason.
Position Value
Overall
25. Daimion Stafford, Tennessee Titans
11 of 35
Coverage
A seventh-round pick in 2013 out of Nebraska, Stafford’s overall performance in 2015 wasn’t much to write home about. His best work came in coverage, where he knocked away three passes and flashed promising instincts and athleticism.
Run Defense
Stafford is still learning the finer points of surviving life in the box, but the early returns aren’t bad considering he was a late-round pick in his third NFL season. He’s not afraid to go toe-to-toe with bigger blockers, and his instincts help him diagnose plays quickly to get where he needs to be.
Tackling
This is where Stafford needs the most work. In his limited action in 2015, Stafford made just 16 solo tackles but missed six, showing frequently sloppy mechanics and an inability to finish the play on his own. He still has room to grow, but he’ll have to start the upswing as soon as possible.
Position Value
Overall
24. Dwight Lowery, Indianapolis Colts
12 of 35
Coverage
Lowery bounced between three teams over the past three seasons but was still a 16-game starter in his first season with the Colts in 2015. He had some inconsistency in coverage, but that’s easier to stomach when it comes with four interceptions and three passes defensed.
Run Defense
Lowery was fairly effective against the run for the Falcons in 2014, but he took a noticeable step back in that area this past season. Too often, he was just a step too slow when reading the play or not focused enough to avoid oncoming blockers.
Tackling
At 5’11”, 212 pounds, Lowery has the size to be a powerful tackler, but he doesn’t always maximize those natural tools. He can make the occasional big hit, and while nine missed tackles isn’t too bad for a full-season starter, he still could use some polish on his technique.
Position Value
Overall
23. David Bruton, Denver Broncos
13 of 35
Coverage
A fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2009, Bruton spent all seven of his NFL seasons with Denver before signing with Washington this offseason. He wasn’t incredibly fluid in coverage in 2015, though he did set a career high with a pair of interceptions.
Run Defense
Bruton has some strength and power to his game, which he occasionally put to good use to disengage from would-be blockers in the run game. But those successes were way too few and far between over his 13 appearances in 2015.
Tackling
Bruton certainly had his positive moments in this department, such as a 10-tackle outing in Week 13 against San Diego. But overall, he was inconsistent and careless with his technique, losing open-field opportunities and giving up too much extra yardage.
Position Value
Overall
22. Kyshoen Jarrett, Washington
14 of 35
Coverage
A sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2015, Jarrett’s rookie campaign had plenty of the usual ups and downs. The 22-year-old was a classic safety-linebacker ‘tweener in college, and though he showed plenty of the stiffness that was evident on his college tape, he flashed some positive traits on more than a few occasions.
Run Defense
Jarrett showed a willingness to hang out in the box and help defend the run, but that doesn’t mean he was always able to deliver positive results. He made a handful of solid plays against the run, but still looked like a rookie late-rounder far too often.
Tackling
He’s more physical than his size might suggest at 5’10”, 200 pounds, but Jarrett has some pop to him when he takes on opposing ball-carriers. His technique still needs plenty of work, but he’s a young player who can be molded and improved if he’s willing to put the work in.
Position Value
Overall
21. Corey Graham, Buffalo Bills
15 of 35
Coverage
After showing plenty of promise over the last few seasons with both Buffalo and Baltimore, Graham was a 16-game starter in 2015 for the first time in his nine-year NFL career. But easily the most disappointing part of Graham’s 2015 campaign was his constant struggle in coverage. He saw a huge dip in his performance in this area from the previous season, and he’ll need to correct it next year if he wants to live up to lofty expectations.
Run Defense
Graham didn’t make his mark in coverage, but he certainly made a sizable impact against the run in 2015. Graham has a great feel for flowing to the ball without getting knocked off course by the traffic in the box, but he’s not afraid to take on a block head-on if that’s what’s necessary.
Tackling
Graham’s disappointing showing in coverage keeps him on the bottom half of this list, but he was still among the league’s elite tacklers at the position in 2015. He racked up a career-high 89 tackles while missing just three all season long. He has the total package of athletic ability, technique and smarts that make it hard for opponents to avoid him.
Position Value
Overall
20. Roman Harper, Carolina Panthers
16 of 35
Coverage
For the sixth time in his 10 NFL seasons, Harper started all 16 games in 2015, his second run in Carolina after spending the previous eight campaigns across the division in New Orleans. He’s not the spring chicken he once was in coverage (33 years old), but he makes up for his declining athleticism with smarts and awareness.
Run Defense
Harper’s effectiveness as a run defender has been on a slow decline over the last few years, and his performance in 2015 was another small step in that direction. His instincts and experience allow him to diagnose plays quickly enough, but at this point in his career, his body is having a tougher time meeting the demands of his brain.
Tackling
Harper’s age hasn’t done much to impact his abilities as a sound, consistent tackler. He wasn’t much of an enforcer in 2015, but he played over 1,000 snaps and missed just six tackles on the year. He’s still getting the job done here.
Position Value
Overall
19. Kemal Ishmael, Atlanta Falcons
17 of 35
Coverage
He saw his starts cut in half from 10 to five in 2015, but Ishmael brought more bang for the buck with his performance in his third NFL season. Ishmael had a rough 2014 when it came to surviving in coverage, but he improved by leaps and bounds this past season. At just 24 years old, the Central Florida product will be a young player to keep an eye on in 2016.
Run Defense
The difference between the past two seasons wasn’t quite as drastic in this area for Ishmael, but there was still marked improvement for the former seventh-round pick. He flashed a promising combination of quickness, instincts and awareness that should allow him to keep trending upward.
Tackling
Ishmael has plenty to clean up in this area, as he missed seven tackles in 2015 despite playing just 41 percent of Atlanta’s defensive snaps. As is the case with many late-round picks, it’s taking him time to refine his technique, but he needs to make that jump soon.
Position Value
Overall
18. Quintin Demps, Houston Texans
18 of 35
Coverage
On his fourth different team in as many seasons, Demps made a career-high 13 starts for the Texans in 2015. He had the most impressive season of his career from a coverage standpoint, though the box score may not tell the same story. But despite grabbing just one pick after notching four in each of the last two seasons, Demps was a much more disciplined and effective cover man in 2015.
Run Defense
Demps has never been known for his prowess as a run defender, and his performance in 2015 was par for the course in this department. His instincts are spotty, as is his ability to disengage from bigger, stronger blockers once they get him locked in.
Tackling
Demps saw the highest snap count of his career in 2015, but with it came eight missed tackles. The inconsistencies that plague him as a run defender are also present in his tackling ability, from sloppy technique at times to a lack of power to finish a tackle without help from his teammates.
Position Value
Overall
17. Isa Abdul-Quddus, Detroit Lions
19 of 35
Coverage
Waiver-wire fodder just two years ago, Abdul-Quddus turned a pair of solid campaigns in Detroit into a new three-year deal with the Dolphins this offseason—a pact that will pay him $12.75 million. Coverage wasn’t his strong suit in 2015, but he held his own without too many glaring mistakes.
Run Defense
An undrafted free agent in 2011 out of Fordham, Abdul-Quddus was much more comfortable and effective in run support in 2015. He got hot in this department over the second half of the season, becoming one of the more effective run-stuffers at the position in the entire NFL over that stretch.
Tackling
Over his career-high eight starts this past season, Abdul-Quddus also set a new career mark with 42 solo tackles while missing just five. He’s not the most refined technician among the NFL’s strong safeties, but he proved he can lay the lumber with the best of them on multiple occasions in 2015.
Position Value
Overall
16. Walter Thurmond, Philadelphia Eagles
20 of 35
Coverage
Injuries have plagued Thurmond over the last few years, as he switched to safety from corner when he landed in Philadelphia to help with the team’s depth issues there. He stayed healthy in 2015, starting all 16 games after making just nine starts over the previous five seasons. His experience at corner served him well in coverage at his new position, as he was plenty comfortable in both man and zone coverage.
Run Defense
Thurmond wasn’t bad in run support as far as corners go, but moving into the box with the run responsibilities of a strong safety is a completely different beast. At 5’11”, 190 pounds, Thurmond, unsurprisingly, had a tough time holding his own against bigger, more physical blockers, and he was easily moved around at the point of attack.
Tackling
Despite his lack of ideal size, Thurmond was a more than willing participant as a tackler in his new position. He took his lumps when bringing down bigger backs in the box or tight ends downfield, but considering the transition he made, his effectiveness in this area was a pleasant surprise.
Position Value
Overall
15. Donte Whitner, Cleveland Browns
21 of 35
Coverage
Many fans and analysts scratched their heads when the Buffalo Bills drafted Whitner in the top 10 back in 2006, but he’s carved out a 10-year career as one of the most consistent, productive safeties in the NFL. Despite his high mileage, he was still effective in coverage for the most part in 2015, using his experience and instincts to overcome any athletic regression he may have experienced.
Run Defense
Whitner had a solid season overall in Cleveland, but he didn’t look like the same run defender we saw over the previous two campaigns. He’s still effective at processing the play and knowing where he needs to be, but the 30-year-old is starting to show his age when it comes to closing speed and sideline-to-sideline chase ability.
Tackling
They don’t call him "Hitner" for nothing, but his penchant for making the highlight reels leaves him susceptible to whiffing on tackles far too often. His 10 missed tackles in 2015 marked the third time in four seasons he’s hit double digits in that category.
Position Value
Overall
14. Jaquiski Tartt, San Francisco 49ers
22 of 35
Coverage
One of the fastest risers throughout the 2015 predraft process, Tartt is already starting to show why the 49ers spent a second-round pick on him. The Samford product was plenty raw in coverage as a rookie, but flashed the athleticism and instincts that had many NFL teams smitten a year ago.
Run Defense
The first thing that jumped out on Tartt’s college tape was his talent as an absolute thumper in the run game, and he’s already proving he can translate that success to the NFL. He’s still a bit rough around the edges, but he puts his natural talent to good use in the box and has the instincts to sniff out the ball-carrier and close to make the play.
Tackling
Tartt has an old-school, physical style to his play, and he brings that attitude to his tackling skills. As with many small-school players, he still has work to do when it comes to the finer points of his technique, but he was largely effective despite his lack of polish in this area.
Position Value
Overall
13. Calvin Pryor, New York Jets
23 of 35
Coverage
A first-round pick in 2014 out of Louisville, Pryor overcame a rough start to the 2015 season, putting together a strong finish thanks to his success in coverage. The stiffness that showed up on his college tape and even during his rookie season with the Jets was noticeably improved in 2015.
Run Defense
While Pryor improved as a cover man in his second NFL season, the pendulum swung the other way with his run support. He missed too many opportunities to beat blocks, not trusting his quickness and focusing more on the traffic in front of him than his target.
Tackling
One thing that continues to translate from Pryor’s college film to his pro performance is his lack of polish and consistency as a tackler. He’s more interested in the big hit instead of breaking down and making sure tackles, and he’ll have to be more disciplined in this area moving forward.
Position Value
Overall
12. George Iloka, Cincinnati Bengals
24 of 35
Coverage
The Bengals were basically forced to choose between re-signing Iloka or veteran free safety Reggie Nelson this offseason, and despite Nelson’s strong season, Iloka gave them more reasons than just his youth (25) to make him their priority. Iloka was impressive in coverage in 2015, and his impact went well beyond the box score. He’s athletic, rangy and smart, giving him all the tools to frustrate opposing quarterbacks on the back end.
Run Defense
It’s too harsh to call Iloka a one-trick pony, but he was more comfortable defending the pass than coming down into the box to face the run. His instincts didn’t translate as well as a run defender, and his preference for playing the pass kept him from reacting to run plays as quickly as he could have.
Tackling
At 6’4”, 225 pounds, Iloka has one of the most prototypical frames of any safety in the NFL, but he didn’t maximize his size as a tackler in 2015. He’s not a huge hitter considering his measurables, and his technique got too sloppy at times.
Position Value
Overall
11. Will Hill, Baltimore Ravens
25 of 35
Coverage
Will Hill’s impending 10-game suspension for the 2016 season is disappointing, especially considering how well he played last season. That said, he wasn’t as effective in coverage as he had been over the previous two seasons, lacking consistency despite starting a career-high 14 games.
Run Defense
Hill was much more effective against the run in 2015, which was a bit of a gear change from the previous two years. At 6’1”, 228 pounds, Hill has the ideal frame for winning at the point of attack against opposing blockers, but he’s quick enough to give offensive linemen difficulty engaging.
Tackling
Hill was one of the best tacklers of the bunch this past season, bringing both big-hit ability and disciplined, polished technique to nearly every attempt. Hill played nearly 1,000 snaps in 2015 but missed just four tackles all year long.
Position Value
Overall
10. Husain Abdullah, Kansas City Chiefs
26 of 35
Coverage
After starting all 16 games in 2014, Abdullah returned to a rotational role in 2015, appearing in 11 games with four starts in 2015. He wasn’t quite as productive in coverage as he was the year before, but Abdullah still flashed the ability to click and close with consistent burst. He’s a starter in many other NFL defensive backfields.
Run Defense
He was only on the field for about half of Kansas City’s defensive snaps, but Abdullah was a reliable run defender for a good portion of his 2015 action. He wasn’t easily fooled by play action and showed consistent read-react ability, feeling out running plays and flowing smoothly to the ball on a regular basis. Nothing earth-shattering, but effective.
Tackling
If you’re a reserve player who wants to earn significant playing time, you have to handle the simple things and fundamentals. A big part of that is tackling for the strong safety spot, and Abdullah routinely showed great technique and pop when bringing down opposing ball-carriers.
Position Value
Overall
9. T.J. Ward, Denver Broncos
27 of 35
Coverage
He’s not the force he was during his last two years in Cleveland, but Ward has been a key cog in Denver’s championship defense since joining via free agency prior to the 2014 season. It may not show up often in the stat sheet, but Ward is a magnet for the ball, and the threat of his range keeps opposing quarterbacks from testing him as often as they did in his earlier years.
Run Defense
He’s a better cover man than a run defender, but Ward can still get his hands dirty down in the box. His instincts and nose for the ball, which make him successful against the pass, serve him well in this department, as he’s able to sniff out blocking schemes and adjust his pursuit angles to avoid getting locked up by opposing blockers.
Tackling
Ward is a hard-nosed player and a willing tackler, posting 62 stops in 2015. But he missed 13 tackles, which is a bit high considering he missed four games. If he focuses more on wrapping up for the sure tackle than trying to make the highlight-reel hit, he’ll be ready to take a step forward in this department.
Position Value
Overall
8. Morgan Burnett, Green Bay Packers
28 of 35
Coverage
A nagging calf injury forced Burnett to miss five games in 2015, but he was still one of the league’s better players at the position when he was on the field. After struggling in coverage over the previous two seasons, Burnett made significant improvements in this area last year, showing much better range and reaction time, avoiding some of the mental errors that led to his struggles in prior years.
Run Defense
Just as he did the year before, Burnett put together another strong body of work against the run in 2015. He’s a savvy veteran who uses his experience and awareness to overcome any physical limitations in his skill set, setting up blockers to avoid engaging when possible and cutting through traffic to make plays.
Tackling
His tackle numbers were obviously down a bit from last year due to missing time with injury, but Burnett also missed just eight tackles in 2015, the fewest since his rookie season in 2010. He’ll have periodic lapses with technique or failing to break down with proper speed and control, but those plays were the exception rather than the rule this past season.
Position Value
Overall
7. Da'Norris Searcy, Tennessee Titans
29 of 35
Coverage
Searcy spent his first season with Tennessee in 2015 after playing in Buffalo for the previous four years. He saw the most playing time of his career, logging nearly 90 percent of the Titans’ defensive snaps and proving himself to be effective in coverage. It wasn’t his best season in this department from a numbers standpoint, but he looked cleaner this year with fewer missteps, allowing just one touchdown pass and snatching his sixth career interception.
Run Defense
A fourth-round pick out of North Carolina in 2011, Searcy’s ability to defend the run was questioned coming into the draft, but he’s proved himself to be reliable in that area. That was the case again in 2015, as he showed above-average instincts and read-react ability, though he’s still learning how to effectively navigate traffic in the box without getting knocked off his pursuit angles.
Tackling
At 5’11”, 207 pounds, Searcy has a compact frame that he uses effectively as a tackler, getting solid pad level and winning leverage more often than not against ball-carriers. He played nearly 900 snaps in 2015, missing just five tackles and flashing the ability to be a big hitter when necessary.
Position Value
Overall
6. Patrick Chung, New England Patriots
30 of 35
Coverage
The Pats spent an early second-round pick on Chung back in 2009, and he returned to New England in 2014 after a one-year stint with the Eagles. He’s had the two best seasons of his career since coming back to Foxborough, and he was particularly strong in coverage in 2015. He failed to log an interception but tallied eight defensed passes, showing a nose for the ball and the ability to consistently hold up in zone coverage, as well as when locked up in man responsibilities with a tight end or running back.
Run Defense
Chung saw a jump in his performance as a cover man this past season, but the pendulum swung the other way when it came to run support. He still flashed some solid traits, but wasn’t nearly as effective at finding the ball and weaving his way through traffic in the box as he was in 2014.
Tackling
A 14-game starter in 2015, Chung played over 1,000 snaps and logged 72 tackles, tied for the second-highest mark of his career. After missing a decent chunk of games due to injury earlier in his career, he’s shown improved durability over the past few seasons and has become a more effective tackler along the way. He still has room for improvement (he missed eight tackles in 2015) but showed great technique more often than not last year.
Position Value
Overall
5. Tony Jefferson, Arizona Cardinals
31 of 35
Coverage
The rest of the Arizona secondary grabs more headlines, but Jefferson quietly put together a strong 2015 season, starting seven games. He’s always been solid in other areas, but Jefferson took a big step forward in his coverage ability this past season, showing improved instincts, range and confidence. That translated to four defensed passes and a pair of interceptions.
Run Defense
An undrafted free agent in 2013 out of Oklahoma, Jefferson has shown steady improvement as a run defender in each of his three NFL seasons. He’s processing information more quickly, showing more confidence in his instincts and has the toughness to wade through the trash in the box to make plays against the run.
Tackling
Jefferson has a tightly packed frame at 5’11”, 212 pounds, and he makes the most of it as a sure, physical tackler. He’s not afraid to fly in with a big hit to separate an opponent from the ball, but he also has the discipline to break down consistently. His technique has improved every year, and 2015 was the latest step in the right direction.
Position Value
Overall
4. Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks
32 of 35
Coverage
Coverage has never been Chancellor’s calling card, but he’s still rarely a liability in that department. He doesn’t have the fluidity of the league’s top cover men at the position, but has plus instincts and enough speed to close quickly on the ball. Chancellor is especially effective on shorter routes where he can keep things in front of him and come downhill.
Run Defense
There’s a big reason Chancellor is the anchor of the Legion of Boom, and it’s because the “boom” is exactly what he brings to opposing ball-carriers in the running game. He’s physical at the point of attack and can play even bigger than his size, which is huge for the position at 6’3”, 232 pounds. He’s a wrecking ball who is difficult to block.
Tackling
As mentioned above, Chancellor’s physical style is his best attribute, and he’s equal parts big hitter and sound technician as a tackler. He routinely wraps up opponents with textbook form, but can bring the hammer with jarring hits that cause ball-security issues for backs and receivers on the other side.
Position Value
Overall
3. Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
33 of 35
Coverage
A well-rounded playmaker who started all 16 games for Miami in 2015, Jones had a knack for getting his hands on the ball at an impressive rate. He knocked away four passes and bagged five interceptions last season, returning two for touchdowns. He’s not the most consistent player at the position when it comes to his coverage ability, but he makes up for it with the splash plays.
Run Defense
If there’s a race between strong safeties for the best run-stuffer, Jones is among the league’s top finishers. He’s a physical presence who isn’t afraid to mix it up in the box, taking on bigger blockers and winning frequently. He has the instincts to read the play and react with lightning quickness, rarely getting fooled by play action or making a late decision to chase the play in the right direction.
Tackling
Jones racked up 116 tackles in 2015, playing 1,154 snaps and seemingly getting into the action every time it came anywhere near his zip code. He had his share of strikeouts, missing 15 tackles on the year, but considering the volume of his playing time, that’s not a terrible number. Still, he could use some improvement in his area if he wants to be known as the league’s most complete player at the position.
Position Value
Overall
2. Kenny Vaccaro, New Orleans Saints
34 of 35
Coverage
A first-round pick out of Texas, Vaccaro is starting to establish himself as one of the best in the league at his position. His college experience at corner helped develop strong cover skills, as he proved to be equally comfortable with both man and zone responsibilities. He showed impressive range on the back end and was even able to come down into the slot and match up well with quicker receivers.
Run Defense
Vaccaro is a versatile defender who can make plays from anywhere on the field, and even with his strong coverage skills, he was at his best in run support in 2015. At 6’0”, 214 pounds, he’s more physical at the point of attack than some might expect of a player his size, and his instincts and quickness make him difficult for opposing blockers to line up with and fully engage.
Tackling
He missed 16 tackles in 2015, but considering he played over 1,000 snaps, Vaccaro’s percentages in that department aren’t as bad as they might seem. He has quick feet to break down and keep himself from getting beaten by overpursuit, and he can deliver the big hit when necessary.
Position Value
Overall
1. Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs
35 of 35
Coverage
Berry won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2015, and with good reason. He didn’t just beat cancer; he beat it, came back within a year and immediately went back to being the dominant cover man he was before. Berry’s range and closing speed in coverage are still a sight to behold, and opposing quarterbacks have been reminded to test him at their own risk.
Run Defense
Berry’s versatility is what helped make him the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft, and he continues to be an effective run defender. Starting at least 15 games for the fourth time in six seasons, Berry displayed the same athleticism and instincts that have made him difficult for opponents to neutralize for years. He had some struggles at different points throughout the 2015 season in this area but was well above average for the most part.
Tackling
Berry loves to fly around and bring the hammer, and opposing ball-carriers are well-aware now that his time away from the game hasn’t slowed him down in that regard. He had some consistency issues, missing 11 tackles on the year, but still showed plenty of toughness, solid technique and the willingness to make the big hit.
.jpg?w=480 "Rams Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Texans Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Kyler Rocking No. 1 ☝️")
.jpg?w=600 "Rap Shuts Down Rodgers Rumor 🤫")
.jpg?w=600 "Vid of Bills' New Stadium 👀")
