NFL Free Agency 100: Top 7 Safeties
We love to rank things in the NFL world, including free agents. But this time they’re being ranked with a scouting emphasis to give a full picture of what each team is getting with a free-agent contract.
The goal of the NFL Free Agency 100 is to look at each player the way an NFL front office will look at him. By evaluating on-field play (production), past injuries (durability), off-field and locker room behavior (intangibles), potential as a player (upside) and the type of contract expected (value), we're able to get a complete image of the player.
In the case of ties, I have asked myself, "Which player would I rather have on my team?" and set the rankings accordingly.
Subjective? Yes. But ties are no fun.
Each player was scouted by me and a team of experienced evaluators, with these key criteria in mind. The following scouting reports and grades are the work of months of film study from our team.
All statistics from Pro Football Focus. Players' heights, weights and seasons from NFL.com.
7. Stevie Brown, New York Giants
1 of 7
Production
Stevie Brown went from unknown to fan favorite when he posted eight interceptions in 2012—his first season with the New York Giants after a year in Oakland and another in Indianapolis. But Brown hasn’t recorded an interception since then and saw his role decrease in 2014. He has shown flashes, but inconsistency is an issue.
Durability
Brown missed the entire 2013 season with a torn left ACL. He did come back to play in all 16 games in 2014.
Intangibles
There are no on-field issues or off-field red flags to consider with Brown. He’s a safe option.
Upside
Brown’s upside isn’t another eight-interception season, but that gives you an idea of what he’s capable of in the right system and situation. He’ll turn 28 years old before the 2015 season, though, and is getting close to put-up-or-shut-up time in his career. If he leaves New York, he’ll be headed to his fourth team.
Value
Brown should realistically be viewed as a third safety who could be a starter. If that’s his value, he’s worth it. With his lack of production outside of one season, teams have to be careful when valuing him.
Overall
6. Sergio Brown, Indianapolis Colts
2 of 7
Production
Sergio Brown spent two seasons in New England before heading to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He played a small role in his first two years with the Colts but became a starter in 2014. He answered with solid play at free safety. Brown has one interception and one sack in his pro career.
Durability
Brown has been banged up, but his health isn’t an issue for any team thinking of signing him.
Intangibles
Brown has a completely clean rap sheet and isn’t a concern on or off the field.
Upside
Brown has been on three teams already, and he’ll be 27 years old when the season begins, so he does have a good mix of experience and upside. It’s a good bet his best season is still ahead of him, especially if he can play like he did in 2014.
Value
Brown won’t be a big, marquee signing, but he has the ability to be an impact player. As far as value signings go, he’s definitely in that category.
Overall
5. Mike Adams, Indianapolis Colts
3 of 7
Production
Mike Adams exploded with five interceptions, 77 tackles and 12 passes defended in 2014. It was a career year for him in his 11th season. Adams has played free and strong safety and is the type of smart, versatile player teams are in love with for nickel and base packages against so many spread sets.
Durability
Adams hasn't missed a game in four seasons and rarely missed action before that. He’s a dependable player with no health concerns.
Intangibles
A clean player on and off the field, Adams has no issues to report.
Upside
Adams will turn 34 years old before the 2015 season begins, which severely limits his upside and long-term outlook. He enjoyed his best season as a professional with the Colts in 2014.
Value
Many teams will be looking for short-term starters at safety, and Adams can be a good one. He won’t break the bank, due to his age, but a two-year contract would give him plenty of time to make his mark.
Overall
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4. Da'Norris Searcy, Buffalo Bills
4 of 7
Production
The arrival of Mike Pettine’s defense in 2013 sparked good things for Da’Norris Searcy. That continued in 2014 with Jim Schwartz running the defense. Searcy logged four sacks and four interceptions in those two seasons, adding 92 tackles along the way in 20 starts (31 games). He’s a physical safety but shows the versatility to play free or strong and has even worked in the slot as a cornerback.
Durability
Searcy missed time with a hamstring injury (one week) and was limited with knee injuries early in the 2014 season.
Intangibles
There are no issues on the field or off the field to report with Searcy. He’s a clean option.
Upside
Searcy was impressive the last two seasons, but teams will worry that his production was sparked by scheme and not by his development. He’ll have to prove he’s the reason and not his coordinator.
Value
Searcy won’t command a huge salary, but he should be locked in as a starter in 2015. There’s also a great chance Rex Ryan makes a hard pitch to keep him in Buffalo.
Overall
3. Antrel Rolle, New York Giants
5 of 7
Production
Antrel Rolle produces. Starts, interceptions, sacks, tackles. He does it all. His 26 interceptions in 10 seasons point to that production and consistency. He’s long (6’0”, 206 pounds) and fast, and he explodes out of breaks. The three-time Pro Bowler gets the job done and can play in any type of coverage at free safety.
Durability
Rolle hasn’t missed a game in five years. You have to go back to his rookie season (2005) to find more than one missed game.
Intangibles
Rolle is a starter and a leader, and he’s had no issues on or off the field in his long NFL career.
Upside
Rolle is 32 years old and likely looking for one more contract. He is still a very good player, but his upside is limited.
Value
A mid-level signing at free safety, Rolle would walk into a locker room and start right away. His production, experience and leadership make him valuable.
Overall
2. Rahim Moore, Denver Broncos
6 of 7
Production
Forget the mistimed jump against the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs and look at what Rahim Moore has done in his four-year career—eight interceptions, 171 tackles and improved play each season. And at just 25 years old for the 2015 season, Moore has room to grow. He’s athletic and big enough to be a tackler, and he has the skills to anchor a secondary at free safety.
Durability
Moore went on injured reserve in Week 12 of the 2013 season with a left leg injury. Moore almost lost his leg to the injury, according to Joan Neisen of MMQB.
Intangibles
Moore has no off-field or on-field issues to report. He’s a leader in the secondary.
Upside
As noted above, Moore has improved every season as a starter and hits 2015 as a 25-year-old with Pro Bowl potential. He’s a safe bet to improve even more and has big upside.
Value
Moore won’t be a cheap signing on the open market, and if Devin McCourty stays in New England, he’s the No. 1 guy available. With the Broncos' salary-cap situation and other free agents, he could leave town.
Overall
1. Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
7 of 7
Production
A former first-round pick and cornerback, Devin McCourty has become one of the best free safeties in football. He has impressive range, hands and versatility playing center field for the New England Patriots. In five seasons, he’s produced 17 interceptions, and he is a threat to attack the ball when playing over the top. McCourty is as smart as he is athletic.
Durability
McCourty has missed three starts in five seasons and is a consistent, durable and reliable performer. He’s healthy and ready to go heading into 2015.
Intangibles
A veteran leader in the Patriots secondary, McCourty is also one of the leaders on the team. He has a clean record on and off the field.
Upside
Playing for Bill Belichick and on a very good defense helps McCourty, and teams must decide if he’s a standout talent or the product of a great system. Belichick’s ability to develop defensive backs who don’t produce well elsewhere is worth noting.
Value
McCourty is an excellent value and one of the NFL’s best free safeties since moving there in 2012. If he does leave New England, he’ll be a highly sought-after player given his talent and intelligence.
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