Every Snub from Top 10 in New NFL Safety Rankings by Coaches, Execs

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre drew strong praise from one NFC scout despite missing the cut in the top 10 of the annual positional rankings from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The Baltimore Ravens' Kyle Hamilton retained the No. 1 spot.

1. Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
2. Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
3. Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers
4. Brian Branch, Detroit Lions
5. Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons
6. Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks
7. Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
9. Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions
10. Calen Bullock, Houston Texans

Pitre was the first safety in the honorable mention category along with four others:

• Jalen Pitre, Houston Texans
• Tre'von Moehrig, Carolina Panthers
• Xavier Watts, Atlanta Falcons
• Coby Bryant, Chicago Bears
• Grant Delpit, Cleveland Browns

"He's a nickel but can play safety," the scout told Fowler of Pitre. "Don't think he gets nearly enough credit. Would love to have him."

Fowler's poll of NFL executives, coaches and scouts elicited a wide variety of opinions. Twelve more safeties received votes in the exercise:

• Minkah Fitzpatrick, New York Jets
• Jalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Kevin Byard, New England Patriots
• Bryan Cook, Cincinnati Bengals
• Talanoa Hufanga, Denver Broncos
• Brandon Jones, Denver Broncos
• Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks
• Jevon Holland, New York Giants
• Quentin Lake, Los Angeles Rams
• Amani Hooker, Tennessee Titans
• Jalen Thompson, Dallas Cowboys
• Antonio Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Pitre had 74 combined tackles, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 14 games. He helped Houston allow the fewest yards and second-fewest points as the team made the playoffs for the third straight year.

The Carolina Panthers' Tre'von Moehrig received a strong endorsement as well, with a defensive backs coach calling him "one of the most versatile players in the league."

"He can play safety, dime or nickel," the coach said. "Really good rusher. He can blitz, take on blocks like an OLB and an LB and can also be productive in the deep part of the field."

Moehrig provided a strong return in the first year of his $51 million contract. He was third on the team in both tackles (103) and sacks (three), adding one interception and two tackles.

Minkah Fitzpatrick's stock, however, is seriously sliding.

The three-time All-Pro was ninth in Fowler's 2025 ranking and failed to even get honorable mention status ahead of the 2026 season. His run of three straight Pro Bowls came to an end, and his rep probably suffered a bit from the Miami Dolphins going 7-10.

As a member of the New York Jets, Fitzpatrick may not be able to enjoy a lot more team success. He can at least reestablish himself as one of the NFL's better safeties.