Top Free Agent Safeties
Andrew Mason's free agency countdown concludes with a talented crop of safeties. (Associated Press)
Once he got adjusted to the NFL after being a second-round pick out of Florida International, he became more assertive and by last season was one of the league's best safeties against the run.
With Chandler Jones getting the franchise tag, there might not be enough room for the Cardinals to keep Jefferson, who rose from the undrafted ranks in 2013 to being one of the best young run-stopping safeties in the league.
Other teams could offer more money than the Cowboys, and Church told the Dallas Morning News that money is a "big priority" in determining where he will end up. But he also said playing for a contender and playing with a team that gives the safeties a lot of pre-snap responsibility also matters, and the Cowboys can offer that.
From his work as a nickel safety as a rookie on San Diego's last playoff team to his strong last month in 2016, Addae overcame injuries and tumult around him to show solid range in the secondary.
Best known to Broncos fans for an overzealous celebration in a joint practice with the Texans that incited a fight and a concussion-inducing hit on Wes Welker at the end of that week, Swearinger plays to the edge of legal bounds -- and beyond -- but is a fearsome presence in the secondary.
If McDonald and Trumaine Johnson both departed in free agency, the Rams would have little talent left on the back end. But at the same time, McDonald also has some off-field issues; he entered a guilty plea on a charge of reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol last month, and could face a league suspension.
McDougald was quietly ubiquitous in the Bucs' secondary last year, notching 91 tackles and 10 passes defensed. Tampa Bay would be wise to consider re-signing McDougald, because he should come at a reasonable price and has no glaring weaknesses.
No safety had more interceptions last season than Demps, who turns 32 in June but should get a better contract than the one-year, $1.5 million deal he had last year. His age will likely prevent him from being a first-wave signee, but he's had the two best seasons of his career the last two years and can be effective for a while if he stays healthy.
The former Bronco continues to deliver solid play, and ha missed just four games in the past eight seasons, so he's durable. Age (34 next month) is the only negative, but if the Colts don't re-sign him, his steadiness and leadership should ensure he lands somewhere in the second or third wave of free agency.
The Cowboys could retain Wilcox as a lower-cost alternative to Barry Church, but if not, the solid Wilcox should be able to land a starting gig elsewhere.
Perhaps the most versatile defensive back on the market, Hyde can play the slot cornerback, the outside corner and safety. Although he doesn't have the best speed, he anticipates well and is a threat on safety and corner blitzes.
Harmon played well when used, but the question that will linger revolves around whether he can step up to being an every-down safety. Even when he started all three playoff games, he still played just 58 percent of the snaps.
Stafford was solid, but unspectacular, and by the end of the season was a sub-package safety. With plenty of draft possibilities, Tennessee might look there for a partner with second-year safety Kevin Byard.
Terrell held up well for a while in place of Earl Thomas, but the Falcons picked on him in the divisional round, and he was unable to keep pace and react to open targets on the outside. If he can use that game as a leading experience, he still has upside.
A versatile backup, the Chiefs need to retain Sorensen as an insurance policy in case things go astray with Eric Berry as they work towards a long-term deal.
Allen started just seven of the 19 games he played for Oakland the last two seasons, dealing with injuries along the way. The Raiders re-signed him last year after releasing him, but such an outcome seems unlikely this time around.
After starting all 30 regular-season games in which he played during the 2014-15 seasons with Arizona, Johnson started just seven of 14 games in which he suited up with the Titans. Kevin Byard, a Titans' third-round pick last year, supplanted Johnson in the lineup in November, and there doesn't appear to be a place for Johnson in Tennessee going forward.
Poyer had a decent season after stepping in following the departure of Tashaun Gipson and the decision to release Donte Whitner, but with a deep safety class, the Browns might find better quality in a rookie replacement. They might bring him back on a modest contract.
His Pro Bowl days are probably behind him, as he looks to have lost a half-step since his 49ers prime led to a $28 million contract from San Francisco in 2014, but he can still provide leadership and could benefit from better complements in the secondary.
