NFL: Top 10 safeties ahead of the 2018 season
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Torrey Smith #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a third quarter touchdown past Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Torrey Smith #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a third quarter touchdown past Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Flombardiave-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F07-2F908522806-850x560-57ab639ad9da18529c66b95c115b5d8b501bdb040f8f1e94a5cc5aeb8ba21fb7.jpg)
Future Five
Ronnie Harrison (Jacksonville Jaguars): Harrison was one of the best safeties coming out of college in this year’s draft. Jacksonville was smart to grab him where they did, and I believe that he will be a solid player on one of the league’s best defenses very soon. It’s hard not to trust defensive players that come out of Alabama.
Eddie Jackson (Chicago Bears): Jackson had a solid rookie season last year. Jackson and Adrian Amos make up one of the best young safety pairings in the league. This Bears defense will improve in 2018 and Jackson will be a big reason for that.
Budda Baker (Arizona Cardinals): Baker may have to step up a bit in 2018 now that Tyrann Mathieu is gone, but I think he is up to the challenge. Baker is a smart and instinctive safety who should benefit from the addition of defensive-orientated coach Steve Wilks.
Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers): The LA Chargers made one of the smartest moves of the 2018 draft when they drafted James, who should have been a top 10 pick. The Chargers already have one of the league’s best defenses, and it’s crazy to imagine how good their secondary will be with names like Casey Hayward, James, and Jason Verrett in it.
Minkah Fitzpatrick (Miami Dolphins): Fitzpatrick was a great pick for Miami. They needed a leader and someone that would make a real difference in stopping the pass. Fitzpatrick is that guy. The safety pairing of Fitzpatrick and Reshad Jones will become one of the best in the league within a few seasons. Don’t sleep on Fitzpatrick’s ability as a slot corner either.