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NFL: Top 10 safeties ahead of the 2018 season

By Keegan Jackish

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) /
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(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

5. Tyrann Mathieu (Houston Texans)

Signing Tyrann Mathieu at the price the Texans did was one of the best moves of the offseason. He will be in the All-Pro discussion at the end of the season, as long as he can stay healthy. HIs versatility is a huge reason why he is in the top five of these rankings. Don’t sleep on “Honey Badger”.

4. Micah Hyde (Buffalo Bills)

The Bills made one of the best free agent acquisitions in recent seasons when they signed Micah Hyde. Hyde played a key role in ending the Bills’ horrendous playoff drought, and he could be even better this season. Letting Hyde walk has been a disaster for the Packers.

3. Earl Thomas (Seattle Seahawks)

Thomas is an extraordinary football player, but I am concerned with his attitude. I understand and encourage player mobility, and I wish the NFL was more like the MLB or NBA in that way.

I still don’t see how calling out your team publicly is a good idea in this situation. I am sure Earl Thomas has a great agent who can negotiate a good deal with John Schneider. I doubt Seattle would want to franchise tag someone that doesn’t want to be there, if he is that disgruntled over his contract, especially since they are rebuilding their entire defense right now.

Despite all of this negativity, Thomas is one of the best defensive players in the game. I just hope his contract situation gets resolved before the regular season starts, this Seahawks team can’t afford too many more distractions.

2. Eric Berry (Kansas City Chiefs)

Berry could have been number one on this list if he were healthy last year. If he manages to rebound and recover from his gruesome injury, he will be one of the game’s best defensive players. Berry is an incredible leader who could be in Canton when it’s all said and done.

1. Harrison Smith (Minnesota Vikings)

Smith is a truly special and transcendent defensive talent. He is the most versatile player on this list as he excels in both stopping the pass (he tied his career-high five interceptions last year) and in run support.

Smith is the best player on one of the league’s best defenses. The Vikings have another Paul Krause-like talent at the safety position with Harrison Smith.

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

Click here for an archive of my positional rankings.

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