Ranking possible free agent safety targets for the Packers in 2024
The Green Bay Packers can fix their need at safety before the 2024 NFL Draft even begins. This year's free agency class is loaded at the safety position, and the Packers have several options to find the help they need.
With more single-high coverages expected under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers must add players who fit the system.
Green Bay could wait until the draft, but it would be a risky strategy. Unless they select one of the top prospects, like Minnesota's Tyler Nubin, they could struggle to find a quality starter.
That's not an issue in free agency. The Packers have the opportunity to sign multiple starting safeties in the weeks ahead.
Top 5 safety targets for Packers in free agency, ranked
Rank | Name | 2023 team |
|---|---|---|
1 | Xavier McKinney | Giants |
2 | Jordan Fuller | Rams |
3 | Julian Blackmon | Colts |
4 | Justin Simmons | Broncos |
5 | Jordan Whitehead | Jets |
1. Xavier McKinney, Giants
Surprisingly, the Giants didn't use the franchise or transition tag on Xavier McKinney, allowing him to hit free agency. The Packers could reunite McKinney with their new defensive pass game coordinator, Derrick Ansley, who coached McKinney at Alabama.
The former second-round pick could play as a single-high safety or line up in the slot. His versatility would allow Hafley to move him around and disguise coverages.
Hafley wants his safeties to force turnovers. In McKinney's past two fully-healthy seasons, he made 21 pass defenses and eight interceptions. At 24 years old, his best football is still ahead of him.
2. Jordan Fuller, Rams
Jordan Fuller checks a lot of boxes. He would be an affordable option for the Packers in free agency and can make an immediate impact. Fuller is a good run defender and excellent in coverage, making eight pass defenses and three interceptions last season with the Rams.
Fuller has played under Jeff Hafley in the past and had high praise for his former defensive coordinator.
"I think his superpower is his mind and how he sees the game and how he understands the game," said Fuller, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.
3. Julian Blackmon, Colts
Julian Blackmon is another safety who offers a lot of versatility. The 25-year-old is coming off a career year with the Colts, having made eight pass defenses and four interceptions.
According to Pro Football Reference, Blackmon allowed zero touchdowns and a passer rating of just 46.6 in his coverage. He also missed only four tackles, with an impressive missed tackle percentage of 4.3.
4. Justin Simmons, Broncos
The Broncos had to make tough decisions to get under the 2024 salary cap, leading to them releasing four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons.
The 30-year-old can still make a difference, having made 36 pass defenses and 19 interceptions over the past four seasons. Simmons has experience playing as a single-high safety with the versatility to play at multiple positions and give the Packers an upgrade in the secondary.
5. Jordan Whitehead, Jets
Having come from a similar scheme under Robert Saleh in New York, Jordan Whitehead could fit well in Hafley's system.
Whitehead has made 89 career starts in six seasons for the Buccaneers and Jets. In 2023, he had nine pass defenses and four interceptions, although he did allow a career-high seven touchdowns in his coverage. Whitehead is a solid starter and another affordable option for the Packers in free agency.
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