The 2020 NFL offseason has begun and teams are already making key decisions. Here are the top safeties that could hit the open market on March 18.
It’s safe to say that the safety positions (strong and free) have gotten their due in recent years and understandably so. In an era where the passing game continues to be stressed, these are some of the busiest and most productive player on the field.
In fact, this summer in Canton, Ohio, there will be quite the representation of talent at these spots. All told, five of the 15 players being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Famer in August – Steve Atwater (Broncos and Jets), Bobby Dillon (Packers), Cliff Harris (Cowboys) and two different generations of Steelers in Troy Polamalu and Donnie Shell – made their mark at these vital spots in the secondary.
But that was then. And on March 18, there could be some very talented players on the move then it comes to these areas in the secondary. Here are arguably the best five safeties that could test free agency in roughly a month. And it’s worth noting that four of these performers are among the top eight players at the positions via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
5. FS Jimmie Ward (San Francisco 49ers)
If 49ers’ safety Jimmie Ward is done with the franchise that made him the 30th overall pick in 2014, at least he got to finish his days with the franchise on the NFL’s biggest stage. Granted, the club came up short in Super Bowl LIV to the Kansas City Chiefs. But that’s little solace to a six-year pro that made a career-high 13 starts this past year and played in at least 10 games for the first time since 2016.
Ward also came up with a personal-best 60 tackles, to go along with one sack at eight passes defensed. During the Niners’ three-game playoff run, he finished second on the club with a combined 17 stops and one forced fumbles. So is he in San Francisco’s plans going forward? His history of injuries (32 games missed) may work against him with the team and or any future employer in terms of a long term deal.