The NFL season just ended, but that doesn’t mean we’re finished talking about football. Truthfully, the NFL offseason can be one of the more exciting times in the sport, with free agency, the draft, and trades, not to mention the rumors and speculation swirling around these events. The legal tampering period for the NFL begins in under two weeks, on March 14, and the gold rush officially begins on March 16, so we don’t have much time left before free agency hits.

The safeties set to hit free agency this year include some heavy hitters and players who have been essential to their teams’ success. Don’t expect a lot of movement from most of these top players, but it can never be completely ruled out. Be on the lookout for any news from the following top free-agent safeties.
 

 

 

There may not be a defensive player who had more to do with their team’s success in the postseason this year than Jessie Bates. In those four games, Bates recorded two interceptions, broke up six passes, and made 20 tackles, including the critical interception of Ryan Tannehill in the AFC Divisional Round and the tipped pass from Patrick Mahomes that led to an interception in the Championship Round. Bates is set to get a huge contract, and the Bengals have the cap space to do it. He’s a franchise player, and the Bengals know that. 
 

 

 

Since signing with the Chiefs as a free agent in 2019, Tyrann Mathieu has been a cornerstone of their secondary. He’s had 70 or more tackles in each season from 2017 on, and even though he’s approaching 30, he’s shown no signs of slowing down. The Chiefs have a decent amount of cap space, but Mathieu is going to command a large contract, so that may mean parting ways with some of their other free agents to keep him. If they can’t come to an agreement, the Ravens need the secondary help and have the money to sign him, making it a logical landing spot for the Honey Badger.

 

 

 

 

After playing the 2021 season on a franchise tag, Marcus Wiliams may be too expensive for the Saints to re-sign with their salary cap issues. He’s not a tackle machine like most of the safeties on this list, only posting 57 last season, but he’s an efficient pass defender, making him a valuable asset. The Jaguars and Jets could both afford him, but if Kansas City lets Mathieu walk, they could also try and make a run at Williams.

 

 

 

Quandre Diggs struggled last season in his reception percentage, allowing 70 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed, but he also tallied five interceptions on the year. He’s a great complementary piece to Jamal Adams, and the Seahawks have plenty of cap space to sign Diggs to a long-term contract. However, if they decide to try and find a safety with more size and let Diggs go, the Lions, Jets, and Patriots could all take an interest in him.

 

 

 

The Dallas Cowboys brought in several pieces on one year deals to bulk up their defense in 2021 free agency, Jayron Kearse being one of them. Dallas’ scheme proved to be a great fit for him, and he ended up playing over 1,000 snaps for the first time in his career. He compiled 80 solo tackles on the season, and he also had a career low 3.9 percent mistackle percentage. Dallas needs to keep him, as Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal are also set to hit free agency, but with their cap issues, it will be difficult to do. Kearse’s time with the Cowboys greatly improved his game, and he will be sought after by safety-needy teams like the Jets and Jaguars.
 

 

 

NFL Top Free Agents By Position

Check out the rest of our Top 5 Free Agent series with breakdowns of each position on both offense and defense!

 

RELATED LINKS

Looking for the rest of the top unsigned free agents? Check out the links below for what's been published already: