2014 Safety Free Agent Breakdown

By: Matt Harmon

High-end starters

1)    T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns. Age: 27 *signed with Broncos*

• Ward has always been a solid player for the Browns, but he took his game to another level this season. Ward was one of the best safeties in the NFL in 2013. His best work comes when he is able to act as an extra linebacker and come down hill against the run. Though Ward is no slouch in coverage, or as an extra blitzer. Right in the prime of his career, T.J. Ward will command top dollar this offseason. Either from Cleveland or someone else. 
  

2)    Jarius Byrd, Buffalo Bills. Age: 27 *signed with Saints*

• After begrudgingly playing out this season on the franchise tag, Byrd seems likely to move on from the Bills. One of the true center field safeties in the NFL, Byrd would be a welcome addition anywhere. There is a chance his price tag will become outrageous, so that is a concern. Nevertheless, Byrd is a big difference maker and is one of the best at a weak position in the league right now. 
  

3)    Donte Whitner, San Francisco 49ers. Age: 29 *signed with Browns*

• It sure seems like Dashon Goldson was the main culprit behind the 49ers trouble with the deep ball in 2012. Donte Whitner had an excellent 2013 season with Goldson out of the picture. Whitner was much better in coverage, and we all know about his love for the big hit. At this point, he is equal parts deep defender and enforcer. He needs to cool down with the “Hitner” business, but he is a very good player. If a team misses out on Byrd or Ward, Whitner represents a solid contingency plan. 
  

Good starters

1)    Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions. Age: 26 *signed with Dolphins*

• When a new coaching staff comes in, sometimes they end up dumping players just like Delmas. A talented player, Delmas still comes with plenty of warts. He has had injury issues, and sometimes plays without great discipline on the field. Delmas likely represented the "old Lions" a bit too much for the new staff's tastes, so he was handed his walking papers. He can still start for another team, if they are willing to accept less than sixteen games from him

2)   James Ihedigbo, Baltimore Ravens. Age: 30 *signed with Lions*

• Ihedigbo has bounced around a bit, but was very good for the Ravens this season. He is a limited player; more of a strong safety type than anything. Ihedigbo doesn’t have the best instincts or awareness in coverage, and it’s not a strength of his game. He is very good at coming downhill and attacking what is in front of him. The veteran really took over the role of “tone-setter” from Bernard Pollard in the Ravens secondary. A team can field Ihedigbo as a starter, as long as they feel comfortable with his role. 
  

3)    Chris Clemons, Miami Dolphins. Age: 28 *signed with Texans*

• Clemons has generally been a pretty solid starting safety during his years in the NFL. He isn’t overly physical, or a big factor against the run, but he can cover the deep middle. With such a dearth of high-end safety talent in the league right now, Clemons will likely fetch a nice deal. 
  

Solid Contributors

1)    Mike Mitchell, Carolina Panthers. Age: 27 *signed with Steelers*

• You probably remember Mitchell because you laughed when the Raiders took the unknown Ohio University product in the second round. However, Mitchell turned in a really nice season for the Carolina Panthers this season. He was solid in coverage, and turned in a number of big plays, particularly on blitzes. Mitchell’s over-aggressive tendencies can get the better of him and its not uncommon to see him over pursue plays. Still, Mitchell has proved himself as a starting caliber safety who can excel in the right situation. 

2)    Bernard Pollard, Tennessee Titans. Age: 29 *re-signed with Titans*

• Pollard has had issues sticking with a team in his career. His flaws are pretty well known at this point. He struggles in coverage, and his mouth sometimes gets him in trouble. All that being said, there is a place for Pollard in the NFL. You just cannot stretch him too far out of his comfortable role. 
  

3)    Usama Young, Oakland Raiders. Age: 29 *re-signed with Raiders*

• After he failed to develop into a starter with the Saints, Young has carved out a solid NFL career. He is a poor man’s version of a centerfielder. Young can be a play a part in someone’s secondary next season. If he had to start, well, you could do much worse. 

4)    Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans Saints. Age: 26 *signed with the Eagles*

• Jenkins is an odd player. He has flashed Pro Bowl potential at times, but still looks lost too often. He is still pretty young, and relatively new to the safety position. Perhaps a change of scenery would do this former cornerback some good. With most teams in desire for a corner/safety hybrid to play in their nickel, Jenkins could be coveted. 
  

5)    Antoine Bethea, Indianapolis Colts. Age: 30 *signed with 49ers*

• This former stud safety really fell of the map in 2013. Bethea looked downright bad far too often for someone with his impressive resume. At 30 years old, he isn’t exactly over the hill just yet. Perhaps this season was just a down year. It’s worth finding out on a relatively cheap short-term deal. 
  

Role Players

1)    Thomas DeCoud, Atlanta Falcons. Age: 28

• The Falcons overpaid for Thomas DeCoud coming off his six interception campaign in 2012, and were forced to release him. He is one of the few true free safeties on the market, so he will get some attention. He's not the Pro Bowl player he was in 2012, or the total liability he was in 2013. The answer is somewhere in the middle.

2)    Charles Woodson, Oakland Raiders. Age: 37 *re-signed with Raiders*

• Woodson was a question mark when he was a late addition to the Raiders roster, but he made a big impact. The veteran played a ton of snaps for Oakland at safety, and was mostly effective. If he has another year left in him, he can help a contender. 

3)   Roman Harper, New Orleans Saints. Age: 31*signed with Panthers*

• The former Pro Bowler is an extremely limited player. Roman Harper cannot cover well, and his aggressive style of play causes him to blow an assignment now and again. He can still see limited snaps as a box safety. He defends the run alright, and is a very good blitzing safety.  

4)    Quintin Mikell, Carolina Panthers. Age: 33

• Another late addition that filled in nicely. Mikell signed with the Panthers after the preseason concluded, and ended up playing a big role. He was a positive presence near the line of scrimmage. The Panthers would probably like him back on another cheap one-year deal. 

5)    Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Steelers. Age: 34 *signed with Redskins*

• The Steelers saw their veteran safety’s play nosedive this season. Clark is very likely at the end of the road, but maybe he has one last year of limited snaps in him. He should no longer be considered a starter.

6)    Taylor Mays, Cincinnati Bengals. Age: 26 *re-signed with Bengals*

• Mays was lost for the season early on. It’s unfortunate because he was reportedly having a decent training camp for the Bengals. Mays can play a hybrid safety/linebacker role. 
  

7)    Steve Gregory, New England Patriots. Age: 31

• The Patriots released the Steve Gregory, because he salary was quite bloated for his role. He can be a solid contributor on special teams, and can give a few decent snaps on defense. The fact that a player like this sees significant snaps is a statement on the current state of safety play in the NFL. 

8)   Darian Stewart, St. Louis Rams. Age: 26 *signed with Ravens*

• Darian Stewart is a fine safety who won’t get you killed if he has to see the field. He is ideally a backup, third option type, but given the lack of great safety play, he might end up starting. 

9)    Yeremiah Bell, Arizona Cardinals. Age: 36

• Bell is probably at the end of his long career. He can play a few snaps as an in-the-box safety, but that is about it. He became saw the field too much the past two seasons. 
  

Diamond in the Rough

1)    Stevie Brown, New York Giants. Age: 26 *re-signed with Giants*

• The young safety is busy rehabbing from a torn ACL. Last time Brown was on the field, he was in the midst of an eight interception season. That number fools people into believing he is a Pro Bowler, but he is a fine player in his own right. He can start, or excel as a rotational third safety. Either way, Brown is likely going to come very cheap in the wake of his injury, and at only 26, adding him is well worth the risk to see what he has to contribute. 

2)    Rafael Bush, New Orleans Saints. Age: 27 (RFA) *tendered by Saints (UDFA)*

• Bush was a part time player in Rob Ryan’s defense, but flashed when he was on the field. He profiles as a big, physical safety presence. He is a restricted free agent, so that complicates things. If the Saints tag him with anything less than a third-round tender, other teams should definitely be interested. Bush might have a bright future. 

QB--RB--FB--WR--TE--OT--OG--C--Int. DL--Edge Plyr.--LB--CB--S--K/P

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