Although Antoine Winfield (non-exclusive) and Kyle Dugger (transition) were both given tags before Tuesday’s deadline, the NFL’s free agent safety class still looks strong as the start of the new league approaches.
The Green Bay Packers, with 2023 starters Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens all set to be free agents, might need a safety (or two) more than any team in the NFL.
Expect general manager Brian Gutekunst to go shopping at safety next week. There are a few big fish targets, a handful of capable starters, several others who played starting snaps in 2023 and plenty of experienced veterans. The Packers probably need to add at least one player they think can start right away for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley in 2024.
Here’s the list of top free agent safeties, sorted by current PFF ranking:
Kamren Curl, Commanders
Xavier McKinney, Giants
Geno Stone, Ravens
Julian Blackmon, Colts
Jordan Fuller, Rams
Jordan Whitehead, Jets
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Lions
DeShon Elliott, Dolphins
Tashaun Gipson, 49ers
Alohi Gilman, Chargers
Mike Edwards, Chiefs
Jeremy Chinn, Panthers
Micah Hyde, Bills
Jayron Kearse, Cowboys
Brandon Jones, Dolphins
Taylor Rapp, Bills
Kevin Byard, Eagles (released)
Eddie Jackson, Bears (released)
John Johnson III, Rams
Jamal Adams, Seahawks (released)
Quandre Diggs, Seahawks (released)
Gutekunst and his staff will have options. McKinney — a potentially perfect post safety for Hafley — might be the top prize. But Curl has Adrian Amos-like qualities, Stone intercepted seven passes in 2023, Fuller has ties to Hafley from Ohio State, Gipson was once coached by Hafley, Gilman looks like an ascending player and Blackmon and Whitehead are both solid and probably underrated players.
Who should the Packers pick in free agency to start rebuilding the safety position?