In 2023, the Atlanta Falcons signed Jessie Bates in free agency and he immediately was a Second-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. Last offseason, the Green Bay Packers got Xavier McKinney, and he was a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in his first season with the new team.
It’s common to see buyer’s beware in free agency, but the recent track record with safeties should incentivize teams to invest in the position without so much concern.
And this year’s class brings several good options, including young and high-ceiling players.
This is our eleventh installment of the series to find out the top free agents at each position in 2025.
Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins considered a franchise tag here, but $18.6 million was ultimately too much money for one year, especially because the entire value would hit the cap at once. Holland had an elite season playing for Vic Fangio in 2023, but he’s been much more than a system merchant. He has been consistently good as an all-around player, but especially as a run defender. In coverage there are more ups and downs, but the ups are real. And he’s only 25.
Trevon Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders
After his rookie season in 2021, when he was an All-Rookie Team member, it was hard to imagine that the Raiders wouldn’t extend Moehrig before he hit free agency. And to be honest, you can certainly argue that the team should have extended him. He’s really good to stop the run and to tackle, even though coverage has been an issue sometimes. Moehrig has become more of a strong safety, which might affect his value, and played more inside the box last year than as a real deep safety.
Andre Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars
Talking about youngsters, Cisco is only 24. Unfortunately for himself, Cisco enters free agency coming off his worst NFL season in tough circumstances for the Jaguars. Still, he is a solid run defender and decent coverage player. In 2023, he had allowed an 83.9 passer rating when targeted, but the number went up to 125.7 in 2024. It might be an opportunity for a team to get a distressed asset with high-end potential.
Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers
Just like several 49ers players, Hufanga missed time with an injury in 2024 and played only seven games. Also young at 26, he is also a strong safety and might be considered more scheme-dependent because he doesn’t have the same level of athleticism than the other players on this list. However, he is extremely smart and efficient against the run.
Justin Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
Reid is the exception on this list because he’s already entering his third NFL contract after signing a three-year deal with the Chiefs in free agency back in 2022. He played his rookie deal for the Houston Texans after being a third-round pick. In KC, he was a big part of a dominant defense and won two championships. In Houston, he was a deep safety, but he’s played more in the box lately, being a competent all-around piece to fill out a secondary.
Other options: Julian Blackmon, Justin Simmons, Vonn Bell, Mike Edwards, Marcus Maye, Jordan Poyer, Quandre Diggs, Jeremy Chinn, Julian Blackmon, Xavier Woods, Marcus Epps, Jordan Whitehead.
