Summary

  • Safeties are often overlooked but play a significant role in defense, patrolling the deep secondary and making plays.
  • Micah Hyde, Tyrann Mathieu, and Minkah Fitzpatrick are some of the best safeties in Madden 24.
  • These safeties excel in different areas such as zone coverage, play recognition, speed, acceleration, and tackling, making them valuable assets for any defense.

Finding success on the defensive side of the ball doesn’t end with applying pressure on the quarterback. Besides winning the battle at the line of scrimmage, safeties are key but overlooked players that provide a significant impact on defense.

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While safeties don’t typically cover top receivers, they’re in charge of surveying the field and essentially float around on defense looking for an opportunity to make a play. In Madden 24, the top safeties have a combined skill set of speed and power as they patrol the deep secondary. We take a look at the best safeties in the game and how they can be the missing piece on defense.

10 Micah Hyde - 89

After establishing himself as a quality safety with the Green Bay Packers, Micah Hyde became a cornerstone of the Buffalo Bills. While he was only selected to one Pro Bowl throughout his 10-year career, Hyde is a solid safety who began his career as a cornerback before switching positions.

Like other safeties, Hyde has above-average speed (88) and acceleration (89) to quickly maneuver around the field. He specializes in zone coverage (91) compared to man (84), though his ability to press (83) receivers at the line is one of the best at the position. Hyde’s true value stands out in his ability to recognize plays (96) and remain aware (95) on the field.

9 Jordan Poyer - 90

Not only did the Buffalo Bills add Micah Hyde in the 2017 offseason, but they also acquired Jordan Poyer to complete their deep secondary. Poyer was coming off an injury-riddled season with the Cleveland Browns but instantly made an impact for the Bills. Since joining the Bills in 2017, Poyer has only missed six total games.

Similar to Hyde, Poyer is far better at defending in zone schemes (94) than man-to-man (90). Across the board, Poyer is equal to his partner in the Bills secondary and boasts high marks in awareness (92) and play recognition (91). While the Bills may not have the hardest-hitting safeties or the fastest, they certainly have two of the smartest safeties in Poyer and Hyde.

8 Harrison Smith - 90

During the offseason, there was worry that the Minnesota Vikings and longtime safety Harrison Smith would part ways. However, the two sides were able to come together on a restructured contract, which is great news for the Vikings' defense. In his 11-year career with Minnesota, Smith has six Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro nomination.

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Although Smith has missed at least one game in half the seasons in his career, he boasts one of the highest injury ratings (95) among safeties. He performs significantly better in zone coverage (86) compared to man (75) but no matter what defensive schemes Minnesota operates, Smith possesses incredible power (93) that rocks offensive players.

7 Budda Baker - 90

After an extremely brief window of competitiveness, the Arizona Cardinals are essentially back to square one and are undergoing a semi-rebuild. Many expected Budda Baker to be on the chopping block, but the Cardinals elected to retain the All-Pro safety as a solid veteran presence in the locker room.

On the field, Baker is one of the best strong safeties in the NFL. He has the highest ratings in speed (91) and acceleration (92), allowing him to cover large portions of the field with ease. His high change of direction (90) helps him adjust on the fly to pursue (88) ballhandlers. At 26 years old, Baker could elevate his game a bit more but Arizona’s safety is enjoying the prime of his career.

6 Tyrann Mathieu - 91

Following a rejuvenating three-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2019 to 2021, Tyrann Mathieu found a new home with the New Orleans Saints. The 10-year pro was a major factor for Kansas City’s defense in their Super Bowl run in 2020, as he recorded a career-high six interceptions that season.

Mathieu has solid speed (89) like many of the other safeties, but what separates him from the rest is his ability to press (87) receivers at the line of scrimmage. By using his high toughness (94), Mathieu can knock receivers off their intended routes and give the defensive line more time to apply pressure on the quarterback. Mathieu is also extremely useful on special teams with the highest return (84) mark among safeties.

5 Jessie Bates III - 91

After establishing himself as one of the top safeties in the game, Jessie Bates III signed a massive contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The former Cincinnati Bengals defender was a catalyst in the team reaching the Super Bowl in 2021 and will be looked upon to help stabilize an erratic Atlanta defense.

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Over the course of his five years in the league, Bates III has only missed two games, making him one of the healthiest (92) safeties out there. He hauled in a career-high four interceptions last season, which was mostly attributed to his high awareness (95) rating. He’s able to quickly assess what play the offense is running (94) and simply be in the right place at the right time.

4 Kevin Byard - 92

The Tennessee Titans are known for developing standout defensive players, and we can add Kevin Byard to the list. Byard quickly made a name for himself in his second season intercepting eight passes and receiving First-Team All-Pro honors. Throughout his seven-year career, Byard only has two seasons where he secured less than four interceptions.

When Byard isn’t intercepting or deflecting passes, he’s ensuring the ball carrier doesn’t gain more yards. Among safeties, Byard has the highest tackle rating (82) so if the ball carrier manages to break into the secondary, Byard’s the perfect player you want at safety to stop them. He also boasts the highest injury rating (97) which allows him to remain healthy on the field longer than others.

3 Justin Simmons - 92

Entering his eighth season with the Denver Broncos, Justin Simmons has elevated his game to be considered one of the best safeties in the league. In 2022, Simmons led the NFL with six interceptions and managed to force a career-high three fumbles.

Simmons is a relentless defender who doesn’t seem to run out of energy (95) and is extremely agile (94). If the offense manages to reach the red zone, the field shrinks considerably, and passing lanes are narrower. Quarterbacks might attempt to lob passes for their receivers, but Simmons has strong legs to jump (96) just as high to break up the pass.

2 Minkah Fitzpatrick - 93

An NFL defense is occupied by two safeties like cornerbacks, but there’s a bit more of a difference between the two safeties than just considering what side of the field they’re covering. Free safeties are smaller players but tend to be one of the faster defenders, while strong safeties are taller players with the strength needed to tackle larger players.

Minkah Fitzpatrick checks in as the best free safety in the NFL, as he leads the position in speed (91) and acceleration (92). Fitzpatrick is coming off a career-high six interceptions and a third All-Pro nomination, as he locks down the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary. His blazing speed allows him to zoom around the field, making him the best zone-covering (95) safety in the game.

1 Derwin James Jr. - 95

The best safety in Madden 24 is Derwin James Jr. of the Los Angeles Chargers. While Joey Bosa is causing havoc at the line of scrimmage, James Jr. is patrolling the secondary. Drafted in 2018, James Jr. finished second for Defensive Rookie of the Year, though he was selected to the Pro Bowl and received First-Team All-Pro honors. He missed the entire 2020 season with a knee injury but managed to return to his high-performing days and was named to two more Pro Bowls.

As a strong safety, James Jr. utilizes both speed and strength in being one of the NFL’s top defensive superstars. Among safeties, he has the highest ratings in speed (91), acceleration (92), strength (77), and stamina (95). He favors zone coverage (90) but does have the ability to press receivers (83) well at the line to disrupt their early movement. James Jr.’s only flaw is his high chance of getting injured (86), but if he manages to stay healthy, there isn’t a better safety in Madden 24 than the one in Los Angeles.

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