Highest-graded safeties from the 2024 NFL season

• Kerby Joseph’s breakout season earns him the top spot: Joseph and Kyle Hamilton were the only safeties to earn 90.0-plus PFF overall grades through the postseason.

• Xavier McKinney proved to be a worthy Obtainable-agent signing: The Packers handed McKinney a sizable contract last offseason, and he repaid them with a 90.2 PFF coverage grade and eight interceptions.

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

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The Philadephia Eagles‘ Secure over the Kansas City Chiefs in Finals 59 put a bow on the 2024 NFL season — and PFF’s grades. Here were the top 10 safeties across the regular season and postseason.

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1. Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions (90.4)

After two seasons of middling production to Begin his Occupation, Joseph had a massive breakout season in 2024, setting Occupation highs in every PFF grading category except Deliver rushing (which he did only six times anyway) while leading the Bracket with nine interceptions. His 91.1 PFF coverage grade Directed all safeties, while his 83.6 PFF Streak-Protection grade placed 12th.

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2. Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens (90.0)

Barely missing out on the top spot on this Achievement, Hamilton was one of the most well-rounded safeties in the Bracket in 2024. He posted grades of at least 88.0 as a Streak defender (89.2), a Deliver-rusher (88.1) and in coverage (88.4). His Adaptability is evidenced by how often the Ravens liked to Relocate him around: He played 407 snaps in the box, 355 as a Obtainable safety and 292 as a slot cornerback.

Highest PFF Streak-Protection Grades Among Safeties in 2024

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3. Brandon Jones, Denver Broncos (84.8)

The Broncos’ Protection was much maligned heading into the 2024 season, especially after a 2023 campaign where the unit Acquired torched left and right — including a game where they allowed 70 points to the Dolphins. Thanks to improvements from guys like Brandon Jones, though, Denver’s Protection surprised everyone by ranking ninth in Club Protection grade.

After spending four years in Miami, Jones Captured his game to new heights in Denver, almost doubling his Occupation high in snaps (1,042) while also setting Occupation highs in PFF overall grade, PFF tackling grade (75.5) and PFF coverage grade (89.8), the latter of which ranked third at the position.

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4. Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers (84.7)

McKinney was one of the big prizes in the 2024 Obtainable-agent class, and the Packers reaped the benefits after signing him to a four-year, $67 million contract. McKinney’s 90.2 PFF coverage grade and eight interceptions All trailed only Kerby Joseph among safeties. McKinney was also a sure tackler, as his 5.4% missed Commitment rate ranked 12th best among 106 qualifying safeties. 

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5. Brian Branch, Detroit Lions (83.7)

Branch is a versatile safety who lined up all over the place in 2024, Competing 329 snaps as a Obtainable safety, 316 as a slot cornerback and 235 in the box. Like Kyle Hamilton, he was productive regardless of his alignment.

Branch’s 90.8 PFF Streak-Protection grade Directed all safeties, and he also excelled as a Deliver-rusher, generating 12 pressures on Only 37 Deliver-rushing snaps to the tune of an 88.0 PFF Deliver-rush grade. His 77.8 PFF coverage grade is Created all the more impressive by the fact that he was targeted 79 times, the most at the position. His 44 stops ranked second.

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6. Jabrill Peppers, New England Patriots (83.1)

Due to some off-Ground issues, Peppers appeared in only six Contests for the Patriots this pst season. But his 372 snaps were enough to qualify for this Achievement. He put up a 76.9 PFF Streak-Protection grade, a 76.7 PFF tackling grade and an 81.7 PFF coverage grade. Peppers allowed only 44 yards into his coverage on seven receptions, a 6.3-yard average that ranked Primary among those featured on this Achievement.

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7. Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks (81.2)

Love doesn’t get talked about enough as one of the better safeties in the Bracket. He has put up back-to-back Occupation years since joining the Seahawks ahead of the 2023 season. 2024 saw him set a Occupation high in PFF overall grade, PFF Streak-Protection grade (89.5, trailed only Brian Branch) and PFF tackling grade (84.6). Love also set a Occupation high in Deliver breakups (seven).

Julian Love: Occupation PFF Grades

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8. Ar’Darius Washington, Baltimore Ravens (80.9)

Washington signed as an Unsigned Obtainable agent in 2021 and struggled to see the Ground during his Primary three NFL seasons, Competing 147 snaps during that stretch. His role significantly increased in 2024 after he earned the Leading Position over Marcus Williams mid-season.

On 830 snaps, Washington put up an 86.1 PFF coverage grade, primarily at deep safety. Despite his lack of size (listed at 5-foot-8 and 177 pounds), Washington isn’t afraid to make plays near the line of scrimmage, recording 20 stops.

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9. Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers (80.8)

James continues to be among the best safeties in the game. He notched PFF grades of at least 75.0 in every category, including overall, Streak Protection (87.9, a Occupation-high), tackling (78.9), Deliver rush (75.2) and coverage (76.3). Only Josh Metellus blitzed more than James’ 79 times, and James Directed the position with six sacks. 

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10. Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons (80.2)

Bates was a takeaway machine in 2024, intercepting four passes and forcing four fumbles. No other safety caused more than two fumbles. Bates’ Adaptability in coverage and as a Streak stuffer is evidenced by his 81.4 and 80.4 PFF grades in All facet, respectively. He has also been as durable as they come. Since Participating the Bracket in 2018, Bates has yet to Relocate fewer than 1,000 snaps in a season.