Top Five Greatest Safeties In NFL History

Hello everyone! AskQuestionsLater here with a countdown of the greatest Safeties to ever step foot onto a football field. As per every list like this, there in specific criteria that has to be met. To ensure that their is no confusion and distension among those who will read, here will be my criteria as shown below. They are as follows;



Performance:

The hallmark of any list like this. However, just merely having good stats in the critical areas such as INT's or Pass Deflections is only a part of the equation. To make the list, one has to go above and beyond their position. No exceptions.


Accolades:

Tying into performance somewhat although not entirely. Like performance, this is also a hallmark to make the list. Unlike performance though, this is where the amount of awards does factor in. Keep in mind this list will allocate more towards total All Pro Selections as opposed to Pro Bowls. All Pro honors are far more difficult to obtain and showcase that said player, based on their totals, was a dominant player over not just a flashpoint within their era but among the greatest in said era as well. In addition, Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowls will also be accounted for.


Impact:

Why did teams fear said player?! What did said player bring to their respective defense?! How did that player change the course of the game?! Could this player be counted upon to change the outcome of games?! Questions like these and more must be answered for a player to secure a spot.


Legacy:


There are a many a safety that have played in the 101 Year History of the NFL. Few have ever made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Of course, these five oh most certainly have. However, even among the greats, even fewer revolutionized the position that brought forth immense change within league rules and team philosophies from both Offensive and Defensive standpoints.





More often that not, this criteria is used by the media without question. However, in terms of importance of where these categories belong, that is where division among writers occur. For me, greatness is going to be such no matter what order said criteria is in; era's included. Be that as it may, players are ranked based on these merits. As such, we shall use this as our basis and begin the countdown. However, before we begin and, as always, a disclaimer;



"These written statements by the author do not reflect nor are shared opinions of members of TheSteelersFans Message Board, Staff Members and/or Site Administrator."




Let us kick this list off at Number Five with a player not many people remember due to the inability of him making a single NFL Post Season Game. Despite this, he would become a fore runner for what was to come for the future of the Safety position. In addition, the NFL honored him right by making him a member of the NFL's All Time 75th Anniversary Team; the 100th All Time Team soon thereafter. Coming in at Number Five is...








Larry Wilson: Free Safety of the St. Louis Cardinals (1960-1972)



Considered too small to play in the NFL at the time in 1959 when he was drafted, Larry Wilson would move with his team, the then St. Louis Cardinals, in 1960. From there, then St. Louis Cardinals Head Coach Chuck Durlis would end up employing a defensive game plan that would see usage six decades later. That defensive assignment by the Safety is now known as the "Safety Blitz" but was known as "WildCat" back during 1960. That was the name given because Larry Wilson's nickname was, well, "WildCat". From 1960-1972, Larry Wilson would make a name for himself as he earned seven total All Pro Nominations; six First Team All Pro from 1963 then to 1966-1970 and one Second Team All Pro award in 1965. Having eight Pro Bowl nominations from 1962, 1963 initially and then 1965 to 1970 is not too bad either He won the big one in the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1966. In that same season, WildCat was the NFL Interceptions leader; 10 total to his credit. However, one of the most remembered aspects about WildCat Wilson was his toughness. From broken bones to ripped tendons, Mr. Wilson showcased that the Free Safety spot was not the contact free position some thought at the time. Again, Mr. Wilson would not see any Post Season success sans the now defunct and ill remembered Playoff Bowl; a game for third place in the league at the time. However, one impressive statistic that remains true about Mr. Wilson is that he would still be on the books of the St. Louis Cardinals until 2003; long after the relocation of the team in 1988. Even after his retirement in 1972, Mr. Wilson would then go on to become a prominent member within the Cardinals Organization; first serving as a Scouting Director from 1973 to 1976 and then all the way up to Vice President from 1994-2002. However, Mr. Wilson's call to Canton would not be long though; becoming the first Safety in the NFL/AFL Merger to be voted in on his first year in 1978. He ended his career with 52 total INT's with 800 total yards to his credit and five Defensive Touchdowns. Sadly though, being the God Father of the Blitzing Safety does not reflect as the NFL did not record sacks until 1982. Even so, his pioneering of the Safety Blitz would be a foundation for what teams would want in a safety during his prime and after his retirement.




While some may have selected the likes of Brian Dawkins, Steve Atwater, Ken Houston or even Jack Christiansen, without the likes of "WildCat" Wilson, the Safety position may have not gained as much versatility as it does to this day. Sure, Jack may have been more versatile, Steve was more violent, Brian had the longer career and even Ken Houston had more total All Pro Awards and more Pro Bowl awards. However and again, when it comes to this list, one has to go above and beyond their position in some form or fashion for a sustained period of time. WildCat Wilson was just that and more. For his contribution and innovation to the game itself, he deserves a spot on this list.





The blitzing safety is now considered a main stay staple in what all NFL Coaches would want in the complete safety. However, WildCat Wilson would be the only Free Safety to truly take full usage of this until Brian Dawkins would enter the fray; still the only Safety in NFL History to have more than 25 Sacks and 30 or more INT's in his career. While those numbers for Mr. Dawkins, doubly so given his illustrious career, he could not grab the big one in Defensive Player of the Year Award. In addition, while five Total All Pro Awards are noteworthy, it still was not enough as a whole to propel him into the fourth slot.



Coincidentally, somersaulting his way into the fourth spot on the Top Five Greatest Safeties Ever is the only Strong Safety on the list. Many of us often think the Free Safety position is the position to go to for Pass Coverage. Since this mans retirement in 2015, NFL Teams have changed their tune on the historically Run Support based position. Much like WildCat Wilson but different, this player was considered too short to play such a demanding position. However, with arguably some of the greatest athleticism on the list, he proved the tried and true statement that "it is not the size of the dog that matters but the fight of the dog". Screaming off the edge at the C Gap at Number Four is.....










Troy Polamalu: Strong Safety For the Pittsburgh Steelers (2003-2014)




The general consensus is that, usually when such lists are conducted, only the likes of Ken Houston deserve to be within this range. The logic is sound as Houston outlasted Troy by two Seasons, has far more Pro Bowl Votes, has far more All Pro Votes and is considered by many to the God Father of all Strong Safeties. By virtue of those variables, Ken Houston should be on this list. However, what Polamalu lacks in both Pro Bowl's and All Pro's, he makes up for in having two Lombardi's in addition to having that all important NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. Before we continue with how Troy won those awards, let us observe Troy from his early beginnings.



Beginning in the 2003 Season, Pittsburgh needed a play maker. One that would place the Defense back into a Championship Caliber Defense the same vein his predecessors in Rod Woodson, Mel Blount and Donnie Shell did before him. More importantly, like the former two in Woodson and Blount, revolutionize the position again. As a result, Pittsburgh, a risk-averse Team, ended up trading up to acquire Troy Polamalu with the 16th pick. While the team needed him to deliver big, he would not do so in his Rookie Season. However, that would change in year two, earning his first Pro Bowl Award and his First All Pro Award as a Second Team All Pro. From there, Troy's career took off; capturing a First Team All Pro Award in 2005; one of four in his career in addition to adding a Super Bowl title to Pittsburgh; fulfilling his draft stock to cement Pittsburgh as a Defensive Super Power in the NFL. For that matter, for the rest of the decade, him and his rival in Ed Reed would trade spots for the Number One Defense for the rest of the decade. Within this time however, Troy was continuing on the legacy that WildCat Wilson left behind... albeit on a scale never before seen. For the first time in NFL History, an NFL Defense would be constructed around a position that had been historically known to be a liability in coverage sans a few exceptions. However, Troy was more than just a mere exception. For the first time in NFL History, a Defensive Coordinator would allow a Strong Safety to be unrestrained and unbound by the traditional chain of command given by the Free Safety. In short?! Troy Polamalu is the only Safety on this list and the only Safety in NFL History to be given free reign to do whatever he wanted. Part of this was thanks to being the fastest Strong Safety during his time at 4.33 seconds. The other aspect was having the greatest instincts within the line of scrimmage the game had ever seen. From pre snap dianosis to his abilities to time the snap, Troy's primary function would become the foundation for what was to come to revolutionize the Strong Safety position by playing everywhere and anywhere within the defense. Overall, 32 INT's, Three Defensive Touchdowns, 14 Forced Fumbles and 12 sacks are not numbers that seem worthy of the Hall of Fame but the timing at which they occured more than make up for the lack of.




After earning his final Second Team All Pro Award in 2007, Troy would end up capturing another First Team All Pro in 2008, along with another Super Bowl Ring. While he would earn two more First Team All Pro Awards in 2010 and 2011, Troy would capture Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. He sadly would not win a Third Ring but he had plenty of Playoff Success overall. Troy would end up retiring in 2015. Much like WildCat Wilson though, Troy would end up as a First Year Selection for Canton in 2020.





Troy's positioning is difficult for any Sports Writer to evaluate due to his unique style of play. On one hand, his impact and legacy are on par with the likes of Ronnie Lott as those two are considered the most impactful safeties in NFL History. On the other hand, his lack of production is perplexing among many Football enthusiasts. Unlike Troy however, our next Safety did not find any issue finding the Football. Keying his way into the third slot;








Paul Krause: Free Safety for the Washington Redskins (1964-1967) & Minnesota Vikings (1968-1979)




Even before donning an NFL Uniform, Paul was a multi sport athlete dating back to his days in High School. From the Gridiron to the track, Paul was always pushing his athletic boundaries to max out his abilities. This did not stop in High School however. At his time at Iowa, Paul was both a Wide Receiver and Defensive Back. Even though he was drafted into the MLB, Krause declined the offer. His athletic capabilities would be put to the test as he would be selected in the second round in the 1964 NFL Draft. Now, most NFL Safeties nowadays would be fortunate enough to even see double digit INT's within their first three seasons; two if lukcy at that. For Paul Krause, finding the ball was not an issue as a Rookie; 12 to his credit and the most ever still by a Rookie Safety in NFL History. Paul Krause was also awarded as the NFL Interceptions Leader in 1964 in his Rookie Season; still the only Rookie to ever do so. For the next four seasons, Krause would acquire 28 Interceptions but that sadly would not be enough for him to remain a Washington Redskin for the duration of his career. He would be then traded to the Minnesota Vikings for a Seventh Round Draft Pick and a Linebacker by the name of Marlin Mckeever. Such a slip up by the Redskins would prove to be a blessing for the Minnesota Vikings. Due to his mastery of ball tracking capability, Football IQ and Situational Awareness, Paul Krause would lay the foundation for what was to become what is known as the "Single High Deep Center Fielder". As the very first one, Paul Krause was known to key in on not just opponents route tendencies but also baiting QB's into bad mistakes. While his era is considered the "Dead Ball Era", it does not change the fact that Mr. Krause would go on to win Seven Total All Pro Nominations; Three First Team All Pro Awards in 1964, 1965 and 1975 and four Second Team All Pro Awards from 1968, 1969, 1971 and 1972. While it is true that he would not earn a Super Bowl Ring given his four attempts nor obtain Defensive Player of the Year, that still does not diminish his contributions to the game. Paul Krause still reamins the All Time Leader in Interceptions with 81; a record that will likely never be broken due to the ever evolving rules of the NFL. Even so, the Free Safety would go on to be the "QB of the Secondary" and adopted league wide as the mainstay position among secondaries; second only to the Corner Back position. Today, the Single High Deep Center Fielder is as prominent as it was back during the dead ball era. While the Safety Position is now effectively becoming a positionless position, the fact remains that a Safety who can still cover the Deep Center Field will always be in demand. As such, considering he is the God Father of All Modern NFL Ball Hawking Safeties, Paul Krause will sit perfectly at number three.




Paul Krause was truly a man before his time and layed the foundation for what was to be the explosive emergence of the Safety Position and its overall role in the NFL. Ball Hawking, Range, Football IQ and Instincts were now the upmost priorities for NFL Draft Scouts looking for the next one. The next Safety on this list is considered by many to be the greatest pure Safety in NFL History. Due to his combination of Instincts, Range, Athleticism and Versatility, this player would case fear and terror for the NFL for 11 Seasons. He is still considered the ultimate template for what now is constituted as the Elite Free Safety and was a nightmare for the teams who faced him. Taking it to the house at in at Number Two......










Ed Reed: Free Safety & Defensive Back for the Baltimore Ravens (2002-2012), Houston Texans (2013) & New York Jets (2013)




It is no secret that, among the many great Safeties in the NFL during the 2000s, two safeties stood out above the rest. Even more so, these two would do battle in the same division and would become the faces of the two best NFL Defenses during that decade. We have already discussed one of them in Troy Polamalu. Now, meet the other one, Ed Reed. Even as a High Schooler, Ed Reed was destined for greatness; smashing school records and winning a State Championship in both Javelin and Track & Field. After accepting a scholarship to the forthcoming historically great University of Miami teams from 1997-2001, Ed Reed, even after being red-shirted in 1997, would stand out above all the rest. To this day, Ed Reed's 21 INT's, 389 INT Return Yards and Five Defensive Touchdowns are all still records within the University of Miami School's History. His historic performance would allow him to be selected 24th Overall by the Baltimore Ravens. From his arrival in Baltimore, Ed Reed would go on to redefine the Safety Position as a whole in the NFL for 11 Seasons. What is oft forgotten about Mr. Reed however is that he initially started out his career as a Strong Safety; not a Free Safety according to Pro Football Reference. Either way, Ed Reed would lay siege from his Rookie Season; 85 Total Tackles, 5 INT's, and 167 INT Yards. From 2002 to 2005, Ed Reed would remain a Strong Safety. However, in 2004, Ed Reed would capture the coveted NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in only his third Season. To date, he remains the youngest Safety in the AFL/NFL Merger earn the award. However, Ed's assault on the record books did not end there. After breaking an NFL Record 106 INT Return for a Touchdown in his DPOY Season, he would do it again in 2008 with 107. Now, among all the records Ed Reed has, his oft forgotten but most impactful was the fact that he remains the only player in NFL History with an INT, punt, blocked punt and fumble returned all returned for a Touchdown. While that is not among his most memorable NFL Records, two aspects are. The first is the most Multi Interception Games in a career with 12 total to his credit. The second would be his 1541 Total Interception Return Yardage. Eight total All Pro nods; Five First Team All Pro Awards from 2004, 2006-2008 and 2010 and Three Second Team All Pro Awards from 2003, 2009 and 2011 would cement Ed Reed into discussion as not just arguably the greatest Safety of All Time but also one of the greatest NFL Defensive Players ever to play the game. Ed Reeds mastery of not just playing the Free Safety Position but also unique versatility as a Slot Corner and Strong Safety would allow him to become the most feared Ball Hawking Safety in NFL History. Teams often went out of their way to ensure that all Starting QB's on their team would have within their QB Wristband "Find 20" when playing Baltimore. If such a warning was ignored, that teams chances to win greatly diminished. Even if teams heeded that warning, all Offenses felt the wrath of "Ball Hawk Reed". Reed would finally end up obtaining a Ring in 2012; solidifying his status as one of the greatest ever Safeties. Even after his retirement, elite level Free Safeties who still come out of college are often compared to Reed. While many fans, Steelers fans especially, despised Ed Reed, one aspect they can all agree upon; Ed Reed's style of play revolutionized the Free Safety position and bringing the position itself to become the Queen of the Chessboard for many NFL Defenses today.




Many will argue that Ed Reed is the greatest Safety ever to play the game. I would agree to that sentiment as well.... if we are simply accounting for takeaways. However, to be considered the Greatest Ever at any position, much less Safety, one has to transcend the concepts of that position. As stated before, Ed Reed would redefine the Free Safety position itself to become the Queen of an NFL Defensive Backfield. However, Ed Reed was not the complete package unlike our number one. Our number one is not just considered the God Father of the Position itself but is widely considered one of the greatest Defensive Players of All Time. Smashing his way into the top spot of the Greatest Ever Safeties list;










Ronnie Lott: Cornerback and Free Safety for the San Francisco 49ers (1981-1990), Los Angeles Raides (1991-1992), New York Jets (1993-1994), Kansas City Chiefs (1995) & San Francisco 49ers (1995)




A standout at the University of Southern California, Ronnie Lott would be instrumental in the Trojans winning the Rose Bowl in both 1979 and 1980; intercepting eight passes as a Junior. After his college career, Lott would be selected eighth overall in the 1981 NFL Draft. Even as a rookie, Ronnie Lott would be an instrumental piece for the 49ers, picking off seven passes and returning three for Defensive Touchdowns; finishing just behind Lawrence Taylor in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Despite this, his Rookie Season would be one of four Super Bowl Victories for Mr. Lott in addition to his First All Pro nod as a First Team All Pro. However, Ronnie's ascension would begin after 1985; four years after playing Corner. In 1986, Bill Walsh would change Ronnie Lott's position from Cornerback to Free Safety. Even though his season would be cut shoft in 1982, from 1983 onward, Ronnie Lott would become the premier Safety of his era; notching his First All Pro nod as a Safety by becoming a First Team All Pro while having two total to his credit at this point in time. However, where Ronnie Lott stands out among the Greatest Ever Safeties is his unprecedented run from 1984 onward. Winning his Second Super Bowl victory was but a stepping stone for Mr. Lott. In 1986, he would earn his third All Pro nod as a First Team All Pro. Within the same season, Ronnie Lott would become the NFL Leader in Interceptions with 10. However, what is important to note in 1986 is Ronnie Lott's unmatched streak of All Pro nods by a Safety; six Straight in total as his final one was in 1991. Before reaching his eighth and final First Team All Pro nod, two more Super Bowl rings would be added to his collection and increase his total to four. While his final First Team All Pro nod would be earned with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1991, what came during his final great season would be the fact that it would be the second time that Ronnie Lott lead the league in Interceptions; making him the only Free Safety in the Modern NFL Era to do so. Even more than this, given his dominance over that period in time, Ronnie Lott is the grandfather of not just the Modern NFL Free Safety but the Modern Safety position as a whole. Ronnie's immense Football IQ, tremendous athleticism, superb hitting power and keen Instincts would become the foundation that we all know today as the Elite Safety in the NFL. While he is not the All Time Leader in Interceptions that Paul Krause is, what Ronnie Lott does have is more tackles than any other Free Safety on the list at 1,146. His 63 INT's are no joke either. The only major drawback to his career is that he has no Defensive Player of the Year Award to his name. Despite such a shortcoming, Ronnie Lott's position as the Greatest Ever Safety remains tried and true among many.





Final Thoughts:



As is always the case, there were players left off of the list. As stated before, players like Jack Christiansen, Kenny Easley, Ken Houston, Emlen Tunnel, Brian "Weapon X" Dawkins and Donnie Shell were in consideration. As stated before though, when I complied this list, said players had to go above and beyond the position itself. For me, I did not feel that said players did enough to warrant a spot on the list. If anything, putting Larry Wilson was a bit tougher than I thought it would be as the likes of Brian Dawkins and Jack Christiansen have similar or better accolades. Basing one's legacy can be difficult but the question that needs to be asked is if "did this player revolutionize the position?!" For me, WildCat Wilson did a bit more than both Jack and Brian.






Closing Comments:



That will do it for this edition of "Greatest Ever". I initially wanted to get this out weeks ago but some hardware and software issues prevented that from happening. That said, there is some silver lining as the final list shown above is a much better representation from what it was going to be. Either way, this was a lot of fun and I enjoyed every second of it. As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed!



Until next everyone, this is AskQuestionsLater saying farewell and stay safe!!

 

I am with you on Lott, Polamalu. The others I either need to know more about or they have stiff competition for the three remaining slots.

 

Where's Sammie Baugh?

 

Lott is the best hands down