Post 33 - Top 10 Safeties of 2015

Hello! And welcome to my corner!

Earlier this week I got my newest series underway when I revealed my Top 10 Kickers and Punters of 2015. Next up in this series is the safeties.

In the coming weeks I'll be revealing my top 10 at each position and eventually my top 100 players in the NFL. Unlike the traditional rankings, though, I'm basing these rankings entirely on the 2015 season and the 2015 season only. Not looking further than that and without influence from their name alone.

Without further ado, then, here are my Top 10 Safeties from 2015:

SS: Strong Safety, FS: Free Safety


10. T.J. Ward, Denver Broncos, SS
61 total tackles (Comb), 2 sacks (Sck), 2 forced fumbles (FF).
Since leaving Cleveland, Ward hasn't stood out in the same way thanks to the uber-talent surrounding him in Denver. Despite not enjoying much of the limelight, though, Ward's impact hasn't diminished. He's decent in coverage but is an absolute missile coming down from the safety spot - he could very easily make a living as a linebacker.

9. Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati Bengals, FS
77 Comb, 22 passes defensed (PDef), 8 interceptions (Int), 2 fumble recoveries (FR).
The Oakland Raiders have to be very happy that the Bengals decided to resign George Iloka over Nelson, as they are getting one of last years biggest playmakers. He was tied with Marcus Peters for the lead in interceptions with 8.

8. Rashad Jones, Miami Dolphins, SS
135 Comb, 2 Sck, 15 PDef, 5 Int, 1 FR, 2 touchdowns (TD's).
Jones was pretty much the only real bright spot on the Dolphins team, let alone defense, and it earned him a trip to his first Pro Bowl. Looking at his stats and you'd think he should be higher, but his stats, while impressive, act as knock, too. If a safety leads a team in tackles, and that isn't something you want as it means the offense get to the second level of your defense too much. It's good that he made those tackles, though, which is why he's where he is.

7. Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks, SS
74 Comb, 6 PDef, 2 Int, 1 FF.
The Seahawks enforcer. People may have forgotten that Chancellor held out for the first few weeks of the season hoping for a new contract, but once the Seahawks defense looked incomplete - and the contract still hadn't come - he came back and the Legion of Boom was complete again. He is possibly the most important cog in this defense, and his play never disappoints.

6. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings, FS
66 Comb, 1.5 Sck, 5 PDef, 2 Int, 1 FF, 1 TD.
Smith - A.K.A. Hitman - is an oft-forgotten elite player. Because of a lack of real success on the Vikings part, he has never really had a chance to be in the spotlight. Well, this year he forced himself into it, and boy, does he belong. He can do it all from the safety spot for the Vikings and his nickname is no joke, he'll knock the snot out of you.

5. Charles Woodson, Oakland Raiders, FS
74 Comb, 14 PDef, 5 Int, 1 FF, 3 FR.
There is nothing better than the 'old-guard' showing up its younger counterparts. Woodson ensured he went out on top of his game and ended his career with yet another magnificent season. Not only did he finally intercept Peyton Manning - he did it twice in that game - but he overtook Ed Reed's 64 career interceptions and he is now tied for 5th in that stat, with 65. Despite the Raiders rebuild, Woodson will be missed.

4. Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles, FS
109 Comb, 12 PDef, 2 Int, 3 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD.
Jenkins is another oft-forgotten talent at safety. With all of the inconsistent play in Philly over the last few years, Jenkins has been a consistent force. He is yet another do-it-all type of safety to find success in multiple roles in a defense. Jenkins really did have a great year for the lowly Eagles and he will be a center-piece of their rebuild and future success.

3. Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs, SS
61 Comb, 12 PDef, 2 Int.
Eric Berry defied all odds by returning from Hodgkin's Lymphoma - he was diagnosed in December 2014 - in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos. Early on, as you'd expect, he wasn't quite the player he once was, but by the end of the season you couldn't really tell the difference. He was back as one of the most destructive safeties in the NFL.

2. Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks, FS
64 Comb, 14 PDef, 5 Int, 1 FF.
The other safety in the Legion of Boom and probably the best pure free safety in the NFL. Thomas is one of the last remaining center-fielder's in the NFL, but that isn't his entire game. He is a missle when he comes down in run support and has play recognition as good as anyone currently in the league. It's so unfair that the Seahawks have him and Chancellor in the same defensive backfield. 

1. Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals, FS
89 Comb, 1 Sck, 22 PDef, 5 Int, 1 FF, 1 TD.
If it wasn't for a torn ACL in Week 15, I think he could've won Defensive Player of the Year and the Cardinals could've made an even harder push at the Super Bowl. It's hard to really decide what position Mathieu is, is he a corner or a safety? Either way, I'd've had him as the number one player at his position. He is the most versatile defensive player in the NFL and he is an absolute joy to watch. He could legitimately challenge J.J. Watt for the most talented defensive player in the NFL in the coming years. 

There we have it, my Top 10 Safeties from the 2015 NFL season. What do you think? Think I've got it right or am I completely wrong? Let me know!

Next up? The Top 10 Cornerbacks of 2015.