2025 NFL Free Agent Market Report: Safeties

The Steelers are not in that bad of shape when it comes to the Safety position, but they still need to add to the room. Contrary to popular opinion, the organization seems to not be wavering in their belief in Minkah Fitzpatrick as a majority of the fanbase has. In DeShon Elliott, the Steelers have a fantastic compliment to Minkah but No. 25 is in his walk year. It’s possible that the organization may be looking to extend Elliott’s two-year deal he signed last March. Even if they do, the team absolutely needs to add to the room for depth with Damontae Kazee on the list of Steelers free agents. The more logical route seems to be adding youth and talent through the NFL Draft, possibly on Day 2. If they look in free agency, there is a load of talent looking for new deals.

Below is a list of the Top Ten NFL Free Agent Safeties as ranked by Pro Football Focus. No matter if Pittsburgh could afford these guys, be willing to pay market value or whether it would be unwise, in your opinion, to bring any of these players in, they are on the list to be considered. Read and decide for yourself.

Most Notable Free Agent Safeties 

Jevon Holland – Miami Dolphins 

Age: 24.9, Height: 6’1”, Weight: 210 lbs.

Drafted: 2021, Round 2 (Pick 36 Overall – Mia) – Oregon

Calculated Market Value: 4 yrs/$21.25m per year

Overall Grade: 63.0 (Average), Coverage Grade: 57.1 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 56

FA Position Rank: 1, Overall PFF FA Rank: 3

Not just at his position, but Jevon Holland is one of the top overall players on the market. It has been an up-and-down professional start for Holland who has played at a higher level under stronger schemes and coaches. In systems headed by defensive stalwarts Brian Flores and Vic Fangio, the strong safety excelled as opposed to those of two other coordinators. Essentially, it seems that the strong safety would fare better in a different locale as opposed to Miami where he’s played for four separate DCs in four years. With the right situation, physical players that play the run, the deep ball and the sidelines equally well, reach that upper level. With that written, Holland is a top candidate to earn an elite-level deal and play at an All-Pro level.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 15, Defensive Snaps Played: 854

Times Targeted: 48, Receptions Allowed: 26, % Allowed: 54.2%, Pass Defenses: 4, Interceptions: 0, TDs Against: 2, Tackles: 62, Tackles For Loss: 2, Sacks: 1, QB Hits: 1

Camryn Bynum – Minnesota Vikings 

Age: 26.6, Height: 6’0”, Weight: 200 lbs.

Drafted: 2021, Round 4 (Pick 125 Overall – Min) – Cal

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$14.25m per year

Overall Grade: 61.2 (Average), Coverage Grade: 61.5 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 63

FA Position Rank: 2, Overall PFF FA Rank: 16

Bynum has played well for the Vikings and has blanketed receivers in coverage, especially deep in centerfield. However, the converted corner from Cal led all safeties in solo tackles in 2023 and has established himself as a total package player in the secondary that doesn’t just allow the big gain on the ground but can turn a game with a big play. Bynum nabbed three passes in 2024.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 695

Times Targeted: 52, Receptions Allowed: 32, % Allowed: 61.5%, Pass Defenses: xx, Interceptions: 0, TDs Against: 5, Tackles: 54, Tackles For Loss: 1, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0

Talanoa Hufanga – San Francisco 49ers 

Age: 26.0, Height: 6’0”, Weight: 200 lbs.

Drafted: 2021, Round 5 (Pick 180 Overall – SF) – USC

Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$12.5m per year

Overall Grade: 57.8 (Average), Coverage Grade: 52.4 (Below Average)

PFF Position Rank: 73

FA Position Rank: 3, Overall PFF FA Rank: 27

The biggest drawback to Talanoa Hufanga is the troubling injury history that has shut the standout safety down after ten games due to ACL surgery in 2023 and a mere seven last season because of a wrist ailment. But when the 2022 All-Pro has no health concerns and is on the gridiron, fans get to see a phenomenal playmaker that blitzes, tackles and covers with a greedy taste for the football. Again, if Hufanga can stay healthy, some team is going to get a steal for $12.5 million.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 7, Defensive Snaps Played: 308

Times Targeted: 13, Receptions Allowed: 12, % Allowed: 92.3%, Pass Defenses: 0, Interceptions: 0, TDs Against: 0, Tackles: 38, Tackles For Loss: 2, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0

Justin Reid – Kansas City Chiefs 

Age: 28.0, Height: 6’1”, Weight: 207 lbs.

Drafted: 2018, Round 3 (Pick 68 Overall – Hou) – Stanford

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$15.5m per year

Overall Grade: 78.2 (High Quality), Coverage Grade: 76.5 (High Quality),

PFF Position Rank: 11

FA Position Rank: 4, Overall PFF FA Rank: 51

Justin Reid is arguably “HIM” when it comes to what he offers statistically and physically playing the game but the manner that he conducts himself as a locker room stalwart. Reid is a picture of consistency as can be. He rarely misses games, and he always seems to fly to the ballcarrier or receiver and neutralize them with ease. The Chiefs seem desperate to keep Justin but the franchise is cap-strapped and are inundated with free agents.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 16, Defensive Snaps Played: 974

Times Targeted: 62, Receptions Allowed: 48, % Allowed: 77.4%, Pass Defenses: 9, Interceptions: 2, TDs Against: 4, Tackles: 87, Tackles For Loss: 5, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 2

Harrison Smith – Minnesota Vikings 

Age: 36.0, Height: 6’2”, Weight: 211 lbs.

2011 Round 1 (29 Overall – Min) – Notre Dame

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$7.5m per year

Overall Grade: 67.7 (Above Average), Coverage Grade: 65.3 (Above Average)

PFF Position Rank: 35

FA Position Rank: 5, Overall PFF FA Rank: 55

Smith’s play over the last 13 NFL seasons has been Hall of Fame cailber, but the eight-time Pro Bowler is probably coming down to the end. He’s got some gas left in the tank though. Smith is worth a flyer to a team that is on the fringe of a title.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 16, Defensive Snaps Played: 1,062

Times Targeted: 65, Receptions Allowed: 43, % Allowed: 66.2%, Pass Defenses: 10, Interceptions: 3, TDs Against: 4, Tackles: 87, Tackles For Loss: 3, Sacks: 1, QB Hits: 1, Forced Fumbles: 0, Fumble Recoveries: 1

Tre’von Moehrig – Las Vegas Raiders 

Age: 25.6, Height: 6’2”, Weight: 202 lbs.

2021 Round 2 (43 Overall – LV) – TCU

Calculated Market Value: 4 years/$15m per year

Overall Grade: 67.5 (Above Average), Coverage Grade: 67.5 (Above Average)

PFF Position Rank: 36

FA Position Rank: 6, Overall PFF FA Rank: 57

Moehrig has established himself with the reputation of a run-stopping stalwart that can attack vigorously at the line of scrimmage. With straight-line speed, nice size and good instincts, Moehrig will be coveted by more teams than just the Raiders that would prefer to retain his services. Throw in the fact that he excels at tackling, he could get a big bag from any of a number of teams.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 1,101

Times Targeted: 58, Receptions Allowed: 38, % Allowed: 65.5%, Pass Defenses: 10, Interceptions: 2, TDs Against: 4, Tackles: 1044, Tackles For Loss: 5, Sacks: 1.0, QB Hits: 3, Fumble Recoveries: 2

Justin Simmons – Atlanta Falcons 

Age: 31.2, Height: 6’2”, Weight: 202 lbs.

2016 Round 3 (98 Overall – Den) – Boston College

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$6m per year

Justin Simmons is getting long in the football tooth, but there’s still seems to be some gas left in his All-Pro tank. Simmons has been known to lay a big-time hit on a defender while patrolling the deep in Denver but he’s versatile to move up in the box or take a turn in the slot.

Overall Grade: 59.9 (Average), Coverage Grade: 60.8 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 68

FA Position Rank: 7, Overall PFF FA Rank: 68

2024 Stats

Games Played: 16, Defensive Snaps Played: 1,017

Times Targeted: 37, Receptions Allowed: 22, % Allowed: 59.5%, Pass Defenses: 7, Interceptions: 2, TDs Against: 3, Tackles: 62, Tackles For Loss: 2, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0

Jeremy Chinn – Washington Commanders 

Age: 27.0, Height: 6’3”, Weight: 220 lbs.

Drafted: 2020, Round 2 (Pick 64 Overall – Car) – Southern Illinois

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$7.5m per year

Overall Grade: 65.2 (Above Average), Coverage Grade: 64.5 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 69

FA Position Rank: 8, Overall PFF FA Rank: 66

It almost seems like Chinn won’t be on the list of available safeties long as the Commanders would be foolish not to retain his services. The Swiss Army Knife was cast off by the Carolina Panthers as his contract expired but found his place in the District. Chinn is a muscular, whirling dervish of a player that explodes his intensity all over the field but one that is so versatile that it’s hard to define an exact position for him. Just like Dan Quinn did in Washington, Chinn’s next team would need to be one that knows what to do with him.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 1,021

Times Targeted: 53, Receptions Allowed: 39, % Allowed: 73.6%, Pass Defenses: 9, Interceptions: 1, TDs Against: 7, Tackles: 117, Tackles For Loss: 7, Sacks: 2.0, QB Hits: 3, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 2

Andre Cisco – Jacksonville Jaguars 

Age: 24.9, Height: 6’0”, Weight: 210 lbs.

Drafted: 2021, Round 3 (Pick 68 Overall – Jax) – Syracuse

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$9m per year

Overall Grade: 58.8 (Average), Coverage Grade: 56.7 (Average)

PFF Position Rank: 70

FA Position Rank: 10, Overall PFF FA Rank: 87

The book on the fourth-year safety out of Syracuse notes tremendous ball skills and awareness in zone coverage, excellent instincts and a willing tackler with nice height and length. Cisco’s main drawback is his lack of speed. Cisco is a young field-flipping playmaker with a penchant for picking off QBs, but Andre took a step back in his walk year as the whole season for Jacksonville was a tire fire. Cisco offers great skill at a still-young age and could offer himself up as a bargain in exchange for a change of venue.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 16, Defensive Snaps Played: 979

Times Targeted: 51, Receptions Allowed: 30, % Allowed: 58.8%, Pass Defenses: 7, Interceptions: 1, TDs Against: 3, Tackles: 68, Tackles For Loss: 1, Sacks: 0, QB Hits: 0

Honorable Mention 

Julian Blackmon – Indianapolis Colts

Most Notable Steelers Free Agent Safeties 

Damontae Kazee

Other Notable Free Agent Safeties

Richie Grant – Atlanta Falcons

Damar Hamlin – Buffalo Bills

Jordan Fuller – Carolina Panthers

Nick Scott – Carolina Panthers

Xavier Woods – Carolina Panthers

Lonnie Johnson – Carolina Panthers

Sam Franklin – Carolina Panthers

Adrian Colbert – Chicago Bears

Tarvarius Moore – Chicago Bears

Vonn Bell – Cincinnati Bengals

Rodney McLeod – Cleveland Browns

Juan Thornhill – Cleveland Browns

Ifeatu Melifonwu – Detroit Lions

Eric Murray – Houston Texans

M.J. Stewart – Houston Texans

Ronnie Harrison – Indianapolis Colts

Marcus Epps – Las Vegas Raiders

Marcus Maye – Los Angeles Chargers

Tony Jefferson – Los Angeles Chargers

John Johnson – Los Angeles Rams

Elijah Campbell – Miami Dolphins

Jordan Poyer – Miami Dolphins

Siran Neal – Miami Dolphins

Jaylinn Hawkins – New England Patriots

Tyrann Mathieu – New Orelans Saints

Will Harris – New Orleans Saints

Jason Pinnock – New York Giants

Ashtyn Davis – New York Jets

Jalen Mills – New York Jets

Chuck Clark – New York Jets

Tashaun Gipson – San Francisco 49ers

Mike Edwards – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ryan Neal – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Daryl Worley – Tennessee Titans

Quandre Diggs – Tennessee Titans

K’Von Wallace – Seattle Seahawks

Darrick Forrest – Washington Commanders