The safety position in the NFL is beginning to evolve into a position that is even more vital to defenses now. Teams are searching for guys who can play in coverage and aren't afraid to get dirty in the run game.
There are a ton of talented safeties in the NFL but not all of those safeties have a talented running mate. So who owns the league's best safety tandems?
Honorable mentions could include the Los Angeles Chargers with Derwin James and Jaylen Watkins. Although, they come in as honorable mentions due to Watkins being a question mark as a free safety.
Another honorable mention could be the Minnesota Vikings with Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris. Smith has been one of the most disruptive safeties in the NFL while Harris continues to gain his footing as a safety.
With those in mind, here are the top three safety tandems in the NFL.
3. Earl Thomas/Tony Jefferson
The Baltimore Ravens witnessed their defense undergo a few changes this offseason. First, Eric Weddle was released and then they lost C.J. Mosley, Za'Darius Smith, and Terrell Suggs.
To replace Weddle, Baltimore was able to land Earl Thomas in free agency. His deal with the team is worth $55 million over the next four years. Thomas has been one of the league's best safeties for the Seattle Seahawks in the past nine seasons.
Now, at 30-years old, Thomas is coming off of a leg injury that caused him to miss 12 games in 2018. Although, before the injury, Thomas had three interceptions in four starts.
On the other side, Tony Jefferson is one of the most underrated safeties in the NFL. Over the past two seasons, Jefferson has been a valuable piece to the Ravens defense.
In the last two years, Jefferson has gotten 109 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions combined.
The Ravens boast the league's third-best safety tandem coming into 2019.
2. Eric Weddle/John Johnson
The next team on the list is the team that Eric Weddle decided to sign with after being cut by the Ravens. Weddle joined the Los Angeles Rams to form a formidable safety duo with him and John Johnson.
In the past 12 years, Weddle has consistently been one of the best safeties in the NFL. Even at 34-years old, Weddle has shown he can still play at an elite level at safety.
In Weddle's last three seasons in Baltimore, the Rams new safety managed to haul in 10 interceptions, rack up 151 solo tackles, forced three fumbles, and deflected 24 passes. You add his veteran leadership next to Johnson and the potential is through the roof.
Johnson is one of the best young safeties in the NFL and he keeps getting better every season. Last season, Johnson was given an 86.1 coverage grade by PFF—fifth among qualifying safeties.
If Johnson can keep improving in 2019 and Weddle maintains his intensity, the Rams could have the league's best safety duo in 2020.
For now, they come at number two with number one having arguably the league's best safety right now.
1. Jamal Adams/Marcus Maye
Among the league's best young safeties or safeties in general, comes Jamal Adams of the New York Jets. Adams has continued the trend of LSU defensive backs being successful in the NFL.
In just two seasons, Adams has thrown his name into the discussion for the NFL's best safety. NFL coaches and executives are beginning to search for versatile safeties.
Adams is the prototypical safety that teams want right now. Last season, Adams lined up all over the defense, including 489 of his 1,051 snaps coming inside the box.
Next to Adams, is Marcus Maye, who has shown flashes of his potential as a free safety in the NFL. Maye came in the same season as Adams and has helped form arguably the league's best safety tandem.
Last season, Maye allowed just one reception in his six starts.
If Maye can continue to improve as a free safety, the Jets should have the league's best safety tandem for years to come.
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