Flea Flicker Top-15 Safeties

Continuing the Flea Flicker Top-15 series and passing the time before training camp, here's a look at the Top-15 Safeties entering the 2016 season. Paul Zimmerman probably wouldn't sign off on this but I'm combining free and strong safeties. More teams are expecting their safeties to be interchangeable these days and I'm going with that.

15. Mike Mitchell, Pittsburgh Steelers
It took Mitchell a while to gain his NFL traction but he seems to have found it with the Steelers. He's a solid player and veteran presence for a defense that has suddenly become a very young defense.

14. Darian Stewart, Denver Broncos
Stewart was a nice free agent agent find for the Broncos last season. He made some big plays for a defense loaded with with play-makers.

13. Eric Weddle, Baltimore Ravens
Maybe the scenery change will rejuvenate Weddle's career. This ranking is based on that possibility. It's so much fun watching him dash around the field.

12. Morgan Burnett, Green Bay Packers
Burnett probably should be ranked a little higher but two Packers in the top-10 didn't feel right. He's always around the ball.

11. Reggie Nelson, Oakland Raiders
If Nelson's performance at 33 is anything like his performance last year with the Cincinnati Bengals at 32 the Raiders will be very happy. He was excellent last year.

10. George Iloka, Cincinnati Bengals
This might be a bit optimistic but Iloka is an ascending player and his 6'4" 225 lb size can't be taught. His potential got him a nice contract this offseason a nice ranking here.

  9. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green Bay Packers
Ha Ha could make this list for his name alone. He plays like a player that's been in the league longer than two years. Instinctive and athletic. He's another Packers safety that's always around the ball.

  8. T.J. Ward, Denver Broncos
The Broncos have several players on their defense that can turn a game with a single play. Ward is one of them.

  7. Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
McCourty has been so steady and so solid in his career. He's one of the leaders of the Patriots.

  6. Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins
Jones might have to put together a couple more seasons like he had last year to cement himself among the safety elite. He was a weekly stat sheet-filler last year.

  5. Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles
It's really no stretch to say that the New Orleans Saints essentially traded Jenkins for Jairus Byrd in free agency a couple of years ago. I wonder if they regret that move now. Jenkins has been a terrific player for the Eagles.

  4. Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals
It's difficult to rank Mathieu as a safety as he doesn't really play any traditional position. He's as disruptive as any defensive player in the league. And damn near every player in the league is bigger than him. He's an incredible football player and so much fun to watch.

  3. Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs
Berry spent the 2015 offsesason beating cancer and the 2015 season playing at a Pro Bowl level. Unbelievable.

  2. Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
He's been the standard for the safety position in recent years. He's the leader and heart of great Seahawks defenses.

  1. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Smith has been great in his first four years in the league and he's finally getting some respect for that play. He's gotten better each year and he should get even better moving forward in what is hopefully a very long Vikings career. He can do it all. Cover, hit, blitz. He's strong against the run and the pass.