Antoine Winfield Jr., Kyle Hamilton Top NFL Safety Rankings by Coaches, Execs

After signing a contract extension that made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history, Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Antoine Winfield Jr. has officially been recognized as the best player at his position.

In an annual poll conducted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, NFL coaches, executives and scouts ranked Winfield as the top safety in the league entering the 2024 season. Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton nabbed the No. 2 spot, and the rest of the top 10 is as follows:

1. Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
2. Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore Ravens)
3. Jessie Bates III (Atlanta Falcons)
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick (Pittsburgh Steelers)
5. Jevon Holland (Miami Dolphins)
6. Budda Baker (Arizona Cardinals)
7. Derwin James Jr. (Los Angeles Chargers)
8. Kyle Dugger (New England Patriots)
9. Talanoa Hufanga (San Francisco 49ers)
10. Xavier McKinney (Green Bay Packers)

Winfield had a stellar 2023 season with six sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He was rewarded with a four-year, $84.1 million deal in May that includes $45 million guaranteed, the largest guarantee received by a safety.

Fowler noted that the Bucs found a way to unleash the 25-year-old by playing him more in the post last year after he primarily played at nickleback in 2022.

“He had more opportunities as a single-high defender to take throws away with his instincts, range and creating turnovers,” an NFC executive told Fowler. “He was already excellent in run support and as a blitzer, so it was the perfect combination.”

Hamilton was lauded for his versatility, as he was the only player in the top 10 to record at least 10 tackles for loss (10) and 10 pass deflections (13) last season. He also finished with four interceptions and three sacks.

“The ultimate Swiss Army knife that was used in every way possible last season,” an NFC scout said. “He was a defender opposing offenses had to be aware of on every snap.”

The safeties in the top 10 are surely looking to produce in a big way once again during the 2024 season.