Top landing spots for the five best safeties

As NFL teams navigate the 2026 offseason, strategic roster adjustments are paramount. Identifying key free agents and aligning them with specific team needs is crucial for success. Here’s a look at potential fits for five top safeties, based on scheme and usage, as teams prepare for the upcoming season.

Top Safety Fits in 2026 NFL Free Agency

Bryan Cook

The Minnesota Vikings, led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, could be a strong landing spot for safety Bryan Cook. Flores’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme aligns well with Cook’s experience in a similar system under Steve Spagnuolo with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cook earned an 80.3 PFF coverage grade when the Chiefs blitzed, demonstrating his ability to thrive in an aggressive defensive approach.

Cook’s versatility is also a significant asset, grading above the 90th percentile as both a safety and in the slot. This skill set mirrors that of Harrison Smith, a longtime veteran leader for the Vikings who is entering free agency.

Did You Know? Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme is a good fit for players accustomed to unique blitz packages, like those used by Steve Spagnuolo’s Chiefs defense.

Kamren Curl

For the Dallas Cowboys, a potential fit lies in Kamren Curl. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker, having learned under Vic Fangio, values disguising coverages. The Philadelphia Eagles, where Parker previously coached, led the NFL in coverage disguises last season with a 41.1% rate.

Curl, with experience under Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, excels at baiting throws into disguised looks, having earned a 74.5 PFF coverage grade on such plays. This makes him a strong candidate to contribute to Dallas’ new defensive approach.

Kevin Byard

The Cincinnati Bengals could find a solution to their defensive struggles with veteran Kevin Byard. Al Golden’s first year as Bengals defensive coordinator revealed a weakness in limiting explosive plays, allowing more than 17% of passes to gain 15 or more yards.

Golden aims to implement a single-high structure with sticky man coverage, a style he successfully employed at Notre Dame, finishing in the top 12 in Cover-1 usage each season. Byard, a true deep centre fielder with a 90.4 PFF coverage grade over the past three seasons and an NFL-leading seven interceptions for the Bears this past season, would be a key piece in that system. His experience would also bring a veteran presence to the Bengals’ coverage unit.

Expert Insight: Aligning personnel with a defensive coordinator’s preferred scheme is often a critical step in improving team performance, and Byard’s skillset appears to be a strong match for Al Golden’s vision in Cincinnati.

Jabrill Peppers

The Chicago Bears face significant decisions in their secondary, with Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all potentially entering free agency. With limited cap space (-$5.3 million), a cost-effective option could be Jabrill Peppers.

Peppers, despite a limited role with the Pittsburgh Steelers, demonstrated strong versatility in New England from 2022 to 2024, earning a 75.0-plus PFF overall grade as a deep safety, in the slot, and in the box. A short-term deal could allow the Bears to address a need without exceeding their financial constraints.

Jalen Thompson

The Jacksonville Jaguars may look to bolster their secondary depth with Jalen Thompson. Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile utilizes a high rate of two-high safety coverages, with only three teams running more such looks last season (52.3%).

Thompson excels in these coverages, earning an 83.5 PFF coverage grade in open coverages, particularly in quarters and half-field zone responsibilities, making him a seamless fit for the Jaguars’ defensive scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cover-1 usage?

Cover-1 is a defensive coverage scheme where one safety plays deep, while cornerbacks play man-to-man coverage. Al Golden, the Bengals’ defensive coordinator, frequently used this scheme at Notre Dame, finishing in the top 12 in Cover-1 usage each season.

Which player led the NFL in interceptions last season?

Kevin Byard led the NFL with seven interceptions during the 2025 season while playing for the Chicago Bears.

What is PFF coverage grade?

PFF coverage grade is a metric developed by Pro Football Focus that evaluates a player’s performance in coverage, taking into account factors such as completion percentage allowed, yards per target, and interceptions.

As teams continue to evaluate their options, how will these potential free agent signings impact the competitive landscape of the 2026 NFL season?