NFL 2023: Ranking The 5 Best Offseason Moves At Safety

They are the last line of defense. These days, the safety positions (strong and free) are somewhat interchangeable. Still, some performers are better at roaming the back of the secondary while others can be found to excel in run support while playing closer to the line of scrimmage. Of course, some can do both and also specialize in coming up with the crucial takeaway.

It has been a month-long look at which teams made the best offseason moves. This is the final installment of a 10-part series that has looked at quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, edge rushers, interior defensive linemen, linebackers and cornerbacks.

Hence, here are the best offseason pickups by teams looking to bolster the safety spots.

5. Juan Thornhill, Browns

He spent the past four seasons in Kansas City, which means four-year pro Juan Thornhill has seen his share of success. The Chiefs reached the playoffs each year he was with the club, although he missed the club’s Super Bowl LIV title run during his rookie campaign in 2019. Nevertheless, Thornhill is a two-time Super Bowl champion and made 52 regular-season starts and six postseason starts in four years with Andy Reid’s club. The 27-year-old pro totaled eight interceptions and 20 passes defensed with the Chiefs.

4. Vonn Bell, Panthers

He will bring some physicality to a Carolina defense that has been mediocre at best in recent seasons. Vonn Bell also makes his return to the NFC South after spending the past three years with the Cincinnati Bengals. A second-round draft choice of the Saints in 2016, Bell comes off a season in which he finished with a career-best four interceptions. In seven NFL seasons (including playoffs), he’s racked up 12.5 sacks and 19 takeaways. Dating back to 2021 (34 games), the Panthers have forced only 33 turnovers.

3. Adrian Amos, Jets

It’s another one-time member of the Packers now reunited with new Jets’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Heady Adrian Amos spent the past four seasons in Green Bay after beginning his career with the Bears as a fifth-round draft choice in 2015. In eight seasons, he’s totaled 10 interceptions during the regular season and added three more picks in the playoffs. Amos also came up with four fumble recoveries and finished with 48 passes defensed. Only the Eagles and Saints gave up fewer passing yards than the Jets a year ago.

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2. Jessie Bates III, Falcons

The team has not been to the playoffs since 2017. However, the Atlanta Falcons have had quite the offseason. They added defenders such as Calais Campbell, Bud Dupree, Jeff Okudah, David Onyemata and Kaden Elliss. Add safety Jessie Bates III to the mix. He spent five seasons in Cincinnati and was a very underrated performer, totaling 100-plus tackles in each of his first three years. Add in 14 interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries. Bates also picked off two passes during the club’s Super Bowl run in 2021.

1. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Lions

He will be entering his fifth season in the league and with his third team. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was a fourth-round pick of the Saints in 2019, but after three seasons was dealt to the Eagles last offseason. He had quite the year for the Super Bowl-bound Birds. Gardner-Johnson finished 2022 tied for the NFL lead (with Steelers’ safety Minkah Fitzpatrick) with six interceptions. In four NFL seasons with the Saints and Eagles, the versatile performer has picked off 11 passes, totaled 36 passes defended and added four sacks.