NFC North Safety Rankings for 2025
One last time, we rank the NFC North position groups, having previously done rankings for all the other position groups in the NFC North, including QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, iDL, Edge, LB, and CB. We finish with the NFC North Safety rankings for the 2025 season.
VikingsTerritory gives you NFC North safety rankings for the 2025 season.
There is plenty of talent at this position across the division, with some big-name safeties and arguably the best safety duo in the league, and a pair of 2024 first-team All-Pros. One last time, here are my NFC North safety rankings for 2025.
Safety Rankings for NFC North Teams — 2025
From the Lions to the Vikings, these are this year’s safety rankings.
1. Detroit Lions – Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Morice Norris, Dan Jackson
Detroit broke up a formidable trio with Ifeatu Melifonwu leaving for Miami after a 2024 season that was decimated by injury. That still leaves them with one of the best duos in the league, Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Since entering the league, Branch has proven himself to be a player of great talent and flexibility in the secondary, who hopes to build on his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024 during his third season, in a similar way to what Joseph did last year.
Joseph was phenomenal in 2024 on his way to a first-team All-Pro recognition, a league-high nine interceptions, and an overall grade of 91.0 from Pro Football Focus. The aim now is to maintain that lofty standard. After Branch and Joseph, there isn’t much in reserve, just an undrafted player from last year in Morice Norris, who played on one defensive snap in 2024, and a seventh-round rookie in Dan Jackson.
However, the two starters are so good I have to rank them first, but the Lions can’t afford an injury.
2. Green Bay – Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson
Green Bay made one of the best free agency acquisitions of the year last season when they signed Xavier McKinney to a long-term deal. He had already proven himself a good player, but stepped up his game to a new level in his first year in Green Bay.
The Packers safety earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition in 2024, while scoring career highs in interceptions (8) and pass deflections (11). He is one of the best safeties in the league, and while the Packers might not have a second top safety like the Lions, they do have a duo of promising youngsters.
Evan Williams was a fourth-round pick last year and showed promise while playing on 474 defensive snaps. A fourth-round rookie, he jumped last year’s second-rounder, Javon Bullard, to become the starter next to McKinney, while Bullard moved to the nickel and played on 786 defensive snaps across the season. Green Bay also has a solid veteran in Zayne Anderson, rounding out the depth chart—a good group headed by a star player.
3. Chicago Bears – Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks
There is a very strong group of safeties in Chicago. When it comes to strength in depth, they may have the strongest group. What they do lack, however, is a ball hawk of the calibre of Joseph or McKinney. With so many offenses wanting to attack down the field these days, it’s an essential part of a defense, which is why I drop the Bears down to third place. Jaquan Brisker has been a good addition to Chicago’s defense since they drafted him in the second round in 2022.
However, a third concussion in as many years ruled him out from Week 6 until the end of the season. He’s expected to play in 2025, but the number of concussions is already a major concern.
Kevin Byard was a new signing last season, and the veteran two-time, first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler had a very good first year in Chicago. Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks provide the Bears with strong depth and a good amount of experience. The Bears’ safety unit, at full strength, is formidable, but we need to see if Brisker can return fully healthy and in top form.
4. Minnesota Vikings – Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
Harrison Smith is back for his 14th season in purple, and while he’s no longer the player he was 10 years ago, his experience and expertise have still proven valuable for Minnesota in recent seasons. Talk of retirement was louder than ever this offseason, but the Hitman came back for what is likely one last run at age 36.
The loss of Camryn Bynum has left the Vikings looking weak at a position that has been a strength. Especially since they have not brought in anyone to replace him, the Vikings seem to trust Theo Jackson to take on an extended role.
Jackson has performed well in a small sample size, but Bynum was an every-down player as the deep safety, and it’s a significant role to step into. Josh Metellus has thrived in his hybrid role, and I’d be reluctant to take him out of that and into a more traditional safety position.
I don’t think that would be best for him or the team. There are several question marks over this unit this year. How much does Smith have left? Can Jackson become a starter? Where will Metellus play? Will Brian Flores still favor three-safety sets?
That’s what leads me to a dead last ranking for Minnesota. Jay Ward rounds out the depth chart as the fourth safety.
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