The safety is the last line of defense in the NFL. The hope is that one won't ever be necessary. Everybody hopes their team's defensive line holds it down, the linebackers pressure the quarterback, and the corners make passing impossible. But life isn't perfect and that's why even the stingiest of defenses leave one or two safeties out on the field at all times.
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The best safeties in Madden NFL 22 are more than just disaster relief, of course. They insert themselves into the game somehow, going for unexpected blitzes, helping out linebackers on tackles, and fading left or right for a crafty pickoff. These are best in the game for stopping opponents from breaking off big-time yardage.
Minkah Fitzpatrick – FS – 89
It's hard to say what the Dolphins were thinking when they drafted Fitzpatrick in the first round of the 2018 draft. They only started him in eleven games during his rookie year and, despite that, he recorded 80 tackles and three picks. To everyone in the world, it was obvious that a star was rising. Then, two games into the 2019 season, they traded him away to the Steelers. During these past two years, Fitzpatrick has nine interceptions, a career number for most free safeties. In both seasons, he was a first-team All-Pro. Pittsburgh owes Miami a significant thank you card.
Eddie Jackson – FS – 89
In four years with Chicago, Eddie Jackson has already made the list of the top 100 Bears of All Time. Ten interceptions with over 250 tackles made him a quick fan favorite. With incremental gains each season, he's a fan favorite. His tackling and catching aren't the only things to admire about this ball hawk. He's forced a total of seven fumbles during this time as well, meaning there is no point during the play in which the ball is safe when Jackson is on the field.
Adrian Amos – SS – 89
In his first four years with the Bears, Adrian Amos proved that he was a capable defender. He exceeded any expectations that they could have placed on this fifth-round pick. Somehow, the Bears failed to get him signed and, much to Chicago's detriment, Amos signed with the rival Packers. And in the two years with Green Bay, he's actually stepped up his game even further, recording two picks in each of the last three years. For the past two years, the Packers have given him more responsibilities and he's responded by putting up over 80 tackles in each of those seasons.
Jamal Adams – SS – 90
The Seahawks have been renowned for their creative uses of defensive backs. Lucky for them, they have Jamal Adams, who thrives in situations where he must do the unexpected.
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Aside from being a spectacular defender in the air, he has the quirky distinction of having the most sacks by a defensive back in a season of all time, setting the mark at 9.5 just this last year. Adams is therefore lethal everywhere on the field and teams are struggling for answers on how to best neutralize him.
Harrison Smith – SS – 90
Much of Minnesota's defensive prowess can be chalked up to Harrison Smith, who, for nine years now, has averaged over three interceptions per season and totaled six Pro Bowl selections. Plenty of other Viking defenders have cashed a paycheck and left the organization to little success. It turns out that having one of the strongest of the strong safeties is a critical component to individual success as a corner.
Justin Simmons – FS – 91
Justin Simmons arrived in Denver right after the infamous No Fly Zone defense in Denver dissipated. The team was in need of somebody to come in and be a playmaker on defense. Simmons was exactly what they were looking for. Simmons has two interceptions or more in each of his first five seasons, including five last year alone, taking the ball away from some of the game's most talented receivers. The Broncos are also happy to see that his tackle totals are increasing annually.
Jessie Bates III – FS – 91
Jessie Bates III only has three years under his belt, but if he keeps up this pace, his career will end with the Hall of Fame. Unless the league changes the way that Madden needs to change, he'll only keep terrorizing conference rivals. In each of his three seasons, he's registered triple-digit tackles, got three picks, and started every single game. It's hard to name a second-round talent that has paid off more than Bates.
Devin McCourty – FS – 92
In eleven seasons, McCourty has never missed more than two games in any one of them. His remarkable health hasn't been his only impact on the field; he's recorded an interception at least once in each year as well.
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Of the myriad of X-Factor abilities, it would make sense to give McCourty almost all of them, given his capabilities on the field. Take it from the New England faithful; there's a reason he walks around with three Super Bowl rings.
Budda Baker – SS – 93
Two years ago, Budda Baker recorded triple-digit solo tackles from the safety position, a feat that would impress most of the league's middle linebackers. But he's not just a one-trick pony. Wide receivers working to improve on their game quickly see their progress stifled when they have to try and bring down passes with Baker in the backfield. He got his first two career picks last year, a trend that will worry opposing head coaches.
Tyrann Mathieu – SS – 99
When the Kansas City Chiefs figured they were one strong safety short of a Super Bowl, they put all of their chips in on Tyrann Mathieu. The gamble paid immediate dividends, winning one Super Bowl and appearing in the next. The game's best quarterbacks aren't safe from the "Honey Badger," who pulled down an astounding six interceptions last year. It's safe to say that Arizona and Houston regret letting him walk away so easily.
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