One last time we rank the NFC North Position groups, after we have done rankings for all other position groups in the NFC North, including QB, RB, WR, Te, OL, IDL, Edge, LB and CB. We end with the NFC North Safety Rankings for the 2025 season.
Vikingssterritory Give NFC North Safety Rankings for the 2025 season.
There is a lot of talent in this position in the division, with some large safety and perhaps the best safety duo in the competition, and a few all-pro from 2024 first team. One last time, here are my NFC North Safety Rankings for 2025.
Safety ranking for NFC North Teams – 2025
From the lions to the Vikings, these are this year’s safety ranking.
1. Detroit Lions – Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Morice Norris, Dan Jackson
Detroit broke a formidable trio with IFeatu Melifonwu who left for Miami after a 2024 season that was decimated by injury. That still leaves them one of the best duos in the competition, Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Since entering the competition, Branch has proven 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 as Joseph did last year.
Joseph was phenomenal in 2024 on its way to a first team All-Pro recognition, a competition-high nine interceptions and an overall figure of 91.0 of Pro Football Focus. The goal is now to maintain that exalted standard. After the branch and Joseph, there is not much in reserve, just a non-affected player from last year in Morice Norris, who played on one defensive Snap in 2024, and a Rookie in the seventh round Dan Jackson.
However, the two starters are so good that I have to rank them first, but the lions cannot afford an injury.
2. Green Bay – Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson
Green Bay made one of the best acquisitions of the year of the year last season when she signed Xavier McKinney for a long -term agreement. 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 safety of Packers earned the first Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition in 2024, while they scored career heights in interceptions (8) and transmit bows (11). He is one of the best safety in the competition, and although the packers may not have a second top safety such as the Lions, they have a duo of promising young people.
Evan Williams was a pick with the fourth round last year and showed promising while playing at 474 defending Snaps. A Rookie in the fourth round, he jumped the second Rounder, Javon Bullard last year, to become the starter next to McKinney, while Bullard moved to the Nickel and played the entire season at 786 defensive snaps. Green Bay also has a solid veteran in Zayne Anderson, who completes the depth map – a good group led by a star player.
3. Chicago Bears – Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, Jonathan Owens, Elia Hicks
There is a very strong group of protections in Chicago. When it comes to strength in depth, they can have the strongest group. What they do miss, however, is a Balhawk of the caliber of Joseph of McKinney. With so many violations that nowadays want to attack on the field, it is an essential part of a defense, so I let the bears fall to third place. Jaquan Brisker has been a good addition to the defense of Chicago since they prepared him in the second round in 2022.
However, a third concussion in as many years has excluded him from week 6 to the end of the season. He is expected to play in 2025, but the number of concussion is already a great concern.
Kevin Byard was a new signing last season, and the veteran double, First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler had a very good first year in Chicago. Jonathan Owens and Elia Hicks offer the bears a strong depth and a good amount of experience. The safety unit of the bears is formidable at full strength, but we have to see if Brisker can return completely 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 although he is no longer the player he was 10 years ago, his experience and expertise are still valuable for Minnesota in the past seasons. Talking about retirement was louder than ever this season, but the hit came back for what is probably a last run at the age of 36.
The loss of Camryn Bynum has weakly left the Vikings in a position that has been a force. Especially since they have not brought anyone to replace him, the Vikings Theo Jackson seem to trust to take on an extensive role.
Jackson has performed well in a small sample size, but Bynum was an every player like the deep safety, and it is an important role to step in. Josh Metellus flourished in his hybrid role, and I would be reluctant to get him out of it and in a more traditional safety position.
I don’t think that would be best for him or the team. There are various questions about this unit this year. How much does Smith still have? Can Jackson become a starter? Where will Metellus play? Will Brian Flores still prefer sets of three safety?
That is what leads me to a dead final ranking for Minnesota. Jay Ward finishes the depth card as the fourth safety.
Proud UK Viking. Family man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
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