The Two Best Safeties in Football Should be Minnesota Vikings

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Jul 11, 2024
Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings went through a lot of roster turnover this offseason. Neither of the safety positions were among them. Right now they employ Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum as their starting safeties. Josh Mettellus also plays a hybrid of the position.

Minnesota Vikings should roster the two best safeties in NFL

Unfortunately, zero Vikings safeties are considered to be top-10 (or even top-15) in the NFL, according to a recent ESPN poll of anonymous league executives, coaches, and scouts. Harrison Smith is an obvious snub, but that’s for another article.

  1. Antoine Winfield Jr. (25 y/o) | Buccaneers
  2. Kyle Hamilton (23 y/o) | Ravens
  3. Jessie Bates III (27 y/o) | Falcons
  4. Minkah Fitzpatrick (27 y/o) | Steelers
  5. Jevon Holland (24 y/o) | Dolphins
  6. Budda Baker (28 y/o) | Cardinals
  7. Derwin James Jr. (27 y/o) | Chargers
  8. Kyle Dugger (28 y/o) | Patriots
  9. Talanoa Hufanga (24 y/o) | Ravens
  10. Xavier McKinney (24 y/o) | Ravens

What’s really sad about the above list is that both of the top safeties should be members of the Minnesota Vikings. The fact that both are playing elsewhere should not sit well with the Wilf family.

Never forget, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Kyle Hamilton were both mocked, projected and speculated to land in Minnesota prior to the draft and, instead of doing the obvious, both Rick Spielman and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah got cute, and now look stupid.

Antoine Winfield Jr. – No. 45 pick (2020): Vikings draft (WR) Justin Jefferson at No. 22, (CB) Jeff Gladney at No. 31 ahead and Ezra Cleveland at 58, shortly after.

Winfield Jr. was mocked to the Vikings multiple times, and the fit was pretty straightforward. The former Minnesota Gopher star knows the organization well as his dad spent nine years of his professional career in purple. Voted as the best player at the position, he jumped nine spots from his tenth overall ranking a season ago.

Related: ESPN: Vikings Should Have Best Weapons Arsenal in NFL

Winfield had a season for the ages in 2023. He recorded six sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions. His 27.9% ball hawk rate was the fourth highest among defensive players targeted at least 30 times. He probably should have been higher than No. 6 in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

The Bucs unlocked Winfield by playing him more in the post in 2023 — he was primarily a nickelback the previous season. “He had more opportunities as a single-high defender to take throws away with his instincts, range and creating turnovers,” an NFC executive said. “He was already excellent in run support and as a blitzer, so it was the perfect combination.”

Jeremy Fowler (quote via anonymous NFL scout) – ESPN

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just recently extended Winfield on a four-year deal. Winfield was named to his first All-Pro team this year. Minnesota decided to pass on Winfield with the 31st overall pick in 2020 and instead selected Jeff Gladney. Winfield was selected 45th overall, falling to the second round.

Kyle Hamilton – No. 14 pick (2022): Vikings traded back from 12 to 32 and took (S) Lewis Cine

Rather than sticking and picking Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), Minnesota traded back twenty spots from No. 12 to No. 32 and drafted a different safety, Lewis Cine (Georgia). The latter has been among the biggest busts in recent NFL Draft history.

He suffered a gruesome injury during the preseason of his rookie year, and has never rebounded. This is year three for Cine and he is a likely cut candidate. Had Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah not over thought his first draft, Hamilton would have been the obvious choice.

Related: Local Insider Hints at Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr. Both Being Done in Minnesota

The start to Hamilton’s career with Baltimore Ravens has been nothing short of spectacular. Who knows how Brian Flores could have elevated his play even further.

Macdonald, now the Seattle Seahawks head coach, deployed Hamilton all over the field, and Hamilton delivered with an All-Pro season.

Hamilton is the only player on this list with at least 10 tackles for loss (10) and 10 pass deflections (13) in 2023. He added three sacks and four interceptions, allowing 261 yards on 62 targets.

“The ultimate Swiss Army knife that was used in every way possible last season. He was a defender opposing offenses had to be aware of on every snap.”

Jeremy Fowler (quote via anonymous NFL scout) – ESPN

Related: Vikings Would Like to Help Saints Unload Rival CB1

It’s not always fair to look back and wonder what if, but both players realistically could have been in Vikings uniforms. Had even one of them been selected, the group may be more ready to see Harrison Smith ride off into the sunset.

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