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Instead, safeties have the freedom to snag balls that try to go deep. They can cover any opponent they feel is a target in Madden NFL 23. And, with all that running room, they’re also the hardest hitters on the field. For grown-ups, safety isn’t where the least talented players are, it’s where the most talented ones get put.
Updated on November 22nd, 2022 by Hodey Johns: With the regular season about halfway over, it’s now time to have a new look at these players. As usual, there are some ratings that proved to be frighteningly accurate and others that have left gamers scratching their heads. There is no single rule of thumb regarding the way players dramatically exceed or fail to live up to expectations. The Madden franchise has generally not made changes due to injury, so that’s off of the table. Still, the year has a way of showing other sides of the previous estimations, giving ratings adjusters new estimations. This is where the players stand now at this point in the season.
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13 Tyrann Mathieu - SS - 90 OVR
Before the season, fans thought that if any safety would be the next 99 OVR rated player, it would be Tyrann Mathieu, who has done nothing but set the position on fire since he’s been in the league. He’s made the last two Pro Bowls and, the year before that, he won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs.
Unfortunately, his time with the Saints has not gone as expected. Mathieu started off the year topping this list and now finds himself lucky to be on it. The Saints in general have had a rough year, so there is a chance Mathieu’s diminished output is more due to the team’s struggles than his own.
12 Minkah Fitzpatrick - FS - 90 OVR
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The experts might have felt down on Minkah Fitzpatrick after he missed his first Pro Bowl in three years in the 2021 season. Those who ruled him out made a terrible mistake. He has been lights-out for the Pittsburgh secondary this year.
He’s racking up picks, blocking kicks, and he even won another Defensive Player of the Week award in week one with a heroic performance. Fitzpatrick is a mix of clutch and consistent, the Steelers are happy to see that he’s back in Pro Bowl contention.
10 Micah Hyde - FS - 91 OVR
When Hyde was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, they weren’t sure what to do with him. In those first four seasons, he was scarcely even considered a starter, rotating with other players. That all changed when the Buffalo Bills picked him up and made him their full-time free safety.
Since then, Hyde has made a Pro Bowl and racked up loads of picks. His output was about the same when he was on the field for the Packers, it’s hard to see why they didn’t invest in him more. Hyde is one of two Buffalo safeties on the list; those who challenge the Bills over the top find out why they’re both ranked so highly very quickly.
9 Jordan Poyer - SS - 91 OVR
Safeties need to be able to rack up both sacks and picks. The only player to get five interceptions and three sacks last year was Jordan Poyer. His contributions made it so that the Bills ended as the top defense when the season ended.
This was also his first time getting a first-team All-Pro nod. This year, Poyer’s OVR has increased a point as the analysts have recognized that trying to work around Poyer is the number one issue passers face when they play against the Bills.
8 Jessie Bates III - FS - 91 OVR
The Bengals made it to the Super Bowl last year despite having a horrendous offensive line. Many appropriately accredited Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon for making plays despite the unit. But, during the playoff run, analysts started looking at the defense and how well Jessie Bates III commanded it.
Even in the Super Bowl itself, Bates picked off Stafford to give his team a chance. Although the new offensive line has still struggled, the Bengals’ secondary is as good as it ever was, a testament to how well Bates plays in every game, not just clutch moments.
7 Harrison Smith - SS - 91 OVR
In the last seven seasons, Harrison Smith has made the Pro Bowl six times. If that doesn’t scream dominance, nothing will. Ask the Minnesota faithful, he puts in the work every week and is usually at the center of any explosive plays.
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Even after ten years of football, Smith is improving, setting a personal record for tackles in a season just last year. This year, Smith has somehow managed to improve his game further. The Vikings are in the middle of a dominant stretch, highlighted by Smith locking down deep balls.
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4 Budda Baker - SS - 91 OVR
If needing to see a change in franchise mode, sign Budda Baker up for long-term dominance. He’s a young player and as consistent as it gets. Quarterbacks know better than the try and challenge the defense over the top when he’s on the field.
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In five seasons, Baker has been to the Pro Bowl in four of them, including the last three in a row. His 2021 season was his best so far. The Cardinals have been terrible in 2022 so far, but Baker is still limiting big plays.
3 Kevin Byard - FS - 92 OVR
Many teams know all too well that durability means as much as any talent or skill. They want to look at last year’s game, compare it to this year’s game, and know the player will either play every game or come very close to it.
This is where Kevin Byard shines. He’s played in every game since he was drafted in 2016. And it’s not just that he’s present; Byard has led the NFL in interceptions before and made the Pro Bowl last year. He didn’t become a top-ranked free safety by accident.
2 Justin Simmons - FS - 92 OVR
Free safeties have room to be as flashy as the game’s cover art. Since they can essentially direct themselves by using their instincts, the best free safeties are in on many plays. During the first few seasons, Justin Simmons needed time to adjust.
Simmons has thankfully shaken off the early rust and is now playing the position as it was meant to be played. In the last three years, Simmons has either been Second-Team All-Pro or in the Pro Bowl itself. The Broncos have collapsed on offense completely, but their defense is arguably the best in the league and Simmons has risen in OVR with his contributions to that fact.
1 Derwin James Jr. - SS - 94 OVR
In his rookie year, Derwin James Jr. managed to make a Pro Bowl appearance. That 2018 season was incredibly special, but injuries limited him to five games over the next two seasons. When that happens, fans can only guess what the player rating will be and if he’ll still be the same.
Last season, James proved he’s still the same incredible safety that he used to be. He made his second Pro Bowl selection. After a strong start to 2022 despite the Chargers’ other woes, James is now up one point in ranking and seized the title of best safety in the game.
Madden NFL 23 releases on August 15th, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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