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Gil Brandt's greatest NFL safeties of all time

NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest safeties in football history. Take a look at how all 32 of his selections stack up.

Headshot_Author_Gil_Brandt_1400x1000
Gil Brandt
Denver Broncos, 1981-1994 » Voted to six Pro Bowls » 30 career interceptions
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32. Dennis Smith

Denver Broncos, 1981-1994
» Voted to six Pro Bowls
» 30 career interceptions

National Football League
Green Bay Packers, 1990-2001 » One-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times » 38 career interceptions
2 / 32
31. LeRoy Butler

Green Bay Packers, 1990-2001
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» 38 career interceptions

David Stluka/Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers, 1989-1998; Jacksonville Jaguars, 1999; Baltimore Ravens, 2001 » Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time » 16 career interceptions
3 / 32
30. Carnell Lake

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1989-1998; Jacksonville Jaguars, 1999; Baltimore Ravens, 2001
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time
» 16 career interceptions

Mark Duncan/Associated Press
Los Angeles Rams, 1977-1987 » Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times » 37 career interceptions
4 / 32
29. Nolan Cromwell

Los Angeles Rams, 1977-1987
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 37 career interceptions

Peter Read Miller/Associated Press
San Diego Chargers, 2007-2015; Baltimore Ravens, 2016-2018; Los Angeles Rams 2019--present » Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times » 29 career interceptions
5 / 32
28. Eric Weddle

San Diego Chargers, 2007-2015; Baltimore Ravens, 2016-2018; Los Angeles Rams 2019--present
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 29 career interceptions

Ryan Kang/NFL
Oakland Raiders, 1971-1979; Houston Oilers, 1980 » One-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to three Pro Bowls » 37 career interceptions
6 / 32
27. Jack Tatum

Oakland Raiders, 1971-1979; Houston Oilers, 1980
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to three Pro Bowls
» 37 career interceptions

National Football League
Seattle Seahawks, 2010-2017 » One-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to four Pro Bowls » 12 career interceptions
7 / 32
26. Kam Chancellor

Seattle Seahawks, 2010-2017
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to four Pro Bowls
» 12 career interceptions

Ryan Kang/NFL
Los Angeles Rams, 1959-1970 » Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times » 46 career interceptions
8 / 32
25. Ed Meador

Los Angeles Rams, 1959-1970
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 46 career interceptions

National Football League
San Diego Chargers, 1994-2002; New England Patriots, 2003-2008 » Two-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times » 34 career interceptions
9 / 32
24. Rodney Harrison

San Diego Chargers, 1994-2002; New England Patriots, 2003-2008
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 34 career interceptions

Winslow Townson/Associated Press
Minnesota Vikings, 1983-1991; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1992 » Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times » 37 career interceptions
10 / 32
23. Joey Browner

Minnesota Vikings, 1983-1991; Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1992
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 37 career interceptions

John W. McDonough/Associated Press
Green Bay Packers 1952-1959 » Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times » Went six consecutive years averaging eight interceptions per season » Packers all-time interceptions leader with 52 » Despite having only one working eye, became only second player with 50+ INTs » Member of Packers Hall of Fame
11 / 32
22. Bobby Dillon

Green Bay Packers 1952-1959
» Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» Went six consecutive years averaging eight interceptions per season
» Packers all-time interceptions leader with 52
» Despite having only one working eye, became only second player with 50+ INTs
» Member of Packers Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame
Miami Dolphins 1970-1975; Washington Redskins 1976-1978 » Two-time Super Bowl champion » Super Bowl VII MVP » Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice » Started all 126 career games played » Finished career with 49 interceptions
12 / 32
21. Jake Scott

Miami Dolphins 1970-1975; Washington Redskins 1976-1978
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Super Bowl VII MVP
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice
» Started all 126 career games played
» Finished career with 49 interceptions

Cliff Welch/Associated Press
Dallas Cowboys, 1970-1981 » Three-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to two Pro Bowls » 41 career interceptions
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20. Charlie Waters

Dallas Cowboys, 1970-1981
» Three-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to two Pro Bowls
» 41 career interceptions

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press
Miami Dolphins, 1968-1977 » One-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times » 34 career interceptions
14 / 32
19. Dick Anderson

Miami Dolphins, 1968-1977
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 34 career interceptions

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press
Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs 1960-1971 » Super Bowl champion (IV), three-time AFL champion » Voted to six AFL All-Star teams, one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro once » Led AFL in interceptions in 1966, lod NFL in 1970 » Named to the AFL All-Time Team » Finished career with 57 interceptions and 17 touchdowns (15 on offense)
15 / 32
18. Johnny Robinson

Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs 1960-1971
» Super Bowl champion (IV), three-time AFL champion
» Voted to six AFL All-Star teams, one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro once
» Led AFL in interceptions in 1966, lod NFL in 1970
» Named to the AFL All-Time Team
» Finished career with 57 interceptions and 17 touchdowns (15 on offense)

National Football League
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1993-2003; Denver Broncos, 2004-2007 » One-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times » 26 career interceptions
16 / 32
17. John Lynch

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1993-2003; Denver Broncos, 2004-2007
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 26 career interceptions

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press
Denver Broncos, 1989-1998; New York Jets, 1999 » Two-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times » 24 career interceptions
17 / 32
16. Steve Atwater

Denver Broncos, 1989-1998; New York Jets, 1999
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 24 career interceptions

David Durochik/Associated Press
» Kansas City Chiefs, 2010-2018; » Voted to five Pro Bowls, three-time First Team All-Pro » 448 tackles, 14 interceptions, 51 passes defensed, five defensive touchdowns in nine NFL seasons
18 / 32
15. Eric Berry

» Kansas City Chiefs, 2010-2018;
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, three-time First Team All-Pro
» 448 tackles, 14 interceptions, 51 passes defensed, five defensive touchdowns in nine NFL seasons

Ric Tapia/NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-1987 » Four-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times » 51 career interceptions
19 / 32
14. Donnie Shell

Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-1987
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 51 career interceptions

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers, 2003-2014 » Two-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times » 32 career interceptions
20 / 32
13. Troy Polamalu

Pittsburgh Steelers, 2003-2014
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» 32 career interceptions

Scott Boehm/Associated Press
Seattle Seahawks, 1981-1987 » Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times » 32 career interceptions » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
21 / 32
12. Kenny Easley

Seattle Seahawks, 1981-1987
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 32 career interceptions
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press
Washington Redskins, 1964-1967; Minnesota Vikings, 1968-1979 » Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times » 81 career interceptions » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
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11. Paul Krause

Washington Redskins, 1964-1967; Minnesota Vikings, 1968-1979
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 81 career interceptions
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals, 1960-1972 » Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times » 52 career interceptions » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
23 / 32
10. Larry Wilson

St. Louis Cardinals, 1960-1972
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» 52 career interceptions
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League
Green Bay Packers, 1960-1971 » Five-time NFL champion, two-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times » 48 career interceptions » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
24 / 32
9. Willie Wood

Green Bay Packers, 1960-1971
» Five-time NFL champion, two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» 48 career interceptions
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League
Detroit Lions, 1951-1958 » Three-time NFL champion » Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times » 46 career interceptions » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
25 / 32
8. Jack Christiansen

Detroit Lions, 1951-1958
» Three-time NFL champion
» Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» 46 career interceptions
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame
Dallas Cowboys, 1970-1979 » Two-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times » 29 career interceptions
26 / 32
7. Cliff Harris

Dallas Cowboys, 1970-1979
» Two-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» 29 career interceptions

National Football League
Detroit Lions, 1952-1964 » Three-time NFL champion » Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
27 / 32
6. Yale Lary

Detroit Lions, 1952-1964
» Three-time NFL champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Cliff Welch/Associated Press
Philadelphia Eagles, 1996-2008; Denver Broncos, 2009-2011 » Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times » 37 career interceptions
28 / 32
5. Brian Dawkins

Philadelphia Eagles, 1996-2008; Denver Broncos, 2009-2011
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» 37 career interceptions

Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press
Baltimore Ravens, 2002-2012; Houston Texans, 2013; New York Jets, 2013 » One-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times » 64 career interceptions
29 / 32
4. Ed Reed

Baltimore Ravens, 2002-2012; Houston Texans, 2013; New York Jets, 2013
» One-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
» 64 career interceptions

Nick Wass/Associated Press
San Francisco 49ers, 1981-1990; Oakland Raiders, 1991-1992; New York Jets, 1993-1994 » Four-time Super Bowl champion » Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times » 63 career interceptions » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
30 / 32
3. Ronnie Lott

San Francisco 49ers, 1981-1990; Oakland Raiders, 1991-1992; New York Jets, 1993-1994
» Four-time Super Bowl champion
» Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times
» 63 career interceptions
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Tomsic/Associated Press
Houston Oilers, 1967-1972; Washington Redskins, 1973-1980 » Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times » 49 career interceptions » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
31 / 32
2. Ken Houston

Houston Oilers, 1967-1972; Washington Redskins, 1973-1980
» Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times
» 49 career interceptions
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

National Football League
New York Giants, 1948-1958; Green Bay Packers, 1959-1961 » Two-time NFL champion » Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times » 79 career interceptions » Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
32 / 32
1. Emlen Tunnell

New York Giants, 1948-1958; Green Bay Packers, 1959-1961
» Two-time NFL champion
» Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
» 79 career interceptions
» Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Associated Press
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