{"id":421,"date":"2024-03-23T19:32:35","date_gmt":"2024-03-23T23:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=421"},"modified":"2025-12-22T16:51:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:51:33","slug":"10-best-free-safeties-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2024\/03\/10-best-free-safeties-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Top NFL Free Safeties of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on December 22, 2025)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, the safety position in the NFL is broken into two roles: a strong safety and a free safety. Both of these defenders have to be just about the most athletic guy on the field. A strong safety is typically a little bigger than a free safety. They tend to play closer to the line of scrimmage and be more involved in stopping the run. Usually they line up on the strong side, where the tight end starts off for the offense, and they at times cover tight ends and\/or fullbacks. A free safety is usually faster and a little rangier than a strong safety. In addition to providing run support, they are expected to help cornerbacks in pass coverage more often, and they even have to shadow slot receivers occasionally. A lot of the time they are the center fielders of the defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are going to identify the best free safeties of all time. Keep in mind that many defensive backs rotate positions throughout their careers, so classifying these elite athletes can be difficult. To be eligible for this list, a player had to be listed as a free safety for the majority of their career, not a corner or a strong safety. Without further delay, here are some of the fiercest hitters and most versatile players to ever grace the gridiron: 10 of the best free safeties in NFL history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tYale Lary<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Robert Yale Lary Jr.\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: DB-P\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

5-11<\/span>, 185lb<\/span> (180cm, 83kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tNovember 24<\/a>, 1930\n \n \n in Fort Worth, TX<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n May 11<\/a>, 2017 (Aged 86-168d)<\/span>\n \n in Fort Worth, TX<\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tTexas A&M<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 64 (885th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tNorth Side<\/a> (TX<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Detroit Lions<\/a> in the 3rd round (34th overall) of the 1952 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n\t\tPlayer in 1979<\/a>\n(Full List<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

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