NFL positional pecking order: Ranking all 32 secondaries from worst to best

With NFL training camps on the horizon, theScore's football editors rank all 32 teams by their total talent at each major position group. Depth charts are projections of teams' post-training camp rosters.

We conclude the series with defensive backs.

Position Group Rankings
QB | REC | RB
OL | FRONT 7 | DB

Bottom tier

32. Los Angeles Rams

After trading star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the back end of the Rams' defense has little starting experience. Durant recorded three interceptions in his rookie season but didn't get significant playing time until Week 12. Los Angeles will rely on veteran safety Fuller to be the leader of the secondary.

31. Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas added veterans Epps and Shelley in free agency, both of whom are expected to start. They also added Smith and Bennett on Day 3 of the draft. The Raiders will look for more from Moehrig, who's been disappointing since being selected in the second round of the 2021 draft.

30. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' secondary finished 11th in passing yards allowed last year but suffered a big blow this offseason. Indianapolis traded Stephon Gilmore, lost Facyson to the Raiders in free agency, and released Isaiah Rodgers after his suspension for violating the league's gambling policy. They drafted Brents in the second round, who's now expected to start Week 1.

29. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have some star power at the back end in Baker, but his name has been linked in trade rumors this offseason. Simmons is expected to be a full-time starter at safety after playing all over the field in his first three seasons. They added Fenton in free agency to start across from Wilson, who's started 26 games over the last two seasons.

Below average

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

Campbell had a terrific sophomore season, recording 15 passes defended and allowing just a 74.9 passer rating in coverage, according to Next Gen Stats. The rest of the Jaguars' secondary lacks high-end talent. Jacksonville is returning every starter in the secondary that finished 27th in passing yards allowed in 2022.

27. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals lost both starting safeties from last season. Hill, a first-round pick in 2022, will be thrown into the spotlight after only starting two games last season. The Bengals also signed Scott, who recorded 88 tackles and two interceptions last season. Taylor-Britt will have a more significant role this season after the team let Eli Apple walk in free agency.

26. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota is banking on two young sophomores to bounce back from season-ending injuries. Booth and Cine are projected to get significant playing time when they return to the lineup. Smith is back with the Vikings for a 12th straight year and is coming off a five-interception season. Minnesota's big offseason splash, Murphy, will also look to rebound from injury and return to 2021 form.

25. Tennessee Titans

After offseason tension over his contract, all signs point to Byard returning to the Titans for his seventh season. He's one of the best safeties in the league and has started every game for Tennessee since 2017. McCreary flashed potential in his rookie season, while Murphy-Bunting will look to revitalize his career after struggling last season in Tampa Bay.

24. New York Giants

First-round rookie Banks has elite potential. He'll start across from Jackson, who endured an injury-riddled second year with the team. McKinney is now fully healthy after suffering an injury during an ATV accident, and the team will need him to return to pre-injury form.

23. Chicago Bears

This is a young group that has the chance to blossom together. Jackson is the veteran on the back end but could be a training-camp cap casualty. Brisker and Gordon will look to grow from their rookie seasons after starting a combined 29 games in 2022. The Bears also selected Stevenson in the second round, and he'll battle for a starting job in training camp.

22. Houston Texans

DeMeco Ryans will be tasked with getting more out of Stingley, who had a disappointing, injury-plagued rookie year. The Texans added Ward in free agency to work with one of the best young safeties in the league in Pitre.

21. Detroit Lions

The Lions completely reworked their secondary this offseason after ranking 30th in passing yards allowed in 2022. They'll hope the additions of Gardner-Johnson, Sutton, and Moseley in free agency and Branch in the second round of the draft can address their issues. Joseph has breakout potential after hauling in four interceptions in his rookie season.

20. Washington Commanders

First-round pick Forbes can skyrocket this group up the rankings. He had 14 interceptions in three years as a starter at Mississippi State. Second-round selection Martin will compete for playing time in training camp. Curl and St-Juste will look to build on outstanding 2022 campaigns.

19. Carolina Panthers

Chinn and Horn are a scary young duo in the secondary, with both having All-Pro potential. Jackson returns for his sixth season in Carolina and has been a ball hawk since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2018, recording 14 career interceptions.

18. San Francisco 49ers

Ward signed a three-year, $40.5-million deal last offseason, which looks like a steal after his tremendous first campaign in San Francisco. Gipson, Brown, and Odum will compete for the starting role during training camp. The loss of defensive coordinator Ryans could be detrimental to this unit.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Neal is an underrated offseason addition. The 27-year-old had the best coverage success rate of all safeties in 2022, according to Next Gen Stats. Davis has emerged as one of the best man-cover cornerbacks in the NFL and is only 26 years old. With Dean and Winfield rounding out the starters, this unit has a lot of potential in 2023.

Good enough

16. Pittsburgh Steelers

Peterson is getting up there in age but is still very productive. He tied for eighth in the NFL with 15 passes defended last season. Peterson will help guide rookie Porter, who'll be thrown into a starter role on Day 1. Kazee will look to bounce back after suspension and injuries restricted him to nine games in 2022. He'll play alongside star safety Fitzpatrick.

15. Kansas City Chiefs

Sneed had a terrific 2022 campaign, starting all 17 games and recording 11 passes defended with three interceptions. McDuffie began to come into his own after missing six games early in the year due to injury, and the Chiefs will bank on him to take another step forward in his sophomore season.

14. New England Patriots

Jonathan Jones was the latest Patriots cornerback to have a breakout season, as he allowed a 65 passer rating when targeted last year, according to Next Gen Stats. He'll play alongside rookie first-rounder Gonzalez, who has star potential. Dugger has emerged as one of the best Swiss Army knife safeties in the league.

13. Green Bay Packers

Alexander recorded 14 passes defended with five interceptions last season to re-establish himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Stokes and Douglas round out a terrific cornerback trio, but the safety position is a question mark. Owens and Ford will battle for a starting spot in training camp.

12. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta did a tremendous job of reworking one of the worst pass defenses in the league from 2022. They signed onetime All-Pro Bates and traded for former third overall pick Okudah. Pair those two with Terrell, and this unit will be much improved next season.

11. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers need Jackson to bounce back to 2021 form - when he recorded a league-high 23 passes defended with the Patriots. He was benched in Week 6 last season, then suffered a season-ending injury the following week. He isn't expected to return in Week 1, but the Chargers have the depth to overcome his absence. Samuel and Davis were solid last season, while James is one of the best safeties in the league.

Great

10. Baltimore Ravens

Hamilton and Williams enter the season as one of the better safety duos in the NFL. Hamilton graded out as the best safety in the NFL in his rookie season, per PFF, while Williams had four interceptions in 10 games in 2022. With Humphrey and Ya-Sin starting at cornerback, this secondary has top-five potential.

9. Dallas Cowboys

Acquiring Gilmore for a compensatory fifth-round pick could be considered legal theft. Pairing him with Diggs gives the Cowboys a top-three outside cornerback duo. The Cowboys signed both Kearse and Wilson to multi-year deals this offseason to stabilize the defense's back end.

8. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles will bring back the best cornerback duo from 2022. Bradberry ranked as the league's best cover cornerback per Next Gen Stats, while Slay secured his fifth Pro Bowl selection. Blankenship is expected to start at one of the safety spots after playing well in relief for an injured Gardner-Johnson late in the season. Edmunds and third-round rookie Brown will fight for the other starting spot.

7. Cleveland Browns

Ward signed the richest cornerback contract in NFL history last offseason and didn't disappoint. He finished tied for eighth in passes defended with 15 and hauled in three interceptions in 14 games. Thornhill and McLeod were excellent additions to the safety room, grading as top 20 safeties last season, per PFF.

6. New Orleans Saints

Watch out for Adebo this season. He battled injuries last year but was outstanding in his rookie campaign in 2021. He has all the tools to develop into a top-tier cornerback. He and Lattimore form an amazing duo. Mathieu is getting up there in age but still graded as the fifth-ranked safety last season, according to PFF.

Elite

5. New York Jets

Gardner led the league in passes defended in his rookie season and graded as the top cornerback in the NFL, according to PFF. His presence alone makes the Jets a top-five secondary unit. Reed was solid starting across from Gardner last season, breaking up 12 passes while starting all 17 games. The Jets added Amos after Chuck Clark suffered a torn ACL in training camp.

4. Buffalo Bills

Poyer and Hyde remain the best safety duo in the league. Hyde suffered a neck injury that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season, but he's expected to be fully healthy for Week 1. Jackson was terrific last season, recording 12 passes defended and two interceptions in 15 games. Elam struggled in his rookie campaign, but having White show him the ropes should elevate his game.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Woolen was a pleasant surprise for the Seahawks last season. The 2022 fifth-round pick shined in his rookie season, finishing fourth in the league with 17 passes defended on his way to a Pro Bowl selection. Seattle added Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick to create one of the top cornerback rooms in the league. Adams, Diggs, and Love are as deep a safety room as you'll find in the NFL.

2. Denver Broncos

Surtain has blossomed into a star since the Broncos selected him ninth overall in 2021. He has 24 passes defended and six interceptions in two seasons, and earned All-Pro honors last year. Denver brought back Jackson to pair with Simmons on the back end, who led the league in interceptions last season in only 12 games played.

1. Miami Dolphins

After acquiring Ramsey this offseason, the Dolphins own the best secondary in the league. Pairing the six-time Pro Bowler with Howard creates a cornerback duo that quarterbacks will fear. Kohou shined as a rookie and is expected to earn an increase in playing time this year. Holland is only 23 years old and one of the league's most underrated safeties.