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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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

13 / 32

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

22 / 32

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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