The San Francisco 49ers enjoyed a successful 2022-2023 season that was ultimately marred by an unfortunate injury to quarterback Brock Purdy in the NFC Championship Game, thwarting the team's Super Bowl hopes this past season.
Still, there was much good that came out of last season, both offensively and defensively, with the development of the secondary becoming a huge storyline, as safety Talanoa Hufanga emerged into an All-Pro player, while veteran Tashaun Gipson enjoyed a nice rejuvenation to his career after joining the team just weeks before the beginning of the season.
With the performances of the two safeties for the 49ers and the strong defense that San Francisco sported last year, does the team have the best safety group in the NFL?
Earlier this week, former Minnesota Vikings general manager Jeff Diamond shared his opinions on the best NFL team at every position entering 2023, where the 49ers ranked No. 1 at running back, linebacker, and safety.
Running back made sense, as the 49ers brought in Christian McCaffrey, who was a game-changer to a prolific offense, while retaining Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason, and utilizing Deebo Samuel as a part-time rusher as well.
Same with linebacker, given that Fred Warner is arguably the best linebacker in the NFL, while Dre Greenlaw enjoyed himself a Pro-Bowl-esque year after earning a two-year contract extension.
But, the safety argument was an interesting take, as there are a few strong safety tandems in the NFL that could compete with Hufanga and Gipson, who both return as starters for the 49ers in 2023.
Here's what Diamond had to say about ranking the 49ers at No. 1:
"For the best duo of starting safeties, I'm going to a familiar place — the 49ers' top-ranked defense. Talanoa Hufanga emerged as a First-Team All-Pro in his second season after being a fifth-round pick. Hufanga had four interceptions and 97 tackles last season. His running mate Tashaun Gipson had five interceptions. The 49ers also drafted Ji'Ayir Brown in this year's third round and have added depth and an All-Pro special teamer in safety George Odum."
Hufanga and Gipson certainly rank amongst the top of the mix after their 2022 campaigns, but I share reservations about ranking them at the top already after the season they currently had.
The USC product had a phenomenal start to the season, showcasing his quick burst, playmaking abilities in coverage and at the line of scrimmage, as well as his instincts that proved why the 49ers made a good selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
However, the safety's play waned as the season went along, as opposing offenses picked on his aggressive tendencies in coverage, resulting in a few coverage busts for Hufanga, which former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and the player acknowledged following certain games.
Hufanga's Pro Bowl designation is fair, but his first-team All-Pro honors may have been a bit of a reach last season when compiling the entirety of his film from the beginning of the season to the end.
Additionally, Gipson was a strong complementary piece, accumulating five interceptions on the season to go with 61 tackles, while filling well against the run. But, I still believe there are a few other duos and safety groups that warrant consideration as the best in the NFL.
Other top safety groups
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have sported one of the top safety duos in the NFL for the past few years ever since pairing Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer together to man the backend of their secondary.
In most years, they'd be considered the top safety duo in the NFL, but Hyde missed nearly the entirety of last season due to injury, while Poyer was out for nearly a third of the season for the same reason.
Despite their ages, both players still have compiled an impressive resume, and should return to amongst the top at the position with a healthy year in 2023.
Additionally, the Bills signed safety Taylor Rapp, a former starter with the Los Angeles Rams, and return safety Damar Hamlin, compiling a strong group of depth to match their top-tier starters. They're definitely in the conversation for the best safety group heading into 2023.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals sport one of the weaker rosters in the NFL, but hold an impressive, underrated safety tandem in Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson.
Baker has been amongst the top of the position, securing three All-Pro awards and five Pro Bowls in his six NFL seasons, while Thompson has developed into a very capable No. 2 safety, producing near Pro Bowl-level play last season.
While it may be surprising to say, the Cardinals could arguably have the 49ers' edge in this position group, and have a young duo that should continue to improve as time passes.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos' argument is clear: they have one of, if not the best safeties in the NFL in Justin Simmons, who has been underrated for the majority of his prime, while returning veteran Kareem Jackson, a stable player who fits well in the run game when on the field that was durable in 2023.
In addition to their two respectable starters, the Broncos have emerging safety Caden Sterns, who could be poised for a bigger role in 2023 alongside the top duo, providing them solid depth at the position.
Simmons continues to play at a high level, earning second-team All-Pro awards for the second consecutive season despite playing in just 12 games, and his play on this team likely gives the Broncos the edge at the position.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are very similar to the Denver Broncos in that they have an elite safety and a strong complementary piece to man the backend, placing them amongst the league's best safety groups.
Kevin Byard, a two-time All-Pro, is one of the league's best ballhawks at the safety position, while being a strong all-around option for the Titans, while Amani Hooker has continued to develop well, earning a three-year, $33 million extension ahead of his fifth season in the NFL.
With arguably a top-three safety in the NFL, as well as a solid complementary option, the Titans are firmly in the mix for the best safety room in the league.
If this exercise was solely based on the 2022 season, the 49ers would have a stronger argument, given the emergence and availability of their top options, but when compiling overall resumes and expectations for the upcoming season, it's tough to cement their duo as the top safety group in the NFL over other teams.
