Packers’ McKinney rated a top NFL safety
Trending
Kyle Hamilton does it all for the Baltimore Ravens defense.
The two-time All-Pro safety can play slot cornerback and cover receivers or tight ends. He can play in the box and stop the run. He can drop into zone and play traditional deep safety. He can blitz.
Hamilton’s versatility and productivity helped him earn the top safety spot in the NFL as voted by The Associated Press.
A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at safety, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
Hamilton received six first-place votes. All-Pro Kevin Byard of New England finished second, followed by the Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James, Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield Jr. and Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney.
1. Kyle Hamilton, Ravens
Hamilton is an elite defensive back no matter where he plays. He can line up anywhere, giving the defense multiple options and the offense fits.
He had no interceptions and one sack and received 46 of 50 votes for first-team All-Pro last season because his value isn’t measured in glamorous stats. Opposing quarterbacks had a 49 rating when Hamilton was on the field and 90 when he was off it.
Hamilton forced two fumbles, had seven tackles for loss and 105 overall.
2. Kevin Byard, Patriots
Byard led the NFL with seven interceptions last season and earned his third All-Pro honor.
He’s a prototypical modern safety who can be a traditional deep centerfielder, quick and savvy enough to undercut routes in man coverage. He’s also strong against the run.
Byard received two first-place votes, a second and a fourth.
3. Derwin James Jr., Chargers
James is another versatile hybrid safety who earned second-team All-Pro honors at slot cornerback last year.
James had three interceptions, two sacks, one forced fumble, 94 tackles and six for a loss.
The Chargers line James up in the box, the slot, or at deep safety.
4. Antoine Winfield Jr., Buccaneers
A 2023 All-Pro, Winfield bounced back from an injury-plagued season to make the Pro Bowl roster last year.
He had two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble, 93 tackles and four for a loss.
Winfield is a versatile playmaker with excellent ball-tracking ability.
The Green Bay Packers’ Xavier McKinney, front, breaks up a pass intended for the Broncos’ Courtland Sutton in the second half on Dec. 14 in Denver. (AP file photo)
5. Xavier McKinney, Packers
McKinney followed up his first All-Pro season by earning second-team honors in 2025.
He had two interceptions, 107 tackles, one forced fumble and one sack.
McKinney can play traditional free safety, step into the box and disguise coverages.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl