PFF can only be viewed in relative terms, and granted it’s a smaller sample size, but Ifeatu has really played well:
Ifeatu Melifonwu | Detroit Lions S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 82.6
Compare that to the “top 10 safeties” 2023 10 best safeties in NFL: Minkah Fitzpatrick leads rankings | FOX Sports (and others):
The Top Tier of Four
Jessie Bates III | Atlanta Falcons S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 90.9
Antoine Winfield Jr. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 90.7
Jevon Holland | Miami Dolphins S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 90.5
Kyle Hamilton | Baltimore Ravens S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 86.0
There’s your first and second team All Pros
The Iffy Tier
Ifeatu Melifonwu | Detroit Lions S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 82.6
The next Tier:
Tyrann Mathieu | New Orleans Saints S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 78.0
Brian Branch | Detroit Lions CB | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 77.3–he’s more nickle CB than safety, but has played some safety snaps throughout the season and just an indication as to how well he’s played as a rookie.
Geno Stone | Baltimore Ravens S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 74.6
Kevin Byard | Philadelphia Eagles S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 72.5
Julian Love | Seattle Seahawks S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 72.5
Jalen Thompson | Arizona Cardinals S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 72.3
Harrison Smith | Minnesota Vikings S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 71.6
C.J. Gardner-Johnson | Detroit Lions S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 70.7 (just two games though)
Talanoa Hufanga | San Francisco 49ers S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 70.5
Minkah Fitzpatrick | Pittsburgh Steelers S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 70.3
Justin Simmons | Denver Broncos S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 70.0
“Big Names” and others who aren’t having great seasons
Julian Blackmon | Indianapolis Colts S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 68.3
Jordan Fuller | Los Angeles Rams S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 68.0
Jordan Whitehead | New York Jets S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 67.4
Andre Cisco | Jacksonville Jaguars S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 66.3
Micah Hyde | Buffalo Bills S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 65.1
Budda Baker | Arizona Cardinals S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 64.9
Kerby Joseph | Detroit Lions S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 58.2
Derwin James Jr. | Los Angeles Chargers S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 57.2
Quandre Diggs | Seattle Seahawks S | NFL and PFF stats | PFF 53.7
