It’s the final installment of a 10-part series taking a look at the top offseason pickups by position in 2026. From quarterback to edge rusher to cornerback, and else everything in between.
Now it’s time to take a look at the last line of a defense. The addition of a versatile safety can play a major part in improving any defensive unit.
This lists features a pair of 2026 first-round picks, as well as two of the best ballhawks in the game.
Ranking the 5 best offseason moves at safety
5. Dillon Thieneman (Chicago Bears)
This offseason, Bears’ GM Ryan Poles signed Super Bowl LX champion Coby Bryant away from the Seahawks. However, the four-year pro is on IR after undergoing knee surgery. Chicago added Xavier Woods in early August, but selected Thieneman with the 25th overall pick in April. He finished his three-year college career (Purdue and Oregon) with eight picks, 14 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
4. Caleb Downs (Dallas Cowboys)
There’s a lot of anticipations surrounding a Dallas’ defensive unit that underwent numerous changes this offseason. One of those was using the 11th overall pick in April’s draft on the former Buckeye (who began his career at the University of Alabama). Downs picked off two passes in each of his three collegiate seasons and joins a Cowboys’ team that gave up an NFL-high (and franchise record) 511 points in 2025.
3. Minkah Fitzpatrick (New York Jets)
A first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2019, he was dealt to Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020, traded back to the ‘Fins in 2025, and then dealt to the Jets this offseason. The three-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler has amassed 18 interceptions (4 returned for touchdowns) and seven fumble recoveries (1 TD return) in eight seasons. He picked off only one pass in 2025, but that was one more than the Jets.
2. Bryan Cook (Cincinnati Bengals)
A former second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, the four-year pro was Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 safety this past season who also ranked third in the league by PFF when it came to pass coverage. Obviously, the Bengals need all the help they can get on defense after giving up the second-most total yards in the NFL in 2025. Zac Taylor’s club also allowed 51 offensive touchdowns—33 through the air.
1. Kevin Byard (New England Patriots)
The opportunistic defender has made his mark with Tennessee, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Byard was the co-league leader with eight interceptions as a member of the Titans in 2017. This past season with the Bears, the 10-year pro picked off an NFL-high seven passes. The three-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro has 36 career regular-season interceptions (1 TD) and six fumble recoveries (1 TD).
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