Ranking The Top Five Safety Draft Classes in NFL History- Guardians of the Gridiron

1. The Pioneering Protectors: The 1960 Safety Class

The 1960 NFL Draft introduced a remarkable group of safeties who would go on to leave their mark on the league for years to come. Here are some of the most notable safeties from the 1960 class:

• Yale Lary - Drafted 97th overall by the Detroit Lions, Lary is considered one of the greatest safeties in NFL history. Over his 11-year career, he earned nine Pro Bowl selections, five First-Team All-Pro honors, and three NFL championships. Lary was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
• Don Burroughs - Selected 123rd overall by the Cleveland Browns, Burroughs played a key role as a safety for both the Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles. During his 10-year career, Burroughs accumulated four Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors, making him one of the standout players from the 1960 class.
• Willie Wood - Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers, Wood went on to become a crucial component of Vince Lombardi's legendary defenses. Over his 12-year career, Wood earned eight Pro Bowl selections, five First-Team All-Pro honors, and five NFL championships, including two Super Bowl victories. Wood was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

2. Stalwart Sentinels: The 1971 Safety Class

The 1971 NFL Draft brought forth a new generation of elite safeties, who went on to leave their mark on the league with their exceptional play. Some of the most prominent safeties from the 1971 class include:

• Jack Tatum - Selected 19th overall by the Oakland Raiders, Tatum quickly earned the nickname "The Assassin" for his hard-hitting style of play. Over his 10-year career, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor, as well as a Super Bowl championship with the Raiders.
• Clarence Scott - Drafted 14th overall by the Cleveland Browns, Scott emerged as a reliable and consistent presence in the Browns' secondary. During his 13-year career, Scott accumulated one Pro Bowl selection and played a pivotal role in the Browns' playoff appearances throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
• Charlie Waters - Chosen in the 3rd round (66th overall) by the Dallas Cowboys, Waters quickly established himself as one of the premier safeties of his era. Over his 12-year career, Waters earned three Pro Bowl selections and played in five Super Bowls, winning two championships with the Cowboys.

3. Gridiron Guardians: The 1981 Safety Class

The 1981 NFL Draft produced a group of exceptional safeties, who went on to enjoy successful and lengthy careers in the league. Some of the top safeties from this class include:

• Kenny Easley - Selected 4th overall by the Seattle Seahawks, Easley quickly became a dominant force in the Seahawks' secondary. Over his seven-year career, Easley earned five Pro Bowl selections, three First-Team All-Pro honors, and was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1984. Easley was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
• Dennis Smith - Drafted 15th overall by the Denver Broncos, Smith became a key player in the Broncos' secondary for 14 seasons. During his career, Smith accumulated six Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor, helping the Broncos reach the Super Bowl three times.
• Ronnie Lott - Chosen 8th overall by the San Francisco 49ers, Lott quickly established himself as one of the greatest safeties in NFL history. Over his 14-year career, Lott earned 10 Pro Bowl selections, six First-Team All-Pro honors, and four Super Bowl championships. Lott was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

4. Hard-Hitting Heroes: The 1994 Safety Class

The 1994 NFL Draft saw the arrival of another group of remarkable safeties, who would go on to torment offenses across the league. Here are some of the most notable safeties from the 1994 class:

• John Lynch - Drafted in the 3rd round (82nd overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lynch became a key contributor to the Buccaneers' dominant defense in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Over his 15-year career, he earned nine Pro Bowl selections and was named a First-Team All-Pro twice, helping the Buccaneers win Super Bowl XXXVII.
• Eric Turner - Selected 2nd overall by the Cleveland Browns, Turner quickly established himself as a ball-hawking safety with a knack for making big plays. Over his eight-year career, Turner earned two Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor, as well as leading the league in interceptions in 1994.
• Merton Hanks - Chosen in the 5th round (122nd overall) by the San Francisco 49ers, Hanks was known for his distinctive "chicken dance" celebration after making big plays. Over his 12-year career, Hanks earned four Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor, playing a crucial role in the 49ers' Super Bowl victories in 1994 and 1995.

5. Modern-Day Defenders: The 2010 Safety Class

The 2010 NFL Draft ushered in a new generation of safety talent, with several players quickly establishing themselves as dominant forces on the field. Some of the top safeties from this class include:

• Earl Thomas - Drafted 14th overall by the Seattle Seahawks, Thomas has become one of the most dynamic and consistent safeties in NFL history. Thus far in his career, Thomas has earned seven Pro Bowl selections, three First-Team All-Pro honors, and helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII.
• T.J. Ward - Selected in the 2nd round (38th overall) by the Cleveland Browns, Ward emerged as a hard-hitting and reliable safety during his eight-year career. During his career, Ward accumulated two Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor, as well as playing a key role in the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl victory in 2015.
• Kam Chancellor - Chosen in the 5th round (133rd overall) by the Seattle Seahawks, Chancellor quickly became known for his physicality and hard-hitting style of play. Over his eight-year career, Chancellor earned four Pro Bowl selections and one Second-Team All-Pro honor, helping the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII and reach the Super Bowl twice more.