Five Weakest and Strongest Secondaries in the NFL

As we look back at the 2024 season and the rosters that defined it, we take a look today at the best and worst secondaries according to roster talent this past season. As always, we used our Havoc Ratings which aggregates individual player contributions, so this is more of a commentary on the individual players that make up each unit than how the unit performed together.

Strongest- Indianapolis Colts (88.9 Havoc rating)

Gus Bradley eventually lost his job as the Colts' defensive coordinator but he's never lost the ability to shepherd quality secondaries like he has since his Seattle days. The defensive backfield was the best unit in the entire franchise with Kenny Moore (CB8), who lived up to his year-old contract extension, and Nick Cross (CB2 in rush Havoc) ranking very favorably amongst their colleagues. The defense lost its way with the front seven and defending the run because even in its relative depth, the corners and safeties held their end of the bargain. In their young careers, Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents contributed at a rate consistent with the veterans on the roster, which should be exciting for new DC Lou Anarumo.

Weakest- Jacksonville Jaguars (55.6 Havoc rating)

For as bad as Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones were at times in Jacksonville, the true tragedy was the backend of the defense, spelling the end of the line for ex-DC Ryan Nielsen early in the season. Their safeties ranked dead last in the NFL as a group, only further defining the abysmal play from their last line, but former Wyoming Cowboy and safety Andrew Wingard (77.4 coverage Havoc rating) is their highest rated drop back player. A multitude of players found themselves in the teal and mustard leading to the inability to build enough consistency to fix what was already broken midseason.

2nd Strongest- Detroit Lions (85.0 Havoc rating)

The best safety duo in the entirety of the NFL made their homes at Ford Field in 2024. Aaron Glenn earned his head coaching opportunity thanks in part to Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, who have developed wonderfully in this toughness era in Detroit. When Aidan Hutchinson went down, the defense was expected to lose the Lions' season, and they eventually did, but it wasn't before they outperformed themselves to win the NFC North in the final week of the season. Amik Robertson was praised for his performance against Justin Jefferson in Week 18, but the shutdown wouldn't have been possible if Glenn hadn't instituted such quality principles from the start of his tenure until the end.

2nd Weakest- Cleveland Browns (59.5 Havoc rating)

The Browns returned to the routine of being at or near the bottom of the league, but if any part should've held up it was the secondary. With Jim Schwartz, whose been around forever and a half, mentoring a talented core of players, the Cleveland defense hosted two of the top passing offense in the league within their own division. Even Pittsburgh's deep threat ability featured effectively down the stretch. Cleveland employed the NFL's worst corners despite Denzel Ward making plenty of plays with a 80.8 Havoc rating, leading all at the position. Grant Delpit's top 5 performance as a run-stopping safety still wasn't enough to dig the Browns' defensive backs from the floor of the league.

3rd Strongest- Chicago Bears (83.3 Havoc rating)

Matt Eberflus' defensive coaching abilities were only called into concern once the Hail Mary completed vs. Washington and Chicago fell off the most amusing cliff in recent memory. Once Eberflus was dismissed and some Chicago players went into business for themselves, the most productive and effective position group was the secondary. Jaquan Brisker will be one of new DC Dennis Allen's favorite weapons as a top 10 safety in run defense. Kevin Byard continued his efficiency as the sixth-best safety in overall Havoc. Jaylon Johnson also danced near the top-10 corners but didn't crack in, adding to the elite defensive backfield set up for the Ben Johnson era at Soldier Field.

3rd Weakest- Miami Dolphins (62.8 Havoc rating)

Some have accused the Dolphins' infrastructure of being flimsy even in the best of times, but the inability to field an effective defense has hampered them particularly in the AFC. They've spent most of the cap on the offensive side of the ball and it shows. Jalen Ramsey, beyond his prime, wasn't enough to ratchet up the performance from the 2023 porous squad. Jordan Poyer is well past the point of wondering what the injured veteran will do next, but Miami hasn't found a suitable successor yet. The only route out of the darkness for this woeful secondary is to properly devote resources to it in the upcoming draft and otherwise.

4th Strongest- Houston Texans (82.8 Havoc rating)

Derek Stingley's new bank account proves why the Texans are rated so highly. Kamari Lassiter was the CJ Stroud of rookie corners in 2024, ranking as a top-10 player at his position (88.7). The elite performances of the edges of their defense held their entire team up, but Calen Bullock's contributions were massive for DeMeco Ryans' team. From an eye test perspective, Jalen Pitre adds another flair to this team that already has such an advantage with Will Anderson rushing the passer. If the offense can return to its 2023 level (a healthy Nico Collins full time ought to help) and the defense maintains, then Houston will be a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball.

4th Weakest- New England Patriots (64.5 Havoc rating)

I blame most of the Patriots' problems on a great lack of talent and the deficit being incredibly grand between them and the rest of the division post-Brady and Belichick. Jabrill Peppers (93.3 Havoc) and Christian Gonzalez (82.6 Havoc) are at or near the elite levels, but it's not enough to drag the rest of their teammates (or team) along for the ride. If the Patriots use their picks right or a Travis Hunter falls to them at #4 then a resurrection could be possible in Massachusetts.

5th Strongest- Arizona Cardinals (78.9 Havoc rating)

The Cardinals' secondary is one of those groups you don't realize is as good as it is until further study. Budda Baker might be the best in the world at what he does and very few smart people would disagree with that notion. Starling Thomas V performed as one of the top 25 best corners in zone, fitting into a Jonathan Gannon system that favors plenty of defensive back on the field. Kei'Trel Clark has cared a role into this defense and is its top overall corner in Havoc. Depending on how the NFC West falls in 2025, the Cardinals could make improvements to a defensive front in much need of it.

5th Weakest- Cincinatti Bengals (65.5 Havoc rating)

The punchline that effectively ended the Bengals season before it started was their flippant dismissals of Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell after 2023. Their absences didn't set Lou Anarumo up for success and he will be calling the defense for the Colts in 2025. Mike Hilton maintained great numbers (#1 CB in run defense) but teams abused the other Cincy corners. Dax Hill and Geno Stone put up decent Havoc ratings, but the proof is in the pudding with how obviously bad the Bengals defense was in 2024.

As we dive in, we look forward to the conversation, debate, and your feedback. Hit us up at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, or on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.