Expelliarmus! By this formula, Harry Potter manages to disarm his enemies. And with the “Riddikulus” spell, he knows how to stop the most formidable. The players below also have a magic wand to beat their opponents in the air and on the ground.
Harry Potter Tier
He is the hero of the saga, the most gifted of all.
Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), Justin Simmons (Broncos)
In JK Rowling’s saga, the king sport is Quidditch. As in the NFL, you have to score points for the opponent and, like in the NFL, certain actions have more impact than others. Catch the ‘golden snitch’ for Harry Potter and intercept the ball in football.
With 6 interceptions in 2022, Minkah Fitzpatrick is a master at covering. Five seasons and already 19 interceptions for the Steelers player! Author of 220 tackles over the last two seasons, Minkah Fitzpatrick flaunts his complete training at the University of Alabama, where he was used in all possible ways: free safety, strong safety and nickel cornerback, with assignments against the run and against the pass.
Justin Simmons also signed 6 interceptions in 2022. And in just 12 games played! No wonder after 4 interceptions in 2019, 5 in 2020 and another 5 in 2021. With cornerback Patrick Surtain, he allows the Broncos’ defense to be among the best in the country (7th NFL in 2022 in yards conceded).
Hermione GrangerTier
Hermione has the answer! Like these players with their versatility.
Derwin James (Chargers), Micah Hyde (Bills), Eddie Jackson (Bears), Jessie Bates (Falcons), Jeremy Chinn (Panthers), Xavier McKinney (Giants), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Lions), Kyle Hamilton (Ravens), Jalen Pitre (Texans)
Gradually, the safety position took on importance to the detriment of the linebacker position. These players with hybrid physics, capable of defending the run but also the pass, are more and more popular in the NFL. Micah Hyde, Eddie Jackson, Jessie Bates, Jeremy Chinn, Xavier McKinney or Chauncey Gardner-Johnson know how to do everything on the back line. Tackling runners, covering tight-ends or receivers inside the marks, and sometimes putting pressure with blitz (looking for excess numbers against the offensive line).
Already at Florida State University, Derwin James was a UFO: so big, so strong and yet so fast! Hampered by an injury that only allowed him to play 5 games in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, his other three seasons in the NFL are fantastic: 361 tackles including 10 sacks and 7 interceptions. He knows how to do everything, he has the answer to everything!
The succession seems assured with the young and versatile Kyle Hamilton, Jalen Pitre and Brian Branch.
Albus Dumbledore Tier
He is the elder, the sage of history. But his power is still formidable!
Harrison Smith (Vikings), Kevin Byard (Titans), Jordan Poyer (Bills), Kareem Jackson (Broncos)
Already eleven seasons for Harrison Smith and more than 1000 tackles (including playoffs). Four seasons where he signs 5 interceptions: 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2022! This 34-year-old player knows how to do everything and this dates back to his training at the University of Notre Dame, where he played a third of the time as a linebacker. Performing in the NCAA and incredibly athletic in the NFL Combine, the Vikings exchanged picks with Baltimore to choose him at the end of the 1st round of the 2012 draft (29th pick): an investment that has largely paid off!
In 2022, Kareem Jackson (35) was Denver’s most used defender (99.56% of defensive plays)! And if the starting doublet for 2023 should be made up of Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns, Kareem Jackson will still bring all his experience and quality (94 tackles in 2022). Jordan Poyer (32) is entering his 11th NFL season and his 4 interceptions (in 12 2022 games) match the 5 interceptions made in 2021.
Kevin Byard is the youngest in this category (30 years old) but his 8 seasons in the NFL make him a credible definition of the expression “safe bet”. Over the period 2017-2022, no NFL safety did better than his 27 interceptions! As a result, the famous video game Madden NFL 24 gives it the 4th safeties rating (rating of 92).
Important detail in a sport where injuries are the fear of coaches, Kevin Byard has not missed a match since his draft in 2016!
Voldemort Tier
This cursed magician is the villain of the saga. Just like these intimidating playstyle players!
Jamal Adams (Seahawks), Talanoa Hufanga (49ers), Kyle Dugger (Patriots)
Is he a safety or a linebacker? Either way, Jamal Adams is punishing opposing heroes by being the best safety in the NFL to ground quarterbacks. If not for his health concerns, he would be the ultimate villain in his position. In his absence, and in the same NFC West division, Talanoa Hufanga is manager John Lynch’s latest find: chosen in 180th position in 2021.
Trained at the same university as the legendary Troy Polamalu (defensive player of the 2010 season), he is like his predecessor a formidable puncher! Capable of inflicting shocks saying “don’t come back to my zone”, he also provides cover as evidenced by his 4 interceptions in 2022.
Kyle Dugger has been able to trace his path from the 3rd level university to the NFL. The Pro Football Focus site gives him the rating of 5th NFL safety on the cover and the 11th against the run in 2022. And regularly, he delivers a contact that the opponent remembers in his flesh!
Dobby Tier
This elf is small in size but big in power.
Tyrann Mathieu (Saints), Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson (Cardinals), Antoine Winfield (Bucaneers), Quandre Diggs (Seahawks), Jimmie Ward (Texans), Darrick Forrest (Commanders)
So effective and so spectacular with Louisiana State University, Tyrann Mathieu slipped in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft because of a strong appetite for smoking illicit products. Nine seasons in the NFL and eight at very high level (injured 10 games between 2015 and 2016). A player with a very above average football IQ, he more than compensates for his lack of size, both in coverage and in defending the run.
If no other sector seems to go in the team of the Cardinals, the position of safeties are held in an excellent way. Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson both lack height and yet they form a duo as complementary as they are formidable!
Quandre Diggs is the prototype of free safety. Five interceptions in 2020, five more in 2021 and four in 2022! This double position most often combines a skillful player in coverage like him, with a player to put pressure and stop runners: Antoine Winfield signed 4 sacks on his 80 tackles in 2022. If he is not big according to the NFL standards, he is nevertheless a formidable tackler.
Ron Weasley Tier
Less in the light than Harry Potter, Ron Weasley is however an indispensable element.
Rayshawn Jenkins (Jaguars)Grant Delpit (Browns), Marcus Epps (Raiders), Kamren Curl (Commanders), John Johnson (Rams), Jevon Holland (Dolphins), Jayron Kearse (Cowboys), Tracy Walker (Lions)
A totally “under the radar” player, Rayshawn Jenkins deserves more recognition. Precious for defending the race (130 tackles in 2022), he is the leader of a defense that finished the 2022 financial year in 6th position on the balls recovered! His 3 interceptions as well as his 3 forced fumbles set the tone for his teammates.
After a rookie season in the rotation in 2021 (53% of defensive plays), Grant Delpit was the most used defender by the Browns in 2022. And if he received relatively little media coverage, he met his coach’s expectations. with 105 tackles and 10 passes defended including 4 interceptions! Marcus Epps was in the shadow of Philadelphia’s defensive stars but he clearly made his contribution with 107 tackles in 20 games (including 3 playoffs).
Harry Potter/NFL Crossover Cast
– Harry Potter: Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers)
– Hermione Granger: Derwin James (Chargers)
-Albus Dumbledore: Harrison Smith (Vikings)
– Voldemort: Talanoa Hufanga (49ers)
– Dobby: Tyrann Mathieu (Saints)
– Ron Weasley: Rayshawn Jenkins (Jaguars)
