Shilo Sanders’ NFL journey didn’t start as he had hoped. After being passed over in all seven rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, the outspoken safety quickly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and now has everything to prove.
But before he even takes a snap, Sanders is already making controversies off the field. On May 5, he dropped his top five greatest safeties in NFL history, and while some names were no-brainers, one unexpected pick left fans asking: “Wait, seriously?”
Shilo Sanders’ Top 5 Safeties Picks Leave Fans Shook, with 1 Surprise Name
The safety position has always been about impact, whether delivering big hits or picking off passes in clutch moments. With so many legends, naming the greatest ever is no easy task. But Sanders didn’t hesitate; here is his list of the top five all-time safeties:
- Ed Reed
- Ryan Clark
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- Troy Polamalu
- Jessie Bates
TRENDING: #Bucs rookie defensive back Shilo Sanders top five safeties in #NFL history.
1) Ed Reed
2) Ryan Clark
3) C.J. Gardner-Johnson
4) Troy Polamalu
5) Jessie Bates😳😳😳
(Via fullsendpodcast) pic.twitter.com/jkwfLjHgWv
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 4, 2025
No surprise here, Sanders put Ed Reed at the top of his list, and it’s hard to argue. Widely regarded as one of the most instinctive and dangerous ball hawks the NFL has ever seen, Reed was a nightmare for QBs and offensive coordinators alike.
The long-time Ravens star racked up 64 career interceptions, the seventh-most in league history, and holds the record for interception return yards at 1,590. In 2004, he won Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the league with nine picks, including a memorable 106-yard return for a touchdown that once stood as the longest in NFL history.
A nine-time Pro Bowler and five-time First-Team All-Pro, Reed’s résumé is loaded, capped by a 2012 Super Bowl win that solidified his legacy among the all-time greats.
Sanders’ Surprise Pick: Ryan Clark over Troy Polamalu?
Sanders raised more than a few eyebrows with his No. 2 pick, Ryan Clark, ranking him ahead of Troy Polamalu. One fan perfectly summed up the internet’s reaction with the comment:
“Picking Ryan Clark ahead of Troy is so on-brand for these guys.”
Sure, it’s a controversial choice, but maybe Sanders sees something personal in Clark’s story. Like Sanders, Clark went undrafted, yet he carved out a gritty, impressive NFL career.
The former LSU Tigers safety signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and went on to play for Washington Redskins and, most notably, the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won a Super Bowl and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2011.
His career numbers? He had 938 tackles, 16 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and much respect from his peers.
Why does Sanders’ selection of Clark over Polamalu not sit well with fans? Many consider Polamalu a generational talent known for his instincts, explosive plays, and ability to flip a game instantly.
Polamalu, a lifelong Pittsburgh Steeler, led the team in interceptions and helped them reach the playoffs in seven of his 12 seasons, winning two Super Bowls. In 2010, he earned Defensive Player of the Year with seven interceptions and a season full of highlight-reel moments.
He finished his NFL career with 783 tackles, 32 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, and five defensive touchdowns. Add in eight Pro Bowls, four First-Team All-Pro selections, and a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s, and it’s hard to argue he isn’t one of the best to do it.
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All in all, Clark might not be among the first names in all-time safety debates, but those who watched the Steelers during those years know just how vital he was.
While Polamalu drew headlines with his instinctive, highlight-reel plays, Clark brought balance to the back end; he cleaned up when Polamalu’s high-risk style didn’t pay. Together, they weren’t just teammates — they were one of their era’s most complementary safety duos.
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