Madden 20: The best safeties on Ultimate Team (MUT) – McCourty, Randall, Joyner & more

In the eyes of many, the NFL is a passing league, and with various Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce cards available to tear apart a defense, the importance of dynamic defensive players has never been higher.

Enter the safeties. Safeties have the potential to impact the game, unlike most other positions. Not only are they assets in defending the run, but the best can take away the entire deep portion of the field – see: Ed Reed.

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To get close to the level Ed Reed reached during his career, you’ll want these safeties with the best coverage ratings, both man and zone, in MUT.

Devin McCourty, Series 3 Master (94 OVR)

Coverage ability: 90 MCV, 94 ZCV

Position: FS

Team Chemistry: New England Patriots

Auction House Value: Xbox – 1.8m/PS4 – 2.0m/PC – 1.5m

This McCourty card is unbelievably good. His ratings would make him one of the best cornerbacks in the game, but add that to a safety and he is a mismatch.

He has all of the physical tools you’ll need, with 89 speed, acceleration and agility, but he has 96 awareness, 96 play recognition, 87 pursuit, and 77 tackle. He will cover every blade of grass and is a very good tackler from the safety position.

Damarious Randall, Signature Series (92 OVR)

Coverage ability: 83 MCV, 92 ZCV

Position: FS

Team Chemistry: Cleveland Browns

Auction House Value: Xbox – 686k/PS4 – 730k/PC – N/A

Perhaps not a name you’d expect to see on here given the lack of national attention, but Randall has been very good for the Browns, and this version of his card is crazy good from the safety spot.

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With 88 speed, 90 awareness and 90 play recognition to go with his 92 zone coverage, you’ll have trouble getting a ball past him in the backend. Then add 90 pursuit and 76 tackling and it’ll be tough to run past him, too.

Lamarcus Joyner, MUT Heroes (91 OVR)

Coverage ability: 85 MCV, 90 ZCV

Position: FS

Team Chemistry: Oakland Raiders

Auction House Value: Xbox – 169k/PS4 – 151k/PC – 165k

Joyner was one of the marquee free agent acquisitions of the summer for the Raiders and the early returns have left him the recipient of a MUT Heroes card, which is one of the most versatile safeties in the game.

He may only have 86 speed and be 5’8”, but with 87 jumping and the rest of his ratings he is a beast. 93 awareness and play recognition, crazy cover skills including 85 press, then 85 pursuit, 76 tackling and 82 hit power make him a great safety and slot cornerback.

Earl Thomas, Most Feared (92 OVR)

Coverage ability: 80 MCV, 94 ZCV

Position: FS

Team Chemistry: Baltimore Ravens

Auction House Value: Xbox – 238k/PS4 – 256k/PC – 251k

Earl Thomas has long been heralded as the best free safety in the game, excelling in the center fielder type role dominated by Ed Reed. This card reflects that.

Like Joyner, he has 86 speed and is ‘undersized’ at 5’10”, but you really don’t have to worry. 80 man coverage isn’t as high as others on this list, but it isn’t exactly bad. However, you should look to dominate with his zone coverage, 93 play recognition, 93 awareness, 89 jumping, 77 tackling and 85 power.

He flies around the field making plays, this card is worth the coins.

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Team of the Week (91 OVR)

Coverage ability: 86 MVC, 88 ZCV

Position: FS

Team Chemistry: Pittsburgh Steelers

Auction House Value: Xbox – 235k/PS4 – 221k/PC – 246k

Fitzpatrick has been playing out of his mind since he was traded to the Steelers by the Dolphins, and he finally got the card he deserved with this TOTW 10 Defensive Hero.

Fitzpatrick will thrive in man coverage in the slot or over the top in zone, and opponents will struggle to beat him. In large part due to his insane 94 play recognition, 89 speed and 92 acceleration. He reacts so quickly and flies to make a play. Tack on 85 pursuit, 67 tackling and 84 hit power and you’ve nothing to worry about in the run game.

The top coverage safeties in MUT

Player	Position	Team	Program	OVR	MCV	ZCV
Devin McCourty	FS	New England Patriots	Series 3 Master	94	90	94
Damarious Randall	FS	Cleveland Browns	Signature Series	92	83	92
Lamarcus Joyner	FS	Oakland Raiders	MUT Heroes	91	85	90
Earl Thomas III	FS	Baltimore Ravens	Most Feared	92	80	94
Minkah Fitzpatrick	FS	Pittsburgh Steelers	TOTW	91	86	88
Eddie Jackson	FS	Chicago Bears	Series Redux (Signature Series)	90	81	93
Jamal Adams	SS	New York Jets	MUT Heroes	91	86	87
Jordan Poyer	SS	Buffalo Bills	Ultimate Kickoff	89	83	90
Troy Polamalu	SS	Pittsburgh Steelers	MUT 10	93	70	91
Ed Reed	SS	Baltimore Ravens	Legends	91	80	90
Calvin Johnson	FS	Detroit Lions	Series Redux (MUT 10)	92	77	91
Tyrann Mathieu	FS	Arizona Cardinals	Flashbacks	90	85	83
Harrison Smith	SS	Minnesota Vikings	MUT Superstars	89	79	89
Malik Hooker	FS	Indianapolis Colts	MUT Heroes	90	79	88
Merton Hanks	FS	San Francisco 49ers	Theme Diamonds	88	78	87
Tramon Williams	FS	Green bay Packers	Veterans	84	81	84
Brian Dawkins	FS	Philadelphia Eagles	Legends	91	75	89
Keanu Neal	SS	Atlanta Falcons	Most Feared	90	79	85
Malcolm Jenkins	SS	New Orleans Saints	Flashbacks	88	75	89
Micah Hyde	FS	Buffalo Bills	Theme Builders	86	77	87