All-NFC South Team of the 2020s: All four squads represented at safety

All four teams in the division are represented at safety on our All-NFC South Team of the 2020s, but two squads are pretty clearly ahead of the others. The New Orleans Saints' best safety of the decade so far, Tyrann Mathieu, isn't even on the team anymore. But he still gave his hometown team some great performances during a couple of rough seasons. Here's who joins him from the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

MethodologyOne key stat we're relying on is Approximate Value from Pro Football Reference, which PFR defines as "an attempt to put a single number on the seasonal value of a player at any position from any year." In practice, that means giving higher numbers to player who start more games, play more snaps, and do more to help their team win by racking up yards, scoring touchdowns, creating turnovers and sacking quarterbacks, and so on. We're also assigning point values to being named a first-team All-Pro (ten points), second-team All-Pro (five points), and Pro Bowler (three points). And then we're adding those numbers together. Remember, these are all-decade teams for the NFC South, which didn't exist until 2002, and only contributions on the four teams in the division factor into our formula. So Drew Brees earning a Pro Bowl nod with the San Diego Chargers in 2005 doesn't help him, for example.

First team: Antoine Winfield Jr.

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020 to present) • >AV: 48 • >Awards: All-Pro first team (1), Pro Bowler (2) • >Score: 64Winfield arrived at the perfect time for this list. He was picked in the second round of the 2020 draft and immediately won Defensive Rookie of the Year votes before earning Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition in three of the next five years. He's an outstanding defender in coverage who tackles well and gives opposing quarterbacks fits. He's going to remain a problem for a long time.

First team: Jessie Bates III

Team: Atlanta Falcons (2023 to present) • >AV: 29 • >Awards: All-Pro second team (2), Pro Bowler (1) • >Score: 42Bates was a big-time free agent signing by Atlanta a couple of offseasons ago, and he's lived up to the billing. He's credited with 13 interceptions and eight forced fumbles as well as 27 passes defensed and 332 tackles -- something he's accomplished in just 51 games. He's been a problem for the Saints in every game they've had with the Falcons since he arrived in the NFC South.

Second team: Jeremy Chinn

Team: Carolina Panthers (2020 to 2023) • >AV: 20 • >Awards: N/A • >Score: 20Chinn wore a couple of different hats in Carolina, initially being listed at linebacker as a rookie and posting back-to-back seasons with 100-plus tackles to start his career. He remained a defensive playmaker for the Panthers despite missing time in his last two years with hamstring and quadriceps injuries. He's kept his career going with the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders but hasn't yet returned to his previous heights.

Second team: Tyrann Mathieu

Team: New Orleans Saints (2022 to 2024) • >AV: 20 • >Awards: N/A • >Score: 20Mathieu came home to finish his 12-year NFL career, signing with the Saints in 2022 and leading the team in interceptions in each of his three seasons. He also had 228 tackles, 24 passes defensed, and five fumbles (three forced, two recovered) to go with those 10 interceptions. At a time when the Saints were unstable at so many positions, he gave New Orleans someone to cheer for.

More All-NFC South Team of the 2020sQuarterbacks • >Running backs • >Wide receivers • >Tight ends • >Offensive line • >Edge rushers • >Defensive tackles • >LinebackersThis article originally appeared on Saints Wire: All-NFC South Team of the 2020s: All four squads represented at safety