While defensive linemen do much of the dirty work in the trenches and the speedy cornerbacks have the highlight reel interceptions, there's nothing like a strong safety patroling the middle of the field. Having an imposing force in the secondary will make wide receivers think twice before turning their head on that slant route.
The Bleacher Report continued their rankings of football's 1,000 best players, this time giving a rundown of the league's top strong safeties. As expected, the Steelers' Troy Polamalu was given the distinction as being the best of the best.
New England's James Ihedigbo comes in as just the 30th best strong safety in the NFL. Meanwhile, fellow AFC East safety, George Wilson of the Buffalo Bills, was tabbed as the second best in all of football.
Other notable strong safeties include the generally underrated Adrian Wilson of the Arizona Cardinals, coming in as the third best safety and San Francisco's Donte Whitner ranking sixth.
The Bleacher Report will continue their NFL1000 rankings on March 26 with a rundown of the league's best free safeties.
More NFL 1,000 Rankings: Quarterbacks I Fullbacks I Left Tackles I Right Tackles I Centers I Right Guards I Tight Ends I Left Guards I Punters I Kickers
