There are several talented AFC West defensive backs, but who are the cream of the crop? Whether it’s a cornerback or safety, defensive backs don’t get the same attention as quarterbacks do.
However, they’re still important players on the football field, who defend against the opposing team’s passing game and provide a layer of support against runners. It’s time to look at the five best AFC West defensive backs, heading into the 2026 campaign.
Ranking the Top AFC West Defensive Backs for 2026
5. Donte Jackson, Safety, Los Angeles Chargers
Players like Kansas City Chiefs rookie Mansoor Delane and Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson could’ve made the fifth spot on this Top AFC West Defensive Backs list. But instead, Los Angeles Chargers safety Donte Jackson gets the nod here.
Jackson has recorded nine interceptions and 20 passes defensed over the past two years. Last season, he had a team-best 12 passes defensed and was tied for the team lead with four interceptions.
2025 was a Pro Bowl-caliber season for Jackson although he didn’t receive the honor. Maybe he’ll get the job done this year.
4. Brandon Jones, Safety, Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have one of the NFL’s strongest defenses, and safety Brandon Jones is one of the reasons behind that. The former Miami Dolphin serves as the communicative engine of Denvers’ Broncos’ seconary, providing elite coverage each and every week.
Jones suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 15 last season. Yet, he finished the year with 78 tackles, seven passes defensed, and one interception through 14 games. Without a doubt, he’s one of the best AFC West defensive backs for 2026.
3. Talanoa Hufanga, Safety, Denver Broncos
In 2005, the Broncos signed former San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga to a three-year, $45 million contract. It has proved to be a great signing so far, as he earned second-team All-Pro honors with 11 passes defensed, six tackles for loss, and two sacks last season.
Talanoa played in all 17 games a season ago, which is great, seeing that he played a total of 17 games across the previous two years. When healthy, he’s exactly the kind of player a team needs in their secondary.
2. Derwin James, Safety, Los Angeles Chargers
Derwin James is certainly one of the best AFC defensive backs and perhaps the top safety in the NFL. The Florida State product was drafted by the Chargers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He immediately became an impact player in Los Angeles, being named a First-Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler during his first year in the league.
James was then bitten hard by the injury bug for a couple of years. However, he has played in at least 14 games in each of the past five seasons and has totaled 7.5 sacks over the past two years.
The Chargers made it clear that they wanted to keep him around as they signed him to a three-year, $75.6 million contract extension earlier this offseason. The deal makes him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
1. Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback, Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain II is easily the best cornerback in the NFL, as he possesses the ability to lock down opposing wide receivers consistently. He was drafted ninth overall by the Broncos in 2021, and that has proven to be one of the smartest moves the franchise has ever made.
Surtain’s impressive resume includes three All-Pro selections, four Pro Bowls, and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Award. Last season, he helped lead the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the New England Patriots. A veteran coordinator said Surtain was the best player on the field in that game, which is crazy, knowing that his team didn’t win. That’s just how good he is.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
