The safety position has some of the most varied set of responsibilities of any position on the football field. Safeties are tasked with stopping the run, defending the pass, and rushing the passer. Their roles can be anything from a light linebacker to an extra cornerback, to a literal last line of defense, and everything in between.
As a result, safeties can take on a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and athletic profiles. But generally speaking, the more athletic and versatile a safety, the better.
Of course, there’s also something to be said about experience, as well.