The Detroit Lions have arguably the top safety duo in the NFL in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, but they could use more depth and competition behind those two. Lions GM Brad Holmes addressed that by picking Georgia safety Dan Jackson in the seventh round with the No. 230 overall pick.
Jackson was a chess piece for Kirby Smart's attacking defense last year lining up in a number of different spots. That's important because the Lions move their safeties around and value versatility with some of their three-safety packages on defense.
View photos of safety Dan Jackson.
Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (17) runs the ball after making an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)
Arkansas punter Reid Bauer (30) has his punt blocked by Georgia's Dan Jackson (47) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Athens, Ga. Georgia recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia's Dan Jackson (17) runs a drill during the school's NFL Pro Day, Wednesday, March, 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
FILE -Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (47) celebrates a defensive stop against Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 in Athens, Ga. Georgia safety Dan Jackson is facing foot surgery that could end his season. Coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 that Jackson, tied for sixth on the team in tackles, won't be available for No. 1 Georgia in Saturday's game against Florida in Jacksonville.(AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Georgia's Dan Jackson (17) runs a drill during the school's NFL Pro Day, Wednesday, March, 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (47) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Arkansas punter Reid Bauer (30) has his punt blocked by Georgia's Dan Jackson (47) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Athens, Ga. Georgia recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (47) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Georgia won 62-0. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Georgia's Dan Jackson runs a drill during the school's NFL Pro Day, Wednesday, March, 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown (7) is tackled by Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (17) sets up for a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
National team running back Ollie Gordon II, top, of Oklahoma State, is tackled by American team defensive back Dan Jackson, bottom, of Georgia, as he carries the ball during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (17) defends during the second half of an NCAA football game against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Mississippi wide receiver Jordan Watkins (11) tackles Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)
Missouri running back Dawson Downing (28) fends off Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (47) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Athens, Ga.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Jackson was a walk-on before earning a starting job in 2024. He started 13 games and recorded 64 tackles, one forced fumble, five passes defended and two interceptions. On 33 targets thrown his way in 2024, Jackson did not surrender a touchdown and allowed a passer rating of 56.3, per Pro Football Focus.
He has a chance to make an immediate impact on special teams at the NFL level.
"On special teams I'm willing to play anywhere," said Jackson, who blocked a punt and a field goal at Georgia as a core special teams player. "That's how I got started at Georgia. That was my goal just to be on the field and contribute to the team any way I could. That's my same goal and same aspirations now."
Jackson plays a physical brand of football that should play well on Detroit's defensive and special teams units.
"I think three main things I've always prided myself on is I'm fast, I'm physical and I'm tough, and an emphasis on the last one there," Jackson said. "I think that's why I was able to have the success in college I had. I just can't wait to be a part of the Lions culture they built and I'm extremely excited to be a part of that."
