Detroit has arguably the best safety duo in the NFL in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, but general manager Brad Holmes is looking to stack talent at every position group knowing how injuries can stress a team's depth.
Detroit doesn't have a ton of playing experience on the roster behind Joseph and Branch. The Lions signed veteran cornerback Avonte Maddox this offseason and Holmes said he has the versatility to play nickel and safety, which he was excited about.
Adding a young safety to improve the depth and learn behind two of the best in the business could certainly be an option for the Lions coming out of the draft.
Safety class draft strength: Production. It's not a 2025 safety class loaded with top-end talent, but it's a mostly experienced group that's pretty deep and features a lot of ball production, something the Lions really value at the position.
Lions safety depth chart: Joseph, Branch, Maddox, Loren Strickland, Morice Norris, Erick Hallett.
View photos of the top safety prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Iowa defensive back Sebastian Castro gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Troy, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Sebastian Castro runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori (7) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona State wide receiver Melquan Stovall (5) during overtime in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. Texas won 39-31 in two overtime periods. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Penn State safety Jaylen Reed (1) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Penn State defensive back Jaylen Reed runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) follows a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts celebrates after a defensive stop during the second half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts, left, tackles Southern California tight end Walker Lyons (85) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) reacts after tackling Michigan State running back Nathan Carter during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Penn State defensive back Kevin Winston Jr. runs the 40-yard dash during the school's NFL football pro day Friday, March 28, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Lions safety draft priority: Lower end. Holmes has expressed interest in re-signing Joseph, who led the NFL with nine interceptions last season and is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Branch has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
Joseph and Branch stayed relatively healthy last season but adding some young depth to that room isn't a bad idea. New Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard values versatility in his defenders and Detroit likes to create a number of different packages with the safety group to maximize their skillset and versatility.
Five safeties who could fit the Lions:
1. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
6-3, 220. 4.38 40-yard dash
This one would probably require the Lions moving up in the first round because Emmanwori seems like a prospect who is climbing draft boards after an impressive pre-draft process that saw him register a 43-inch vertical and 11-foot-6 broad jump. He's capable of playing in the box and over the top, and a creative defensive mind can have fun with his skillset.
2. Malaki Starks, Georgia
6-1, 197. 4.5 40-yard dash
Starks was a Jim Thorpe finalist in each of the last two seasons for the Bulldogs as the best defensive back in the nation. He's a three-year starter (42 games) and really shows up in the run game, where he led Georgia's defense with 77 tackles last season. He's got the football IQ to be a chess piece for a defense.
3. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
6-0, 204. 4.56 40-yard dash
Watts was one of only two players (Travis Hunter) to be consensus All-Americans each of the last two seasons. What stands out about Watts is the ball production. He tied for second in the FBS in interceptions last season with six and that was after tying for the lead in 2023 with seven. He's got terrific ball skills, range and instincts to be an early playmaker.
4. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
6-1 1/2, 215. 4.50 40-yard dash
A knee injury ended his 2024 season after just three games, so he doesn't have a ton of experience with only one full season in 2023 as a starter. He's got NFL size, traits and pretty good cover skills to go along with being a sure tackler. He was a team captain in 2024 and a player with a high ceiling the more reps he gets.
5. Andrew Mukuba, Texas
5-11, 186. 4.45 40-yard dash
Mukuba started his career at Clemson and transferred to Texas last season, where he finished top five in the FBS with five interceptions. He's a four-year starter with a ton of experience and good instincts with all those logged reps. He's got terrific speed and he added seven passes defended to those five interceptions this past season.
