The Detroit Lions lost a few familiar faces in their secondary this offseason, and one of those was Ifeatu Melifonwu, who signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. While Melifonwu never really locked down a starting job during his four seasons in Detroit, he was still a solid, versatile piece who could play both safety and corner. But with injuries limiting him to just three games last season, the Lions clearly felt it was time to move on.
Enter Avonte Maddox.
Detroit scooped up the former Eagles DB—who just so happens to be a Detroit native—on a one-year, $2 million deal. And early signs point to this being a sneaky-good pickup. Maddox has experience in the slot and at safety, and he’s already made an impression during OTAs. Head coach Dan Campbell had nothing but good things to say about both Maddox and fellow new addition D.J. Reed, praising how well they’re fitting in with the team.
Maddox isn’t expected to start right away, but with the kind of energy and versatility he’s showing, don’t be surprised if he earns a key rotational role—especially if he can stay healthy, which has been a bit of an issue for him the past couple seasons. He got off to a strong start last year in Philly before Cooper DeJean eventually took over nickel duties, but he still showed he can ball when given the opportunity.
Bottom line: While some fans may have been worried about losing Melifonwu, Maddox is already proving that he might be the better fit. If he keeps trending the way he is now, the Lions may have found themselves a hidden gem for 2025.
Lions Found Melifonwu’s Replacement Fast — and He’s Impressing at OTAs
