The Lions’ safety battle behind starters Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph is heating up and could be one of the most intense competitions of the offseason. They brought in veteran Avonte Maddox — a guy known for locking down the nickel/safety spot since his Eagles days — to mix things up, but don’t sleep on the young guns ready to crash the party.
Safeties coach Jim O’Neil made it clear: Maddox will handle that inside role, but beyond him, there’s a hungry group of five rookies and young players all clawing for just one spot. It’s going to be a dogfight.
“These guys gotta show up on film and make us stop and say, ‘Wow,’” O’Neil said. “We’ve seen some great competition so far in OTAs and camp, and the preseason games are where things really get real. I’m hoping a couple of these guys absolutely pop off and give us a loaded safety room.”
Right now, all eyes are on sixth-round pick Dan Jackson. This guy’s flying under the radar but looks like the frontrunner for the No. 4 safety spot. If he brings the heat, there could be room for one or two more guys, especially if they bring special teams firepower.
Loren Strickland, Erick Hallett, Morice Norris Jr., and UDFA Ian Kennelly are all hustling hard, ready to shake up the depth chart.
Jackson’s story is straight-up impressive — he turned down safer playing options to walk on at Georgia and ended up starting for one of the toughest defenses in college football. Detroit’s scouts are loving what they see.
“He’s not just physical; he’s a football brainiac,” O’Neil said. “He’s the voice back there, calling the shots and leading the charge. We’ve thrown a ton at him, trying to see if he can handle the pressure, and so far, he’s thriving. Now it’s all about keeping it simple and playing smart.”
Bottom line? This safety battle is going to be wild, and whoever rises to the top could be a game-changer for the Lions’ defense.
“Under the Radar, Over the Top: The Lions Camp Battle Flying Under Everyone’s Nose”
