Detroit Lions Draft Preview Safety

Lions have a low need at safety with the acquisitions of Duron Harmon and Jayron Kearse. However, both are on one year contracts. A developmental player who can play special teams could be a drafted in the mid to late rounds.


Free Safety

Isaiah Simmons Clemson 6035 238 4.39 20 39" 1100 7 Top 6
Modern defensive stopper. A excellent deep safety with all types of range. Can play over the TE and excellent running the Alley. Not a physical player, plays more like a safety than a LB.
44 games 4 int 19 PBU 10.5 sacks According to PFF he lined up at box (299), Slot (262) Free (132) DE (116).

Xavier McKinney Alabama 6003 201 4.63 19 36 1002 6.5 1st round
Versatile player who played all over at Alabama. Adapt at playing center field (272)  or over the TE (285). Good tackler with excellent range. 41 games 5 int 15 PBU

Antonie Winfield Minnesota 5091 203 4.45 36" 1004 6.4 2nd Round
Physical player with more range than expected. Can play both safety positions (FS 399/SS284) despite his size. A significant injury risk. 43 games 4 int 9 PBU

Grant Delpit LSU 6024 213 6024 213 6.4 Top 40
A model safety. Can play all over the field. Can run and play the ball. Most snaps in the box. split the rest at slot and free. Struggled with tackling and was injured most 2019. If healthy could be a all-pro type player. 40 games 8 int 24 PBU

Ashytn Davis Cal 6010 202 14 reps 6.3 2nd round
Centerfield player with good range and ball skills. Has speed to run the alley. Battling an ankle injury. 48 games 7 int 12 PBU.  Had post season surgery. Played mostly at free but some at the slot and box.

Kvon Wallace Clemson 5116 206 4.53 18 38" 1101 6.76 4.15 Round 4-5
A mini Simmons. He plays all over the field opposite of Simmons. Had a great combine. Could a sleeper in this draft. 59 games 5 int 16 PBU. Most of his snaps were over the slot. Played 208 snaps at the Box safety.

Kenny Robinson 6006 202 6.1 St. Louis Battle cats/West Virginia Round 3
First player to go to the XFL from college. He was kicked out of West Virginia. Ended up starting at FS for St. Louis. 15 tackles 2 int. Has some range and showed to be a solid player in the XFL. Significant off the field risk. WVU 23 games 7 int 7 PBU. Ball hawk.

Justin Blackmon Utah 5116 187 5.9 DAy 3
A former All-PAC 12 CB. Has some range and ball skill at FS. Can match with a TE or slot. Not an elite athlete. Could make it as 3rd safety/ sub package player.  48 games 9 int 29 PBU Coming off an ACL inury

Jordan Fuller Ohio State 6017 203 4.67 17 32" 1002 4.27 Day 3
Experience middle of the field player. 653 snaps at free safety last season.  Not a great athlete. Lacks range but is smart player that doesn't get beat often. Sound tackler. 4th safety special teams type of guy. 52 games 224 tackles

Josh Metellus Michigan 5111 210 4.55 20 36.5" 1004 6.94 4.4 5.8 Day 3
Good size/speed combo. Played the Strong Safety at Michigan. Good open field tackler. Not great playing the ball in the air. Does not play to his timed speed. Played SS at the Senior Bowl for the North. Good split at Free (328) and Box (302). Played 137 snaps in the slot.

Jalen Elliott Notre Dame 6004 205 4.8 15 34" 1005 6.87 4.3
Senior Bowl North. Playing mostly deep safety. Good football player but not a great athlete. Will have to make it as a 5th safety/special teams guy.  51 g 172 t 6 int 11 PBU

Jared Mayden Alabama 5117 201
Played for the South at the Senior Bowl. Really did not see much from him. HAs the look as a guy who needs to make as special teams player.

Strong Safety

Kyle Dugger Lenior-Rhyne 6006 217 4.49 17 42" 1102 6.3 Round 2
Big, physical stud athlete. Can stay with a TE and strike in the running game. Needs to develop his centerfield game. A division II player who played real well at the Senior Bowl.  42 games 10 int

Jeremy Chinn Southern Illinois 6031 221 4.45 20 41" 1106 6.2 Round 2
Another elite athlete. Showed up at the Senior Bowl for the North and made a name for himself. Would be a an excellent Nickel Safety/LB. Spear his snaps between Free, Slot and Box. Would play the Tavon Wilson safety for the Lions.

Geno Smith Iowa 5103 207 4.62 12 323.5" 908 5.8 Round 5
Watching the Iowa tape, I kept asking myself who is that guy. It was safety Geno Stone. Flying around the ball, hitting people. Definitely will make it on special teams. Has upside, could be a mid-round steal. Played most of the snaps at FS.

Brandon Jones Texas 5111 198 6.2 Round 3/4
LB mentality with some range. Needs to clean up technique. Should be a good player in the Nickel LB role. Played his football in the slot.. 47 games 4 int 7 PBU. Played most snaps at Slot. Split the rest at Free (285) and Box (154).

JR Reed Georgia 6006 202 4.54 15 34 1010 Round 4
I liked this guys tape. Shows up with a lot playmaking. Better closer to the LOS and can tackle. Probably bet as a 3rd safety. 55 games 5 int 15 PBU. Played the FS spot at Georgia.

Terrell Burgess Utah 5113 202 4.46 20 33.5 1002 6.2 Round 3/4
Not a deep safety but a little undersized for a box guy. Has versatility played in the slot, box and free. This is the kind of player the Lions like at safety.  Can be an effective 3rd safety and special teams guy. 45 games 1 int 9 PBU. Played free safety at the Senior Bowl for the North

Alohi Gilman Notre Dame 5105 202 4.6 17 32" 911 6.814.08 Day 3
Played FS for the North at the Senior Bowl. Decent range. Good tackler. Very heady, knows where to be on the field. Special teams ace. Split time at both free and box. 101 snaps at slot.

Antoine Brooks Maryland 5107 220 4.64 18 34.5" Round 4/5
Physical player who loves contact. Played most snaps at slot CB but some at box safety and free safety. Sub-package nickel/dime linebacker and special teams player. 43 games 4 int

Daniel Thomas Auburn 5100 215 4.51 24 37" 1005 7.04 4.2 Day 3
NFL athlete. Strong and has some range. Not tall but built. Special teams and upside.

Kamren Curl Arkansas 6013 206 4.6 24 34.5" 1005 7.14 4.41 Day 3
Played all over the field at Arkansas. Playing mostly slot cb but also both safety spots. His upside because of his length and speed. Good tackler and can match up with TE on coverage. Should be a strong special teams player. Played for the South at the Senior Bowl.

Brian Cole Mississippi State 6017 213 4.52 5.8 Day 3
Good size/Speed combo. Was a slot corner at Miss State. Needs play box safety in the NFL. Excellent tackler. Should make his mark on special teams.  Played well at the Senior Bowl. Former WR at Michigan. Has upside.

Myles Bryant Washington 5077 18 4.62 3 31.5" 907 6.81 4.02 Late day 3
Versatile at UW. Limited size and speed regulates him to slot cb only. Has good instinct and will tackle Played mostly FS at Washington. 50 g 191 t 4 int 20 PBU 3 FF

Jeremiah Dinson Auburn  5111 189 4.71 13 33" 907 4.53 7.2 Free Agent
Versatile safety and Slot. Played mostly in the box. Could match up with TE in sub packages and play special teams. Played at the Shrine Game.

Late Round or Free Agent
Rodney Clemons SMU 5114 209 4.71 21 33.5" 910
Jaylinn Hawkins Cal 6011 211 35.5" 909 NFLPA
Myles Dorn UNC 6012 211 Shrine Game
Luther Kirk Illinois State 6001 192 4.57 17 39" 1006 7.14 4.46 Shrine Game
DeMarcus Acy Missouri 6001 195 Shirne Game
Austin Lee BYU 5114 197 Shrine Game