The Detroit Lions closed Day 2 of the NFL draft by adding more help for their defense.
The Lions drafted Illinois safety Kerby Joseph with the 33rd pick of the third round, No. 97 overall.
Joseph had five interceptions while earning all-Big Ten honors last season in his first year starting for the Illini. He should compete for playing time with the Lions this fall in a secondary that returns Tracy Walker and Will Harris at safety and added Deshon Elliott in free agency.
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The Lions, owners of the NFL’s 31st-ranked scoring defense last season, have spent three of their first four picks in the draft on defensive players.
They started Day 2 by taking Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal with the 14th pick of the second round, No. 46 overall. On Thursday, they grabbed Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson with the second pick of the first round and traded up to take Alabama receiver Jameson Williams at No. 12.
The Lions have three picks remaining in the final four rounds: No. 177 overall near the end of Round 5, and two choices in Round 6, No. 181 and 217.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.