GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 08: Robert Tonyan #85 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by DeShon Elliott #5 of the Detroit Lions during a game at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Safety DeShon Elliott will not be back with the Detroit Lions next season, as he has agreed to a deal with the Miami Dolphins.
The Lions took a gamble last offseason by signing safety DeShon Elliott, who was coming off a torn biceps and pectoral injury that forced him out of action for the last six games of what would be his final season with the Baltimore Ravens.
In true Brad Holmes fashion he rolled the dice on Elliott and signed him to a one-year deal worth $1.1 million. It turned out to be a steal. Displaying an elite level of tackling, Elliot received the ninth-highest grade (84.1) from Pro Football Focus and allowed the third-lowest total yards after the catch with 54.
At just 25 years old, Elliott also proved to be a leader in the locker room and for the young Lions’ defensive unit. Despite missing three games last season, he finished second on the team in tackles with 96.
Lions safety room looks light with DeShon Elliott exit
With Elliott moving on to the Dolphins, as reported by Jordan Schultz of The Score , the Lions currently have four safeties on their roster. Walker, who is progressing nicely in his rehab, along with Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Brady Breeze.
The emergence of Joseph as a rookie last season makes it a safe bet that he will assume a starting role from the start in 2023. He finished with 82 tackles and four interceptions, highlighted by three picks of Aaron Rodgers. Melifonwu saw action in 10 games last season, but he was generally limited by injuries. Breeze has played just 11 total games in his two-year NFL career while totaling six tackles.
To say the Lions are a little thin, and thin on experience, at safety would be an understatement. There is now a void to fill with Elliott gone, but it can be assumed the Detroit front office was prepared for the possibility he’d sign elsewhere and have started pursuing other options.