The Detroit Lions overhauled the cornerback position group and swapped out safety coach Brian Duker, but they didn’t do much to address the safety spot in the current offseason. How does that sit with the pundits who evaluate and rank different teams and position groups>
ESPN’s Mike Clay released his 2024 positional projections, including ranking every safety group in the NFL. Detroit’s safety group is understandably low in the rankings after a largely underwhelming 2023, even though box safety Ifeatu Melifonwu had a nice run of games late in the season, notably with his blitzing against both the run and pass.
Note that Clay doesn’t include Brian Branch in the Lions’ safety group. Branch primarily played slot CB as a rookie and played it at a very high level, but that leaves him out here. Despite that, many expect Branch to play more of a traditional safety role in his second NFL season.
32. New York Giants
Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Jalen Mills, Elijah Riley
31. Denver Broncos
Brandon Jones, Caden Sterns, P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell, JL Skinner
30. Detroit Lions
Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, C.J. Moore, Chelen Garnes
29. Los Angeles Rams
Kamren Curl, Russ Yeast, Kamren Kinchens, Jason Taylor II, Tanner Ingle
28. New York Jets
Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Ashtyn Davis, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Jaylen Key
27. Seattle Seahawks
Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, K’Von Wallace, Coby Bryant, Jerrick Reed II
26. Indianapolis Colts
Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Ronnie Harrison, Trevor Denbow
25. Tennessee Titans
Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Mike Brown, Shyheim Carter, Matthew Jackson
24. Buffalo Bills
Taylor Rapp, Mike Edwards, Cole Bishop, Cameron Lewis, Damar Hamlin
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Deon Bush
22. Washington Commanders
Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Chinn, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves, Dominique Hampton
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, Mekhi Garner
20. Green Bay Packers
Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Anthony Johnson Jr., Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo
19. New Orleans Saints
Tyrann Mathieu, Jordan Howden, Johnathan Abram, J.T. Gray
18. San Francisco 49ers
Talanoa Hufanga, Ji’Ayir Brown, George Odum, Tayler Hawkins, Malik Mustapha
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Trevon Moehrig, Marcus Epps, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chris Smith II, Trey Taylor
16. Atlanta Falcons
Jessie Bates, DeMarcco Hellams, Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, Dane Cruikshank
15. Carolina Panthers
Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Sam Franklin, Alex Cook
14. Houston Texans
Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, Eric Murray, Calen Bullock, M.J. Stewart
13. Cincinnati Bengals
Geno Stone, Vonn Bell, Jordan Battle, Daijahn Anthony, Tycen Anderson
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
Darnell Savage Jr., Andre Cisco, Andrew Wingard, Terrell Edmunds, Daniel Thomas
11. Dallas Cowboys
Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Juanyeh Thomas, Israel Mukuamu, Sheldrick Redwine
10. New England Patriots
Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Joshuah Bledsoe
9. Chicago Bears
Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks, Quindell Johnson
8. Los Angeles Chargers
Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, AJ Finley, Jalyn Phillips
7. Arizona Cardinals
Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Andre Chachere, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Joey Blount
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Trenton Thompson, Miles Killebrew
5. Miami Dolphins
Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Elijah Campbell, Patrick McMorris, Jason Maitre
4. Cleveland Browns
Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman, D’Anthony Bell
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Whitehead, Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather, Chris McDonald
2. Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
1. Baltimore Ravens
Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade, Ryan Cooper