Late-Round Safety Prospects Lions Could Target in 2024 Draft
If the 2024 campaign were to begin today, the Detroit Lions would enter the season with a solid group of safeties, headlined by Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu.
Joseph and Melifonwu, along with veteran Tracy Walker, each experienced their fair share of positive moments during the 2023 campaign. And, the expectation is that the trio of defensive backs will be productive for Detroit once again this upcoming season.
Thus, the safety position is not expected to be addressed by general manager Brad Holmes during the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, if Holmes decides to acquire a safety via this April's draft, here are three late-round options that the organization could target.
Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest
Mustapha is a high-motor player who displayed good instincts and tackling ability during his time at Wake Forest. He also showcased the ability to play both safety spots (free and strong safety) and nickel corner.
As a junior in 2023, he started every game for the Demon Deacons, and compiled 67 total tackles, including five for loss, one interception, three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
He's also a highly proficient run-stopper, as evidenced by his 87.5 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade in ‘23.
As a Day 3 target, he'd provide a nice boost to the Lions’ run-stopping efforts in the secondary.
Josh Proctor, Ohio State
Just like Mustapha, Proctor is a versatile defensive back with the ability to line up at both free and strong safety. He also profiles as a solid zone-coverage defender at the next level.
In six seasons at Ohio State, he made his most consistent impact against the run. He displayed a knack for diagnosing run plays, plus a proficiency when it came to his sideline-to-sideline pursuit of ball-carriers.
As a graduate student with the Buckeyes in 2023, Proctor logged 47 total tackles, including four for loss, eight passes defensed and an interception. For his efforts, he earned a 77.9 overall mark from PFF, including an 83.9 run-defense grade.
He'd be a solid find for Holmes & Co. on Day 3 of the draft.
Trey Taylor, Air Force
Coming out of Air Force, Taylor is more of an unheralded prospect than both Mustapha and Proctor.
Yet, Taylor did win the 2023 Jim Thorpe Award for the nation's top defensive back, becoming the first DB in Air Force history to earn such an honor. And, in his time with the Falcons, he did showcase a knack for making plays – a quality which should strongly appeal to Holmes and Detroit's opportunistic defense.
In his final season at Air Force, he produced 74 total tackles, including five for loss, four passes defensed, three interceptions and a blocked kick.
Additionally, in 356 coverage snaps during the ‘23 regular season, Taylor allowed just one touchdown and a passer rating against of 47.0. For his efforts, he received a PFF pass-coverage grade of 87.2 and an overall mark of 82.6.
Taylor, a relative of former NFL safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed, is equipped with high-end ball skills, and possesses the ability to man both centerfield and slot corner.
The Falcons product might not be able to be a day one contributor in an NFL secondary, but he could make an immediate impact on special teams. Taylor amassed 334 snaps on special teams during his collegiate career.
I believe he'd be a solid selection with the Lions’ final pick in the 2024 draft (Round 7, No. 246 overall).
