One Safety Lions Could Select in Every Round of NFL Draft

Examining potential fits for the Lions at safety.

There are changes abound at the safety position for the Detroit Lions. 

Gone are Tracy Walker III and Ceedy Duce. Walker was released, while Duce signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

However, the team does return two promising young players in Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu. For Melifonwu, the 2024 season offers the opportunity to prove that his late-season success is sustainable. Joseph, meanwhile, will try to continue the success he’s had from a takeaway perspective. 

As the Lions look to maintain the depth at the position, the draft could be a good option. Filled with talent, the safety class offers several talented options. 

Here is one safety the Lions could select in every round of the NFL Draft.

Round 1

Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

One of the best secondary prospects in this year’s draft is the talented Nubin. The Minnesota product holds the school’s record for interceptions in a career with 13, and was also a strong contributor against the run. 

He had high marks via Pro Football Focus in both the run defense and coverage categories, grading out at a 84.3 and 90.1 in those respective areas. On 20 passes thrown in his direction, Nubin allowed just six completions. 

With his ability to roam around different areas in the secondary, he would be an ideal fit for the Lions’ diverse defensive scheme. 

Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Ryan Selig (33) and Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tyler Nubin celebrate.

Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA

Round 2

Calen Bullock, USC

Bullock is a long, rangy defender who has developed into a takeaway artist over three seasons at USC. He has nine career interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns. 

Bullock has been a strong coverage defender, posting an 82.2 coverage grade last year with the Trojans. He still has work to do as a tackler, as he tallied 10 missed tackles in his final collegiate campaign. 

Still, the intangible traits are intriguing for Bullock, and he can continue to develop while still factoring into the Lions’ defensive rotation next season. 

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California defensive back Calen Bullock (DB48) works out at the NFL scouting.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3 

Kamren Kinchens, Miami (Florida)

The Miami product is a strong, compact defender who is also an explosive athlete. He moves very well, which allows him to come down and be a presence against the run. Additionally, this allows him to check opponents and stay in front while in coverage. 

Kinchens, to his credit, was exceptional in coverage at points over the last two seasons. In that span, he notched 11 interceptions. While he still stands to improve from a technique perspective, Kinchens looks the part of a ready-to-go prospect who can add strong depth to the Lions’ safety rotation. 

Oct 21, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes safety Kamren Kinchens (5) celebrates.

Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4

The Lions do not currently have a fourth-round selection

Round 5

Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest

Another explosive athlete who would fit nicely in Detroit’s secondary is Mustapha. Once named on The Athletic’s "Freaks List," the defender flies on tape across the field. The Richmond transfer moved to Wake Forest after just one season, and became a big part of the Demon Deacons' defense. 

He had just one interception last year for the Demon Deacons, but showed a clear knack for finding the football. Mustapha had a run defense grade of 87.5, per PFF while holding opponents who targeted him to a 51 percent completion rate. 

Nov 18, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons safety Malik Mustapha (3) breaks up a pass.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6 

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech

Taylor-Demerson is an interesting prospect who could wind up being a late-round draft steal. He has versatility, having played safety as well as slot corner during his time at Texas Tech, and allowed a passer rating of just 65.7 in his final season. 

He also had a good athletic showing at the Combine, posting a 10’3” broad jump and a 4.41 40-yard dash. Taylor-Demerson has shown an ability to play physical, and doesn’t waste any movement in going from his backpedal to sprinting downhill. 

The defender is also smart with his eyes, and has a feel for anticipating routes. The knock on him will be his size, but his potential can be unlocked in the right system. 

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (DB64) works out at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7

Millard Bradford, TCU

Bradford recently completed a five-year career at TCU in which he consistently improved. He’s gradually shown growth particularly in coverage, as the opposing passer rating against him went from 137.5 as a sophomore to 56.5 in his final year. 

Bradford finished the 2023 campaign with a run defense grade of 69.9 and a coverage grade of 67.9. He’ll need to continue developing with his physicality, but he has the versatility to play either as a safety or in the slot, which would make him a good addition to Detroit's secondary. 

Nov 2, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) rushes while being chased by TCU defender Millard Bradford.

Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports