With the Detroit Lions’ 2024 training camp fast approaching, we’re putting the finishing touches on our preview series by wrapping up the defense and taking a look at the safety group. After initially appearing to be a position the Lions could try to improve in the offseason, the Lions ended up adding very little to the safety group and instead made an internal move.
Previews from previous training camps:
Set the table
In 2023, the Lions looked very comfortable with their safeties after returning both starters Kerby Joseph and Tracy Walker, signing versatile defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson and stealing Brian Branch in the draft. Former third-round pick Ifeatu Melifonwu was nearing the end of his transition from corner to safety, adding further depth to what appeared to be a solid unit.
But things change fast in the NFL, and less than a week into training camp, the roster shuffle began. At first, the changes were positive, as Branch was playing so well that he moved Gardner-Johnson from nickel to safety, which sent Walker to the bench. In Week 3, Gardner-Johnson was injured and Walker was reverted to a limited starting role, with Branch taking some of his safety duties. Walker never returned to form, eventually being benched, and Melifonwu was given the chance to start in his place. Melifonwu took advantage of his opportunity and played well enough that Branch was reverted to a nickel-only role for the remainder of the season.
This offseason, Joseph’s skill set and Melifonwu’s rising stardom gave the Lions the confidence to release Walker and allow Gardner-Johnson to leave in free agency. While the Lions appeared poised to add a veteran safety in free agency, they instead opted to expand Branch’s role to include more reps at safety, giving the unit three solid options to work with.
Additionally, Brandon Joseph, a 2023 UDFA, saw his value rise during his time on the practice squad last season and helped the coaches’ confidence in the group. Rounding out the depth chart, the Lions re-signed special teams ace CJ Moore (after serving his one-year suspension for gambling) and added two undrafted free agents: Loren Strickland and Chelen Garnes.
List construction
In 2021, the Lions fielded four safeties and deployed a corner in their nickel role. In 2022, the Lions increased their safeties to five rostered players, still using only slot corners because they didn’t want to put too much pressure on Melifonwu when he switched positions. In 2023, the Lions fielded three pure safeties but also kept two additional defensive backs who could switch between slot corner and safety.
In 2024, with Branch as the primary hybrid defensive back under contract, the Lions could opt to keep up to four pure safeties on the roster, especially with the special teams rule changes.
The battlefield
Three clear levels
Among the six safeties on the roster, the Lions have three clearly defined tiers. Kerby Joseph and Melifonwu are the starters, with Joseph the preferred option at single-high and Melifonwu having the ability to line up in the slot and in the box.
The top backups are Brandon Joseph and CJ Moore, leaving the UDFAs – Loren Strickland and Chelen Garnes – to finish out the group. Brandon Joseph and Moore are both comfortable in single coverage, while the rookies are better suited to playing in the box. That skill distribution could lead to some shifting in the depth chart in training camp – i.e. Brandon Joseph and a UDFA on the second team, with Moore and a UDFA on the third team – but make no mistake, Moore’s value on special teams is much higher than that of the rookies, making him much more valuable right now.
The Joker
While the pure safeties are well-stacked, the team’s desire to expand Branch’s game will add some wild card to the mix.
As I illustrated in my preview of Branch’s roster, when he was kept in a nickel-only role, he was only on the field between 50-75% of defensive snaps, which is significantly less than you want for one of the best players on your defense. By working to expand Branch’s role as a safety, the Lions can still use him in the slot 50-75% of the time, while moving him back to safety for the remaining defensive snaps, allowing him to never leave the field.
This role initially reserved for nickel, then extended to security That strategy was one that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn had used with Gardner-Johnson when the pair were in New Orleans, something he and coach Dan Campbell had previously emphasized in their discussions about Branch’s development.
“Ducey (Gardner-Johnson) was the same way when we drafted him to New Orleans,” Campbell said. “We were like, ‘Oh my gosh, is he a safety (or) a nickel?’ When we let him play nickel, he really exploded. Now, you see, he’s later in his career and he can really do both. He’s really grown in both areas. It’s just a matter of how fast (Branch) can get there.”
From a skill standpoint, it’s easy to point out the crossover between Branch and Melifonwu, meaning that when Branch returns to safety, it’ll be Melifonwu who goes to the bench. That being said, Melifonwu has a range of positions and is still developing his game, which could force the Lions to expand his role as well, reducing Kerby Joseph’s snaps.
How Branch is deployed and the domino effect it has on the rest of the secondary will be a fascinating story to follow during camp.
The impact of the change in the kick-off rule on the squads
If you’ve been following this series, you’ve already read this quote from Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp discussing the new kick-off rules that are being implemented this season:
“It’s become a shorter and shorter game,” Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. “You’ve got a guy lined up five yards from you — you can calm down a little bit and go seven — but you’re trying to beat a guy in seven yards. And so, I think it’s a little bit more focused on speed, both in coverage and in the return game. I think guys’ ability to rotate their hips — kind of like secondary-type guys — to rotate their hips, to match guys in the return game is going to be important.”
Safeties who can tackle as well as turn and run with an opponent will be valuable under the new rules and battles among reserves could determine the final spots on the 53-man roster.
Moore is not only the fastest safety on the roster, he also has a long history of excelling on special teams. His experience, athleticism and overall skills should give him a significant advantage over the other backups he’ll be competing against. Even if he doesn’t move up the ladder to the point where he can contribute on defense, his special teams alone could be enough for the roster.
Brandon Joseph has established himself well as a defenseman, but he’ll also need to prove himself on special teams to make the roster. He’s received praise from coaches for his development, but he still has some work to do to earn a spot.
Strickland and Garnes appear to have the longest path to the roster, but they are big hitters who play downhill and their skills should transfer to special teams very quickly. How quickly they can build a resume that includes special teams contributions while also showing development on defense will determine their chances of sticking around.