It is amazing the difference a year can make in the NFL. This time last year, the Lions were entering the offseason with arguably the top safety duo in the NFL in Kerby Joseph, 25, and Brian Branch, 24.
Fast forward one year and Joseph is dealing with a knee injury that forced him to miss 11 games last season and has put his long-term future into question. Branch tore his Achilles in December in a win over Dallas that will likely keep him sidelined for the start of the season, the final year of his rookie contract.
Those two injuries and the subsequent question marks regarding the future of both players means Detroit must have a Plan B in place in case Joseph's knee prevents him from playing a full slate of games in 2026 and in case Branch isn't ready for the start of the season.
Free agency is obviously an option. The NFL Draft is another and the Lions will get a chance to interact and evaluate this year's group of safeties at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Top 5 safeties to watch at the Combine:
1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State, 6-0, 205
Downs is a versatile player who lined up at both safety spots, nickel and even some at linebacker at times and was a playmaker at all of them. He's physical, can cover and is also an excellent blitzer, all things NFL teams covet in a safety. Downs notched 256 tackles, six interceptions and 11 passes defended combined in one season at Alabama in 2023 and the last two seasons at Ohio State.