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Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Need Analysis: Safety injury report
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- Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Need Analysis: Safety injury report
The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching which makes it a good time to review the Lions' positional needs and how it may impact their draft strategy. Last year, defensive tackle got the biggest combined need score , and the Lions indeed filled that position in the 1st round with Tyleik Williams.
For the complete defensive positional breakdown, read Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Needs: DEFENSE Positional Rankings + Injury Impact. For the offensive positional breakdown, read Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Needs: OFFENSE Positional Rankings + Injury Impact.
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The following is the review of the Lions' safety position.
The combined need score is the summation of positional need (0-5) plus medical concern level (0-5). The higher the score, the greater the need. I'm reserving the focus to the starters and key backups here, with health of the starters weighted more heavily.
(In parentheses are player age at the start of the 2026 season, signed-through year, and medical concern level.) *Projected starters.
Safety
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Kerby Joseph (25, 2029, 10/10) - The knee issue that wiped out most of 2025 is a major concern. The Lions can hope he recovers, but can't count on it.
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Brian Branch (24, 2026, 8/10) - An Achilles rupture carries an uncertain recovery. He likely won't play until mid-season. A potential contract extension may be put on hold.
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Thomas Harper (25, 2026, 7/10) - Two concussions late last season are a big concern if he has another in 2026.
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Dan Jackson (25, 2028, 6/10) - A mystery leg injury knocked him out all of his rookie season.
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Christian Izien (26, 2026, 2/10) - Multiple soft tissue injuries the past two years are a concern, but he has youth on his side.
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Chuck Clark (31, 2026, 3/10) - Rebounding from a rough 2-year stretch of ACL, ankle, and pec injuries, he played 16 games last season.
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Avonte Maddox (30, 2026, 5/10) - Some minor injuries last season with the Lions, but mostly reliable. He does have major injuries in his past including a pec tear, toe surgery, and neck issue.
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Loren Strickland (26, 2026, 0/10) - He had a thumb injury in 2024, but has otherwise been available during the past 2 seasons with the Lions.
Positional need 1/5
At full health, the starters are young and elite. There are plenty of backups but only Jackson is signed past 2026.
Medical concern 5/5
A year ago at this time, the Lions safety position was the envy of the league. This year, there are major health uncertainties all across the board - both short and long-term. Safety is the highest medical concern position on the entire team which dramatically elevates the need.
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TOTAL 6/10
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Need Analysis: Safety injury report
