During the opening week of the 2020 free agency period, the Detroit Lions made several key moves and arguably the most significant additions came at the safety position.
After trading with the New England Patriots for Duran Harmon and acquiring Jaylon Kearse in free agency, the Lions now have five safeties on the active roster who played almost 400 total snaps on defense/special teams in 2019.
Here’s a look at the snaps breakdown from last season:
| Player | Defense | Special teams |
| Tracy Walker | 843 | 14 |
| Duron Harmon (NE) | 702 | 20 |
| Will Harris | 667 | 259 |
| Jayron Kearse (MIN) | 271 | 231 |
| C.J. Moore | 77 | 315 |
The Harmon impact
Harmon said in a recent interview with Detroit media that he is hoping to earn a starting role and see “90 to 95-percent of snaps”, but he recognized the talent on the roster and wasn’t going to take anything for granted.
“I know they already have two talented young players (Walker and Harris) in the room,” Harmon said, “and I’m just trying to come there to help in any way I can. I don’t know what my considered role will be, but I know whatever I get will be earned.”
While Harmon is exercising caution publicly, his ability to play single-high safety at a high level is a missing element on this roster. Add-in his multiple years of scheme familiarity and he has the potential to be an instant impact player for the Lions.
In addition to playing single-high, Harmon is comfortable in the slot and is a perfect complement player to Walker and Harris as their skill sets are more impactful in the slot and in the box.
The Kearse impact
A four-year contributor for the Vikings on special teams, Kearse expanded his duties over the past two seasons securing a third safety position. With the Lions, Kearse’s role is expected to be similar to that of Harris, as a slot/box safety who can heavily contribute on special teams.
At a minimum, Kearse should become a special teams starter in all four-phases, and because of his ability to cover the slot, he could challenge Harris for time in the third-safety role.
Will the Lions add more safeties?
The Lions deploy three-safety sets roughly 50-percent of the time and the early expectations are that Walker, Harmon, and Harris will be the starting trio. Kearse adds depth in the slot/box, while Moore gives the Lions depth at single-high, and both are likely starters on special teams.
Despite having between $12 and $15 million in workable cap space and nine draft picks, the additions of Harmon and Kearse eliminate the need to add more players at the safety position at this time.