The Lions put an end to the waiting at safety with their third round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Detroit selected Illinois safety Kerby Joseph with the No. 97 overall pick.
It’s a pick that addresses the dire lack of depth at safety. Joseph could vault directly into the starting lineup if he continues to grow his game the way he did for Illinois in 2021. His ball-hawking and reactionary quickness noticeably improved in his senior season while playing in more single-high situations.
Joseph is a good fit in the split safety role that Will Harris and Dean Marlowe occupied in 2021. He’s not as top-end fast as either of those players, but Joseph has more natural coverage instincts and a better feel for spatial awareness on the field. Joseph showed off his twitchy athleticism during the Senior Bowl week and the NFL scouting combine. He’s a former high school volleyball standout and thrived with his 38.5-inch vertical.
He’s got good enough ball skills that Illinois used him as a wide receiver in the past. At 6-1/203, he’s got nice size to play either safety spot. One of the reasons Joseph was still available at 97 overall was his tackling; he tends to aim too high, particularly when coming up against the run. He’s a much surer tackler when terminating pass plays.
Special teams value could get Joseph on the field even if he can’t crack the starting lineup at safety. He’s got the ability to play gunner and punt protector.
Many fans, myself prominently included, had some serious angst working when the Lions eschewed taking a safety earlier in the draft. Joseph winds up being a great value pick who can play right away next to Tracy Walker and with DeShon Elliott also in the mix.