2022 NFL draft: Detroit Lions take Illinois safety Kerby Joseph in third round

The Detroit Lions added one other piece to their protection within the 2022 NFL draft. For these counting at residence, that’s three defensive gamers out of 4 picks to get issues began.

Detroit chosen Illinois security Kerby Joseph at Decide 97 in Spherical 3 close to the tip of Day 2. He fills an apparent want, including a possible ball-hawking security subsequent to Tracy Walker. His choice comes after the staff added Kentucky defensive finish Josh Paschal at Decide 46 within the second spherical. The Lions opened Day 1 with Michigan edge defender Aidan Hutchinson at Decide 2 and Alabama large receiver Jameson Williams at Decide 12.

The Lions re-signed Walker to a three-year deal earlier this offseason. Additionally they added the proficient however oft-injured DeShon Elliott on a one-year deal.

Joseph appears to be like like a doubtlessly ultimate match on Detroit’s protection. His wingspan is a ridiculous 6-foot-8, and that vertical of 38.5 inches is spectacular. He tasks as fairly the comfort prize for these wishing the Lions would have taken a security on Day 1. He additionally reached new ranges on the sphere final season, with 5 interceptions and 57 tackles.

Detroit’s protection wants all the assistance it could possibly get in terms of creating takeaways. Walker has been a rock-solid and reliable participant for many of his profession. He’s been the staff’s main tackler in two of the earlier three seasons. He’s additionally a vocal chief in that younger defensive again room. However he has solely two interceptions in three seasons.

“Along with his play velocity, vary and above-average ball abilities, Joseph is dependable because the final line of protection along with his potential to patrol from the hashmarks to exterior the numbers,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler writes in his pre-draft information. “He credit his response quickness to his volleyball background and drives on the soccer in entrance of him, though he has room to scrub up his tackling consistency. Total, Joseph should enhance his play energy, however he reads properly from depth and tracks the soccer along with his velocity and burst to shut. He tasks as a special-teamer and developmental NFL starter ideally suited to a cover-3 scheme.”

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Elliott has missed 36 video games in 4 seasons because of numerous accidents. His one-year contract can be very team-friendly and shouldn’t Joseph from competing for work from the get. Joseph is an intriguing expertise, beforehand switching time between security and receiver. He went again to security this previous season, and his recreation took off. Professional Soccer Focus had him with a 90.0-plus grade total and in protection, that’s elite territory, with stable marks in opposition to the run.

He performed within the field and again deep, with 64 snaps out of the slot. PFF had him permitting 9 catches on 19 targets for 2 touchdowns, with a passer score allowed of 66.4.

The Lions even have C.J. Moore and Jalen Elliott with some expertise within the room. Brady Breeze noticed motion down the stretch, they usually added JuJu Hughes. Will Harris, a 2019 third-round security, is predicted to see a “cafety” function subsequent season. He faces an unsure future after struggling to make it work. Harris did present slightly one thing at cornerback to finish the season final yr, so it’ll be attention-grabbing to see what occurs there.

Detroit has remaining alternatives at Spherical 5, Decide 177, Spherical 6, Decide 181 and Spherical 6, Decide 217.