The Detroit Lions addressed every position on defense but one during this week's NFL Draft, but Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the decision to pass on safety help had nothing to do with the health of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.
"It wasn’t that we intentionally didn’t draft a safety because we feel good about them," Holmes said. "I feel like they’re both trending in the right direction, but it just didn’t line up, just like it hasn’t lined up at other positions in the past."
Both Branch and Joseph are returning from season-ending injuries and it's unclear if either will be on the field for the start of the regular season this fall.
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (LB22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates a Michigan State turnover during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.Aug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates a play in the second half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) reacts after a tackle against Wisconsin during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) tackles Washington wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (81) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) high fives fans before a game against Wisconsin at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.Former Michigan Wolverines great Charles Woodson talks to linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates an interception against Washington during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) tackles Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) pressures Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.1 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (LB22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (LB22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates a Michigan State turnover during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.3 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftAug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates a play in the second half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports4 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) reacts after a tackle against Wisconsin during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.5 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) tackles Washington wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (81) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.6 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) high fives fans before a game against Wisconsin at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.7 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftFormer Michigan Wolverines great Charles Woodson talks to linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.8 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates an interception against Washington during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.9 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) tackles Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.10 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) pressures Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.Branch tore his Achilles tendon last December, an injury that usually requires a nine- to 12-month recovery, while Joseph missed the final 11 games of the year with a degenerative knee injury.
When healthy, Branch and Joseph give the Lions one of the best safety tandems in the NFL. Branch made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 and had 75 tackles and 2½ sacks in 12 games last year. Joseph has 20 interceptions in 55 career games and was a first-team All-Pro selection two years ago.
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The Lions signed Joseph to a long-term contract that made him the game's highest-paid safety last spring and hope to sign Branch to a similar deal this offseason.
Along with Branch and Joseph, the Lions return veterans Thomas Harper and Avonte Maddox at safety and signed Christian Izien and Chuck Clark this offseason.
"We didn’t ignore it [in the draft]," Holmes said. "There were some good ones that were out there that just got picked before we were able to, but it just didn’t quite line up. And I didn’t really think that class was as deep, either, so it had to line up and you had to strike right."
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Brad Holmes explains why Detroit Lions didn't take safety in NFL Draft