Detroit Lions near the top of the NFC North safety power rankings
By Ash Thompson
The Detroit Lions safety group
Glover Quin is widely recognized as one of the NFL’s best all-around safeties. If we were to list the best player acquisitions of the Martin Mayhew era, Quinn’s bargain contract in free agency likely sits directly after the drafting of Matthew Stafford.
There is nothing a safety is asked to do in which Quinn does not excel. Whether taking a single deep zone, lining up over a tight end in the slot or filling a run gap, Quin is the right tool for the job. If this were a “best safeties in the NFC North” ranking I could justify putting Quin at the top.
Unfortunately, this is not that list. The Lions got a lot of timely turnovers from their safety group last season. They also got a lot of up and down play. Tavon Wilson is an average starter at strong safety. He has versatility, just as Quinn does, but he lacks high-end skill in any one area. He came to the Lions as a placeholder for the ascension of another player.
Miles Killebrew was in the right place at the right time for some lucky plays to begin the 2017 season. he failed to ride that momentum to a full season of success, however, and now his very roster spot is in doubt for 2018.
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The saving grace for the Lions safety group is Quandre Diggs. After nearly three seasons as the Lions starting slot corner, Diggs moved to safety to close out the 2017 campaign. The results were staggering.
Diggs has always hit like a train. His “out of nowhere” fills on running plays and ability to sniff out screens have always made him a fan favorite. From the safety spot, however, his opportunities to do what he does best were magnified tenfold.
Diggs had no interceptions going into the last quarter of 2017. He responded to the position switch with three interceptions in four games. He was everywhere on the field making plays.
The Lions have also added Tracy Walker to the mix, but as a third-round rookie, they are not leaning on him to log many snaps. He factors in for future potential but offers little value immediately.