The Detroit Lions are likely to be targeting quite a few defensive players when the time comes for the NFL Draft.
One position that is not likely to be high on the list of priorities on the defensive side of the ball is safety.
The team currently has two of the best in the league.
Kerby Joseph was a First-Team All-Pro in 2024 after leading the NFL in interceptions while Brian Branch earned a Pro Bowl nod in just his second NFL season.
Despite that, it seems a safety prospect who played alongside Branch in college is interested in potentially joining the Lions.
While speaking at the NFL Combine, Alabama safety Malachi Moore revealed that he would like to reunite with Branch and some of his other college teammates on the Lions.
“It would be great to play with my guys Terrion and BB on the defensive side of the ball. We already had that great chemistry, and we come from the same lineage in college football, playing under Coach Saban,” Moore said (via Mlive’s Kory Woods). “So, all of us are like-minded, and we’re still brothers to this day. Like I said, our relationship is great.”
The Lions have had quite a bit of success drafting players from Alabama in recent years.
In the last three drafts they’ve selected Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, Terrion Arnold, and Jameson Williams. Two of them have earned spots in the Pro Bowl and another and 1000 receiving yards in 2024.
Moore played multiple roles for the Crimson Tide over five seasons in Tuscaloosa, including a lot of time playing in the slot.
This past season was the most productive of those five years. Moore was a part of 70 total tackles, intercepted a pair of passes, and defended eight passes.
He obviously can’t be somebody the Lions will prioritize in the draft as they already have one of the league’s best safety duos.
However, his versatility as a defender could give the team some depth that would be very appealing to a team that was depleted by injuries in 2024.
If Moore is available after the Lions have addressed their more immediate needs, he could be a very good fit for the team.
