The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and the Detroit Lions now have several new faces in the fold, led by 17th overall selection Blake Miller out of Clemson.
However, fans were quick to notice that the Lions did not take any players at the safety position, raising questions on the status of both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries and only played a combined 15 games in 2025.
However, the latest updates on their condition from general manager Brad Holmes paints an optimistic picture.
Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes Gave An Optimistic Update On Safeties Kerby Joseph And Brian Branch
Lions GM Brad Holmes explained that just because they didn’t take a safety in the Draft, it didn’t mean that both Joseph and Branch were completely healed.
“It wasn’t that we intentionally didn’t draft a safety because we feel good about them [Joseph and Branch]. I feel like they’re both trending in the right direction, but it just didn’t line up,” Holmes said. “Just like it hasn’t lined up at other positions in the past, we didn’t ignore it. 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. I didn’t really think that class was as deep either, so it had to line up and you had to strike right.”
However, when asked a followup question, Holmes sounded far more optimistic.
“I think they’re both heading into the right direction,” he said.
Both players missed a combined total of 15 games. Joseph had been dealing with a lower-body injury since Training Camp, and his season was over after Week 6. Meanwhile, Branch suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon against the Dallas Cowboys in December, ending his season.
Back in February, head coach Dan Campbell gave somewhat of a cloudy update on Joseph’s condition.
“We’ve been treating him,” said Campbell about Joseph. “He’s done a few things. We’re in a, I would say, the position now to where we’re slowly working him back. What is this going to look like? How is this going to feel? Call it a month from now, we’ll have a lot better idea.”
Before his injury, Joseph impressed with 18 total combined tackles along with three interceptions and four pass deflections.
The Lions Have Made Multiple Selections In The 2026 NFL Draft
Despite rumors of the Lions potentially trading up in the Draft, they ultimately held on to their first round selection and used it on Clemson’s Blake Miller, who has already made his way to the Lions practice facility in Allen Park and met with not only head coach Dan Campbell but with media members as well.
The Lions then took a pair of former Michigan Wolverines, selecting defensive end Derrick Moore and linebacker Jimmy Rolder.
Cornerback Keith Abney II from Arizona State and Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law were next, followed by defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard of Texas Tech.
Finally, the Lions rounded out their Draft with defensive tackle Tyre West of Tennessee.
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