2025 Detroit Lions free agency preview: 3 safety options

A scouting report on three free agent safeties for the Detroit Lions

Despite only having one upcoming free agent at the safety position, it is still a major need for the Detroit Lions .

It may not seem like an urgent need given that they have Pro Bowler Brian Branch and All-Pro Kerby Joseph, but having another starting-caliber player and some better-quality depth at the position would be very beneficial to the defense given how often they utilize three-safety subpackages.

Previous free agency previews:

• Quarterbacks
• Wide receivers
• Guards
• Edge defenders (starters)
• Edge defenders (rotational players)
• Cornerbacks

Lions free agency preview: Safeties

Under contract: Brian Branch, Erick Hallett (Futures), Kerby Joseph, Morice Norris (DB), Loren Strickland (Futures)

Free agents: Ifeatu Melifonwu

Jeremy Chinn, Washington Commanders

2024 stats: 17 games (17 starts), 117 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 QBH, 1 INT, 5 PD, 1 FF, 2 FR

If the Lions want to add extra wrinkles into their defense, a player like Jeremy Chinn would be a perfect addition to the secondary. Chinn is a hybrid safety/linebacker who is also able to play the slot defender role. In Detroit’s defense that has a few three-safety looks, Chinn’s versatility would be a valuable asset.

Against the run, Chinn is a dominant defender given how well he can play in the box. His size allows him to go toe-to-toe with tight ends and offensive linemen and get off blocks easier than other safeties can. He moves downhill well and can make plays at the line of scrimmage. His biggest contributions are against the run, but he still is able to make some plays as a deep safety when called upon.

So how would Chinn fit on the depth chart if he joined up with the Lions? A move like this would open up possibilities on defense immensely. Joseph is cemented as the team’s top safety, Branch is much more of a puzzle piece. Signing Chinn would allow Detroit to utilize both him and Branch in different roles depending on the situation. Branch can play both safety spots as well as nickel cornerback, while Chinn can line up as a strong safety, slot corner, or as an extra linebacker.

Chinn, who is just 27 years old, will want to get a pay raise after a solid season with Washington. His average salary will likely bump up from $5 million to about $7 million per year, and a multi-year deal is most preferable for the hybrid defender. If I were the Lions, I would be comfortable giving out a three-year, $18 million contract to Chinn.

Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills

2024 stats: 14 games (14 starts), 89 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 5 PD, 1 FR

If the Lions want to go after a true safety with starting potential, Damar Hamlin is their guy. The 2021 sixth-round pick is coming off of his rookie deal and will be looking for a much larger contract in free agency.

Hamlin is a strong zone defender who would be a nice complement to Joseph in the defensive secondary. While he doesn’t have the versatility to play multiple positions like some of the other upcoming free agent safeties, Hamlin has proven himself more than capable to play the deep safety role at a high level.

Signing Hamlin would mean he and Joseph would play the deep safety roles while Branch could move back into the slot defender position. This move give the defense more flexibility with how they want to use other players since the two starting safety spots would be locked down.

The biggest concern for Hamlin is his injury history. Of course, we all know about the tragic moment from the 2022 season where he took a hit from Tee Higgins and went into cardiac arrest. Hamlin has also struggled with various injuries during his college career at Pittsburgh and has yet to play a full NFL season over four years with the Bills. While the red flags with his medical history need to be taken into account, his abilities on the field make him a strong prospect for Detroit to look at in free agency.

As mentioned earlier, Hamlin will be coming off of his rookie deal and will be looking to get paid in free agency. Factoring in his injury history and time missed over his first four seasons, his price tag will be much lower than the other starting-caliber safeties in this free agent group. The Lions could likely bring in Hamlin for two years on a $3 million per-year deal.

Jason Pinnock, New York Giants

2024 stats: 16 games (16 starts), 85 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 PD

If the Lions feel that they are set with their starting safety group, then signing Jason Pinnock to be a top reserve player and core special teamer would be the smart move to make. While he’s not a household name, Pinnock has been a solid contributor for the Giants since joining up with them in 2022.

Pinnock is a hybrid defensive back who has had reps at cornerback, nickel, and safety during his four years in the NFL. He’s an elite athlete who uses his size and strength to his advantage, specifically when in press coverage and against the run. Pinnock has proven he can be a capable blitzer from the safety position, given he had three sacks for New York this past season.

What makes the 25-year-old most appealing as a prospect for the Lions is that he’s essentially able to do all of the things that Ifeatu Melifonwu has been lauded for over the past few seasons, but while staying healthy in the process. He has been a capable starter for the Giants for the past two seasons and has produced multiple sacks in each year he’s been with the team. In 2023, he also housed a 102-yard pick six and recovered two fumbles.

He could easily compete for a starting job with the Lions, but he also could end up being a top backup defensive back for when the Lions show three-safety looks. He’s a prototypical strong safety who also can slide into the slot or even play outside cornerback in a pinch. Pinnock has also been a key special teams player and could take over the gunner spot on the punt team given that Khalil Dorsey is set to hit free agency.

The negatives for Pinnock is that he’s far better against the run than he is in coverage. He tends to get beat on the deep ball when he is the lone man on a receiver. If the Lions coaching staff can recognize his strengths, he can take the field to be a blitzer and run stuffer instead of a true safety.

Pinnock’s price tag won’t be too expensive. He made less than $1 million per year in his first three seasons before getting a pay bump up to $3.1 million in 2024. Teams looking to sign him should be asking for about that much per year again. While it wouldn’t be the flashiest of signings for Detroit, a player like Pinnock would check off a lot of their needs going into the 2025 season.