ESPN polled NFL executives, coaches, and scouts for their top 10 lists, and both Lions safeties cracked the top 5 in the rankings.
The Detroit Lions ‘ duo of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph is widely considered the best safety tandem in the NFL, but both players are also equally worthy of individual accolades. In a recent poll of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, ESPN created a list of the top-10 safeties heading into the 2025 season, and both Branch and Joseph landed in the top five.
In ESPN’s surveys, data was collected from over 70 individuals in the NFL, and they were asked to identify their top-10 players at each position. ESPN then compiled the lists to establish rankings and conducted interviews to gather explanations for their voting.
Brian Branch
Branch, who was a Pro Bowler in 2024, finished No. 2 in ESPN’s rankings and was even ranked as high as No. 1 on some lists. ESPN recognized the second-year safety’s four interceptions, 16 pass deflections (the most among safeties last season), and 21.1% ball-hawking rate (second-best in the NFL) as the primary catalyst for his rise in their rankings.
Here’s what an AFC executive had to say about Branch:
“I love Branch due to instincts and versatility. He’s been asked to do a lot in two years in Detroit and he’s handled it all.”
The piece had a second quote that lacked citation, but was equally complementary:
“The one knock on him coming out [of Alabama] was coverage, but he proved all of that wrong. He’s been excellent. Very instinctive. He was good at nickel but has more range than that.”
At just 23 years old, Branch was also the youngest safety on ESPN’s list and still has two years remaining on his rookie contract. That being said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions enter negotiations with him next offseason in hopes of reaching a contract extension.
Speaking of contract extensions, Joseph reset the safety market this offseason with his new contract , and he checked in at No. 5 on ESPN’s rankings.
Kerby Joseph
After leading the NFL in interceptions (nine) in 2024 and earning All-Pro honors, it’s clear that Joseph’s ball skills are unmatched. As ESPN pointed out, when quarterbacks targeted Joseph last season, it resulted in a minuscule 29.2 passer rating and a league-leading 36.4% ball-hawking rate. His 17 interceptions and 31 pass breakups since entering the NFL in 2022 are the most amongst all safeties.
Here’s what an NFC scout told ESPN about Joseph:
“He has the stuff you can’t teach as far as the chance-taking that helps create turnovers but doesn’t hurt the framework of the defense. He’s good at taking calculated risks. You’ve got to give him credit. He’s worked hard for his opportunity.”
While Joseph waits to see where he lands on the NFL100 , he has spent a significant portion of his offseason giving back to his communities, both in Detroit and his hometown in Florida. In fact, Orlando even went as far as to celebrate “Kerby Joseph weekend,” including giving him the key to the city, after he helped open a MedHealth Clinical facility and held a youth football camp in the area .