https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2024-position-breakdown-safeties-branch-joseph
Draft: Safety is a position the Lions could stand to add some young depth to, especially if they don’t re-sign Melifonwu. Sheppard values versatility among all his position groups defensively, and a young player who can play both safety spots, potentially slip down into the nickel and also be an effective blitzer is ideal.
A few names that could potentially fit as versatile weapons in the secondary in the first couple days of the NFL Draft are Jahdae Barron (Texas), Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina), Malaki Starks (Georgia), Xavier Watts (Notre Dame), Andrew Mukuba (Texas) and Malachi Moore (Alabama).
In his first ranking of the Top 50 prospects in this draft, NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said watching Barron reminded him of Branch when he was coming out of Alabama.