Set to compete for fourth safety job, what Dan Jackson's Georgia tape tells us about Lions' rookie safety
The Detroit Lions went into the 2025 NFL Draft with room to add safety depth behind the team’s dynamic starting tandem of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. They didn’t find it until the late stages of the event, selecting Georgia’s Dan Jackson No. 230 overall in the seventh round.
Jackson joins a room with several young options, including Loren Strickland and Morice Norris, two undrafted players who spent time on Detroit’s roster a year ago, and an incoming undrafted signing, Ian Kennelly, a local product who starred at Utica Eisenhower and Grand Valley State.
Jackson has the slightest advantage as the draft pick in the group, with a four-year contract and more than $130,000 in guarantees. Still, those four, along with returning practice squader Erick Hallett, are set to compete for one roster spot.
Before that battle ramps up during training camp, let’s take a closer look at Jackson’s 2024 film from Georgia to better understand what he’ll be bringing to the table.
Games watched
2024: @Alabama, @Texas, vs. Tennessee, Texas (SEC Championship), Notre Dame (CFP)