Safety has become a need for the Lions after the Tracy Walker release

The Detroit Lions released safety Tracy Walker on Tuesday after six seasons with the team. While Walker's play had declined and he was inactive throughout the playoffs, he provided something the Lions now don't have at safety, depth. 

There's a thought out there that the Lions are all set at safety, but as we sit here right now, this team only has two safeties under contract. Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph. You might be thinking Brian Branch falls into that category, but Branch is not a safety for the Lions. He's a their slot corner. 

As we approach free agency and the draft, should the Lions be on the look out for more help at safety? The answer is a definite yes. While they may have things figured out for who's starting for them, they need more than just two guys. Where should they be looking to fill these spots? 

Free agency is the first thing that comes to mind. The Lions need to first answer the question of whether or not C.J. Gardner-Johnson is returning to Detroit. It seems like that's something that's going to happen, but at this point that question is not answered. 

If he doesn't come back, there's players to look for on the open market. Maybe a Deshon Elliot or Miles Killebrew return could be in order. Maybe you bring in a veteran like Tashaun Gipson to help the young guys.

The draft is another place to look for a safety. Even if the Lions bring back Gardner-Johnson or sign a free agent. Miami's Karmen Kinchens had a pretty impressive Senior Bowl. He's someone the Lions could grab in the third round. Utah's Sione Vaki is another guy the Lions could grab on day two or three. 

Whatever they chose to do, depth has to be had. Not just depth, but quality depth. The Lions are a team that got bitten by the injury big in the secondary in 2023 and they need to make sure that if that's going to happen again, they have players that are able to step in and keep the ball rolling. 

It should be interesting to see what the Lions do this offseason. My guess is that rebuilding their secondary is going to be one of their top priorities in both free agency and the draft.