Lions Won't Miss Former Defender Despite His Strong Offseason

The Detroit Lions went 15-2 last season but it didn’t stop them from making changes to their defense over the offseason. One year after Detroit landed 13 starters on season-ending injured reserve, the Lions brought in several players to add talent and depth to this year’s team.

While plenty of players have been brought in, there are others that left Detroit and are seeking a fresh start. That’s led to some players who have already made a great first impression with their new teams but it doesn’t change the fact that the Lions won’t miss him when he’s gone.

Ifeatu Melifonwu’s Offseason With Dolphins Doesn’t Change Anything for Lions

The Lions lost starting safety Ifeatu Melifonwu in free agency after a productive but injury-plagued four seasons in Detroit. A former third-round pick by the Lions, Melifonwu signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Miami Dolphins and is already a front-runner to start at safety, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.

“Melifonwu, a front-runner to start at safety, made the pick on a [Zach] Wilson pass intended for Tarik Black,” Jackson wrote. “In a real play, the play would have likely ended with a sack.”

While Jackson noted that Wilson’s pocket presence was lacking on the play, his comment about his potential starting spot lines up with the conversations Melifonwu had with defensive backs coach Brian Duker and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver in March.

“I feel like through the four years, I’ve proved what I can do and people have seen it and my coach, Coach Duker, when he was [in Detroit] when I was at the Lions, he’s seen it firsthand so it’s very important to me,” Melifonwu said. “I know I’m still going to have to go out and compete and earn a starting spot and I’ve never really had anything handed to me even since [my] Syracuse days. So I’m excited for that opportunity but I definitely feel like as a starter, there’s things I can bring to this defense and have an impact on the defense.”

Talent was never the issue for Melifonwu, who posted a 9.69 relative athletic score coming out of Syracuse in the 2021 draft. While he was moved from cornerback to safety, he performed well enough to become a starter and posted an 82.1 overall grade on a career-high 535 snaps during the 2023 season.

Unfortunately, Melifonwu couldn’t stay on the field. Injuries limited him to just three games last season and he’s missed a total of 31 games over his four-year career. The missed time was why Miami landed the 26-year-old on a reasonable deal and the Lions’ safety position has turned out fine with All-Pro Kerby Joseph lining up next to Brian Branch.

In the end, both sides could get what they’re looking for if all goes well and Detroit shouldn’t miss a beat with one of their former secondary members off to Miami.