​The Detroit Lions have spent the past several years building one of the NFL’s deepest and most talented rosters, and nowhere is that more evident than at safety.That reality was reinforced in ESPN’s annual survey of more than 70 NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, where Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph both earned spots among the league’s top 10 safeties. While injuries impacted each player’s placement, the respect they continue to command around the NFL was impossible to ignore.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith two young stars still in their mid-20s, the Lions appear to have one of football’s premier safety duos for years to come.Detroit Lions PFF Grades Detroit Lions safeties rankingsAfter finishing second in last year’s rankings, Branch slipped two spots to No. 4. His drop had little to do with his ability and much more to do with availability after a torn Achilles limited him to 12 games during the 2025 season.Even with the missed time, Branch remained one of the NFL’s most productive defensive backs.According to ESPN’s survey, Branch posted a 1.9 percent pass breakup rate, which ranked third among NFL safeties. He also showcased his versatility by playing both in the slot and at safety while recording 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hits.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis unique skill set continues to impress league evaluators.“Versatility, toughness, smarts. He’s a complete player,” one NFL passing game coordinator said. “He’s a baller when healthy. He’s got elite instincts.”Another NFL personnel evaluator echoed those sentiments.“He can play forward or backward at a high level. Not many can.”Perhaps the best news for Detroit is that Branch has reportedly avoided any setbacks during his recovery. While the Lions are expected to be cautious with his return, there remains optimism that one of the league’s most versatile defenders will once again become a centerpiece of Aaron Glenn’s defense.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJoining Branch in the top 10 was fellow Lions standout Kerby Joseph, who checked in at No. 9.Like Branch, Joseph’s ranking was affected by injuries after missing 11 games during the 2025 season because of a knee injury. When healthy, however, few safeties have matched his production.Joseph has totaled 20 interceptions and 35 passes defended in just 52 career games, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s premier ball hawks.His impact extends well beyond traditional statistics.According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Joseph recorded a remarkable 50.0 percent ball hawk rate in 2025 after defending four of the eight passes thrown into his coverage area.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOne NFL personnel evaluator offered perhaps the simplest explanation for Joseph’s success.“He finds the ball. It’s hard to find guys with post range like him who can play over the top.”The advanced metrics paint an equally impressive picture.Over the past two seasons, the Lions