When the Detroit Lions played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, they had offensive difficulties. The Lions handed the ball over twice on downs and threw two interceptions despite amassing 463 offensive yards. Additionally, only one of Detroit is seven red zone possessions resulted in a touchdown.
However, the NFL scouting section of Bleacher Report asserted on September 16 that the Lions ought to take action to strengthen their defense. Safety Rudy Ford, a member of the Green Bay Packers last season, was identified by Bleacher Report as the guy the Lions should “add now.”
The crew at Bleacher Report stated, “Kerby Joseph missed Wednesday’s practice due to a hamstring injury, and Ifeatu Melifonwu has been banged up to start the season.” Therefore, it could be wise for the Lions to, just in case, add another safety to the roster or practice squad.
“After spending the last few years in Green Bay, Rudy Ford would be a good fit because he has experience lining up at free and strong safety and is familiar with the NFC North.”
The 29-year-old safety has been a member of the Packers for the last two seasons. He has also played in regular seasons for the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars over his seven-year career.Ford finished the previous season with the Packers with 71 total tackles, 6 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions.
Rudy Ford’s Potential Safety Benefits for the Lions
Ford joined the NFL as a sixth-round selection in 2017 by the Cardinals. He was selected late in the draft, but as a rookie, he played in 10 games for Arizona.
The Cardinals gave him his first career start the following year in 2018.
For the first time in his career, Ford started multiple contests in Jacksonville during the 2021 campaign. In the last two seasons, he has been given greater playing time, and in 2023, he started a career-high nine games.
Over the last four seasons, Ford has participated in more defensive snaps than he did the year before.
For a team like the Lions that has lofty hopes, that kind of experience is always beneficial. Ford is a valuable asset on special teams as well.
Ford has played at least 100 special teams snaps in each of his NFL seasons prior to his rise to the status of a consistent defensive starter last season.
Ford played with the Carolina Panthers during a portion of the 2024 preseason. On August 27, nevertheless, Carolina released him.
Ford’s Potential Position in the Lions Secondary
The safety injuries that the Lions are dealing with were detailed by Bleacher Report.
Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu, the backup safety, are both injured. Despite having a hamstring issue on the injury report, Joseph participated in Week 2 play. Due to an ankle problem, Melifonwu has missed the first two games of this season.
Since Melifonwu has not participated, Brian Branch has prepared for additional snaps at safety. After two weeks, Branch leads the team in combined tackles. However, Pro Football Focus reports that he had trouble in Week 1 playing primarily safety.
Branch recovered against the Bucs, but in Week 2, he was not as effective while lining up.
In his rookie campaign the previous year, he primarily played in the spot.The Lions might move Branch back to nickel cornerback if they sign Ford to the active roster. Alternatively, Detroit might include Ford on the practice squad as backup in the event that Branch gets hurt or Joseph’s hamstring grows worse.
