Previously: Quarterback, Running Back, Fullback, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Center, Defensive End, Defensive Tackle, Outside Linebacker, Middle Linebacker, Cornerback
Returning from last season: Louis Delmas
New to the team: C.C. Brown, Randy Phillips, John Wendling, Amari Spievey
You know that movie that came out last month entitled The Other Guys? That's basically what the Lions' safety position is -- Louis Delmas and the other guys. Delmas is the only player on the roster last season that is back this year and rightfully so. Delmas is an impact player on defense and if he can stay healthy, some believe he can make the leap to a Pro-Bowl caliber player in only year two of his career.
The other safeties on the roster are, well, much less talented than Delmas. One of the things the Lions spent the offseason doing was trying to find a safety that comes close to matching Delmas' talent level, which is why they were often linked to a potential deal for Jarrad Page. A move of that sort never developed, however, so the Lions decided to move forward with C.C. Brown as the starter opposite Delmas. He should be serviceable for sure, but I imagine many fans were hoping for a move to be made.
One of the bright spots at safety is the emergence of Randy Phillips during the preseason. When camp opened, he wasn't even on the team, yet just days after signing he worked his way to the top of the depth chart with Delmas sidelined because of an injury. Phillips looked awesome during the preseason and played his way onto the roster after being brought in as an undrafted free agent. He should be a solid backup for Delmas.
The other safeties on the roster are John Wendling and Amari Spievey. Wendling was signed at the end of August and is a solid special teams player, as revealed in this profile of him. Spievey, on the other hand, is still transitioning to safety from cornerback. The Lions still list him as a corner on their roster, likely because he is practicing at both positions and only recently started getting work at safety.
Need going forward?
I think the ship has sailed on a move to acquire a starter, otherwise I think the Lions would have traded for Page, who was shipped to New England over the weekend. Could there be some changes to the position if someone like Brown struggles? Sure, but for the first few weeks I would bet on the Lions standing pat with what they have and letting Spievey show what he can do at safety before going out and making a major type of move.