Where The Lions Roster Stands: Safety

Previously: Quarterback, Running Back, Fullback, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Center, Defensive End, Defensive Tackle, Linebacker, Cornerback

Returning from last season: Louis Delmas, Amari Spievey, Randy Phillips

Currently a free agent: John Wendling (he was tendered as a restricted free agent but will likely be unrestricted), C.C. Brown

New to the team: Erik Coleman (he was signed before the NFL lockout began)

The Detroit Lions' group of safeties is headlined by Louis Delmas. Many are pegging him to have a breakout season in 2011 and become one of the best safeties in all of the NFL. A nagging groin injury slowed him down a bit in 2010, but he is now fully healthy, according to his agent.

The other starting safety spot will likely be claimed by either Amari Spievey or Erik Coleman. Spievey switched to safety last season and improved over the course of the year. Coleman signed with the Lions prior to the NFL lockout after spending three seasons with the Falcons.

The other safeties that could be in the mix next season are Randy Phillips and John Wendling. Phillips signed as an undrafted free agent last year and looked pretty good in the preseason. He spent most of the regular season on the practice squad and is a candidate to make the jump to the 53-man roster full time this year. Wendling is set to become a free agent, but the Lions would like to bring him back for his excellent special teams play.

As for C.C. Brown, well, he is likely done in Detroit.

Need going forward?

While the Lions could perhaps use an upgrade at the starting spot opposite Delmas, they have bigger needs to worry about this offseason. I think they can get by with Spievey and Coleman, so the only move I foresee happening is a signing to add a body for depth during camp. Other than that, I think the Lions are pretty much set at this position.