Projecting the Lions depth chart: Safety

As the offseason winds down, we're going to project each position on the Detroit Lions depth chart and also take a look at some training camp battles. Next up is the safety position.

Starters: Glover Quin (FS), James Ihedigbo (SS) | Top backup: Isa Abdul-Quddus

At one point this offseason, it wasn't clear what was going to happen with James Ihedigbo after he made it known that he wanted a new contract. However, there hasn't been much discussion about that situation as of late, and it doesn't appear that there is going to be a contract standoff or anything like that. As a result, there's really not any uncertainty at the top of the depth chart at safety. Ihedigbo is still the strong safety, Glover Quin is back again as the free safety and Isa Abdul-Quddus remains the top backup.

Other backups: Don Carey | Other players: Nate Ness, Isaiah Johnson, Brian Suite, Taylor Mays

The main source of uncertainty at safety comes from the fourth spot. Don Carey is the clear favorite to retain this role, but he's facing a lot of competition. Isaiah Johnson and Brian Suite are both intriguing undrafted rookies, for example, and Nate Ness was briefly on the 53-man roster last year. And then there's Taylor Mays, who just joined the Lions last month. Mays is the most experienced competitor when it comes to Carey's spot at safety, and he could definitely make things interesting with a strong training camp.

Featured camp battle: Don Carey vs. Nate Ness vs. Isaiah Johnson vs. Brian Suite vs. Taylor Mays for the No. 4 spot at safety

Other camp battles to watch: Isaiah Johnson vs. Brian Suite for a spot on the practice squad

The main camp battle at safety, as I just mentioned, is for the fourth spot. It's entirely possible that Johnson or Suite will win that job and make the 53-man roster, but if neither player makes the cut, they will likely be in a battle for a spot on the practice squad. I suppose they could also theoretically battle for a fifth spot at safety if the Lions decide to keep an extra player on the roster at the position, but with six cornerbacks likely to make the team, that's probably not going to happen.

Previously: Quarterback, running back, fullback, wide receiver, tight end, offensive tackle, offensive guard/center, defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback