With Kerby Joseph's status for 2026 earning the closest thing to a verbal shrug from head coach Dan Campbell, the Detroit Lions might need to consider their options at safety ahead of the 2026 season.
The trade market isn't exactly teeming with obvious names at the position. It's a tough one to get an idea of valuation for, especially since the Lions really just don't seem to know how desperate they should be to net an additional safety with Joseph's status so uncertain.
One target, identified by Lions writer John Maakaron, would make a ton of sense for Detroit if they did want to add legitimate starting talent to their safety room: Grant Delpit.
"Delpit was one bright spot on a team that finished the 2025 season with a 5-12 record. After parting ways with Myles Garrett, the Browns could be open to dealing a player on the last year of his contract. Back in December of 2023, Delpit inked a three-year, $36 million extension. Despite a down season for the team, Delpit was among the bright spots on the Browns' defense."
Delpit could be a great fit for Lions amid Joseph uncertainty
As Ernesto Cova of Dawg Pound Daily wrote, Delpit could be the next casualty to an arduous cap situation in Cleveland thanks to the Deshaun Watson contract. Myles Garrett was already shipped out to the Los Angeles Rams, so it stands to reason that Delpit could be the obvious next player for the Browns to try and deal.
"As for Delpit, things might be a bit trickier. The Browns have a brand-new toy in Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a hybrid safety that could give defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg a versatile weapon against the pass and the run, similar to what the Seattle Seahawks got with Nick Emmanwori."
READ MORE: Lions legends give a reality check with latest comments on new-look O-line
Delpit had a down year in 2025, hitting just 89 total tackles and four passes defended. But, he did have three sacks, which was a career-high. That could be of value to Detroit, who got good sack numbers from Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad in 2025, but not much pressure from their secondary.
Delpit carries an $8 million cap hit for 2026, but is a free agent come 2027. This makes a deal feel a little easier to get done between the Browns and Lions, as Cleveland would likely just be seeking to get off that contract no matter what, and with Delpit not being so valuable that the Browns would need major draft capital to make a deal happen.
Detroit still owns their own picks next season except for their third rounder. They have the cache to make a small, but mighty, deal like this happen.
If Joseph's knee continues to linger as a huge issue headed into the preseason, and the team isn't totally sold on the viability of a 31-year old Chuck Clark starting all 17 games for them at safety, Delpit makes a ton of sense as a defender with starting experience who fits their timeline more neatly.
Add us as a preferred source on Google