5 thoughts to end the week, led by sifting through Lions' secondary with some talent on the mend

Allen Park — Here are five thoughts to end the week as the Detroit Lions prepare to play the Houston Texans.

Secondary shuffle

With the three-week acclimation windows opening for cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu this week, I’ve spent a lot of time pondering what kind of defensive contributions either will be able to offer down the stretch.

At the very least, both are outstanding insurance options, giving the team talented and productive depth. That said, I’m curious how much either will see the field beyond special teams once they’re officially cleared to join the 53-man roster later this month.

Let’s start with Melifonwu, who was a critical cog down the stretch of the 2023 season. His insertion into the lineup was delayed by a broken hand, but he started the final five games, recording 26 tackles, seven pass defenses, two interceptions and 3.0 sacks. Despite no history of rusing the passer, he adapted to the ask, quickly emerging as one of the league’s most effective blitzers at his position, tallying 11 pressures on 20 rushes in those five games.

Surely there’s a place for that skill set somewhere on the defense, but where? It’s difficult to say it will be at safety, where Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are both playing at a Pro Bowl level. How can you possibly justify taking either playmaker off the field?

That leaves the possibility of a three-safety nickel package, which would eat into Amik Robertson's playing time. I don’t think this option can be dismissed. Robertson has been solid, not spectacular, the first half season. He’s performed well against the run, while the coverage has more been up-and-down. But the number that sticks out is zero pressures on 10 blitzes. That’s where Melifonwu can change the game, especially on third down.