Lions Feel Kerby Joseph Is One of 'Best Young Safeties' in NFL

Why coaches and players think highly of the second-year safety.

The Detroit Lions feel that they have something special in second-year safety Kerby Joseph. 

The Illinois product emerged as one of the team's top defensive backs during his rookie campaign. He led the team in interceptions, and came up big at the biggest moments, including securing three interceptions of noted rival quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Having taken on a new status heading into his second year, Joseph has emerged this offseason with a new swagger. 

Among those who've noticed is first-year Lions cornerbacks coach Dre Bly. Though he doesn't work directly with the safety, he spends plenty of time with the secondary as a whole. 

As organized team activities come to a close, the coach had high praise for the charismatic youngster, after formulating his first impressions. 

"When I look at him, he's a phenomenal playmaker," Bly said. "Just the range he covers when he's in centerfield, the energy he brings to the field. He's always bouncing around, smiling and happy. That kind of reminds me of myself. That was the kind of player that I was when I played, and I know that kind of energy is contagious. So, that's what I see in Kerby. I really think this guy is gonna do great things for this defense. And, just looking at how he played last year, the amount of plays he made, we're hoping he can do the same this year for the upcoming season." 

The coach isn't the only one with high praise for Joseph. Among those who have been vocal in their support for him has been newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson. 

The veteran safety has a similar reputation around the league for being a takeaway artist. He, in fact, tied for the league lead in interceptions last season with six. 

Now, he sees similar value in the Illinois product that he'll be sharing the field with in 2023. 

“He’s a second-year player, right? He doesn’t realize how good he is, truthfully,” Gardner-Johnson said last week. “(Joseph is) one of the best young safeties in the game. He already has, but when he really understands that you ain’t out here by yourself anymore, you’ve got help, you’ve got veterans around you, you can learn the game a little bit more. You’re going to see a whole different Kerby Joseph.”

There is one area the Lions would like to see the young player hold back — his celebrations. Known for backflipping after a big play, Joseph has been asked to dial back his instant reaction in big moments. 

Still, he's bound to create more big plays in 2023 that will have fans excited. 

"I love to see it, man, because at the end of the day, if you're not having fun doing what you're doing, like, what are we doing? It's good to see the energy that the guys play with," Bly commented. 

Optimism in Motown

Bly can feel the excitement surrounding the Lions heading into the 2023 season. 

As Calvin Johnson hosted a football camp in the Lions' practice facility over the weekend, Bly was able to re-connect with several of his former teammates. 

Naturally, the topic of differences between Detroit then versus now came up. The coach discussed the energy of the city and how fans have embraced the Lions' rise in recent years. 

"We just sat here and reminisced about what it was like when we were here and what it's like now, the energy, the vibe, and everywhere you go, everybody's excited about the Lions," Bly said. "Now, the flip side of it is that we've got to go play and perform. But, as a professional athlete, this is what you envision, what you hope for when you go to a city to play ball. You want to be in a place where people are excited about the season." 

Yet, he knows that the fanbase will ultimately respond to how the team performs on the field. 

"A lot of people are excited about the Lions, and they've been following the Lions," the ex-NFL defensive back explained. "It's something to be a part of, man, it's something to be excited about as a coach, as a player. Now, we've got to go perform and need to go out there and execute, but when there's a vision, when everyone has a vision, it makes it more fun."