With three safeties signed to one-year deals, the Detroit Lions are clearly planning ahead—making the 2026 draft the perfect time to find their next defensive playmaker on the backend.
The Detroit Lions’ approach to the safety position this offseason tells you everything about their long-term plans. By signing veterans like Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox, and Christian Izien to one-year deals, Detroit has created flexibility—but also a clear need to develop young, cost-controlled talent at the position. That’s where the 2026 NFL Draft comes into play, and prospects like Bud Clark, Michael Taaffe, and Cole Wisniewski could all fit different roles in Kelvin Sheppards defense.
Bud Clark, TCU
TCU Horned Frogs football
Bud Clark enters the draft as one of the more proven playmakers at safety. Over 61 career games at TCU, Clark totaled 214 tackles, 15 interceptions, and 35 pass breakups, showcasing elite ball production and durability. His résumé also includes multiple All-Big 12 honors and a memorable pick-six against Michigan in the College Football Playoff.
Clark projects as a Day 2 pick (late 3rd round range), largely due to his instincts and versatility in coverage. He’s not the most physically imposing safety, but he thrives as a rangy defender who reads quarterbacks well and creates turnovers.
For Detroit, Clark fits as a potential free safety of the future. His ability to generate takeaways would be especially valuable in a defense that thrives on creating extra possessions.
Michael Taaffe, Texas
Texas Longhorns football
Michael Taaffe’s rise is one of the best stories in this class. A former walk-on at Texas, Taaffe developed into a First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC selection in 2025, along with winning the Wuerffel Trophy.
Statistically, Taaffe produced across the board. In 2025 alone, he recorded 70 tackles, 2 interceptions, and consistent coverage efficiency, while also contributing heavily on special teams. Over the past three seasons, he has shown steady ball production and strong football IQ.
Taaffe is projected as a late-round pick (6th–7th round) due to average athletic traits, but his instincts and discipline stand out. He plays with strong awareness in zone coverage and rarely blows assignments.
For the Lions, Taaffe screams special teams contributor and depth safety early on—a role Detroit values heavily. With their current one-year deals at safety, Taaffe could carve out a niche as a reliable backup who eventually develops into a rotational piece.
Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Cole Wisniewski brings a completely different skill set. After a standout career at North Dakota State—where he totaled 195 tackles, 8 interceptions, and earned FCS All-American honors—he transferred to Texas Tech and continued producing.
In 2025 with Texas Tech, Wisniewski posted 78 total tackles, 1 sack, and multiple pass breakups, proving he could handle Power Five competition. His earlier FCS season with eight interceptions highlights his ball skills, while his 6’3”, 219-pound frame makes him a physical presence.
He projects as a late-round to priority UDFA due to limitations in deep coverage, but his versatility is intriguing. Some teams even view him as a hybrid safety-linebacker.
For Detroit, Wisniewski could fill a box safety or sub-package linebacker role, similar to how the Lions deploy physical defensive backs near the line of scrimmage. His tackling, instincts, and special teams upside give him a realistic path to making a roster.
Final Outlook
With short-term answers currently in place, the Lions don’t need an immediate starter—but they do need long-term stability. Bud Clark offers the highest upside as a playmaking defensive back, Michael Taaffe brings reliability and intelligence, and Cole Wisniewski provides physicality and versatility.
If Detroit wants to future-proof the position, targeting one—or even two—of these safeties in the 2026 draft would be a smart, forward-thinking move.