The Seattle Seahawks have just released safety Rayshawn Jenkins on ahead of next week's free agency period. The first thing that came to mind upon that release is how much sense he makes for the Detroit Lions.
For starters, the Lions safety corps is kind of unknown at the moment. There's Kerby Joseph cemented in, but then we don't really know what the plan is to keep Brian Branch at safety or keep him in the slot. It's likely the former, but we'll see. Then we don't know if Ifeatu Melifonwu will be back or if he'll move on to another team.
Frankly, even if he is back and Branch goes to safety, the Lions still need depth because beyond them is just Loren Strickland and Morice Norris. Two undrafted players who will have a lot to do on special teams and rotate around, but don't have the experience that Jenkins does.
Schematically Jenkins fits as a safety that can get after the quarterback on a safety blitz when he's on the field. If Detroit loses Melifonwu, Jenkins can be the guy that fills that need. He's also a fairly good run defender and has the positional versatility to play in the box, slot and at free safety.
In addition to that, his two best seasons as a pro were in 2022 and 2023 when he worked under Lions' passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend in Jacksonville. This would be a good reunion spot for the two.
Jenkins also wouldn't break the bank. He's likely to get a contract similar to the one that Justin Simmons is projected to get this offseason. That's a one-year deal worth $5.75 million. Super cheap and easy. Keep an eye on Jenkins next week and remember how much Brad Holmes has been pounding the table for depth.
