The Detroit Lions have selected Georgia safety Dan Jackson with the 230th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jackson fills one of Detroit’s final remaining needs, as the Lions only have Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Morice Norris, Erick Hallett, and Loren Strickland at the position. Jackson could contend for the third safety role on the team, as none of Detroit’s depth has much experience at the position. But he’s got a long road to get there.
A walk-on at Georgia, he played a lot of special teams before becoming a starter in 2024. A tier-two on our Grit Index, Jackson’s play is defined by his effort.
“Then he worked his way from eighth (defensive back) to sixth, and then he worked his way to fifth, then he blocks a punt,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in 2022. “All he does is give you everything he’s got every day.”
At 6-foot, 194 pounds and with a 7.02 RAS, Jackson will likely compete for a special teams role in Detroit and will have to fight for his roster spot.
Previous selections:
Round 1, Pick 28 — Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Round 2, Pick 57 — Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
Round 3, Pick 70 — Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas
Round 5, Pick 171 — Miles Frazier, G, LSU
Round 6, Pick 196 — Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE, Boise State
Lions remaining picks
Round 7, Pick 28 (244 overall)
Top remaining needs for Lions:
Defensive end
Guard
Defensive tackle
Wide receiver
Safety
Linebacker
NFL Draft schedule
Day 3
What: Rounds 4-7
When: Saturday, April 27 — Noon ET until around 7 p.m. ET
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Online streaming: ESPN app, NFL Plus, ABC