Every NFL season brings its breakout stars—players who rise from relative obscurity to make a major impact on the field. In 2024, few defensive players fit that description better than Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph. Yet despite his stellar play, Joseph continues to fly under the radar nationally. With everything he accomplished last season, it’s time the league and its fans finally give him the respect he deserves.
Joseph, drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, came into the league as a raw but gifted athlete with a reputation for ball-hawking skills. In his rookie season, he flashed potential, showing a nose for the football and an ability to come up with game-changing plays. By 2023, Joseph had firmly established himself as a starter in Detroit’s secondary, but it wasn’t until the 2024 season that he fully broke out and showcased just how valuable he could be to a rising Lions defense.
When you look at his 2024 campaign, it’s not hard to see why Joseph deserves more recognition. Week after week, he was a difference-maker, often lining up against top-tier quarterbacks and offensive schemes. His instincts, range, and ability to anticipate plays turned him into one of the most reliable safeties in the NFC. While Detroit’s defense as a whole took a major step forward, Joseph was consistently the one delivering highlight-reel moments—whether that meant breaking up a deep shot downfield, forcing a turnover, or shutting down an opponent’s momentum in the red zone.
One of the most impressive aspects of Joseph’s rise has been his ability to step up in big moments. The Lions, who enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in decades, leaned heavily on their defense in several key games, and Joseph’s fingerprints were all over those wins. Fans will remember his clutch interceptions, his physical tackles, and his ability to set the tone from the back end. For a defense trying to shed the old reputation of inconsistency, Joseph provided both stability and swagger.
And yet, despite everything he accomplished in 2024, Joseph’s name rarely came up in conversations about the league’s elite safeties. National media outlets often highlight bigger-market players or veterans with longer résumés, leaving rising stars like Joseph overlooked. Pro Bowl and All-Pro voting, too, failed to reflect the true impact he had on Detroit’s defense. For Lions fans, this lack of recognition feels all too familiar—Detroit players often have to do twice as much to get half the credit.
But here’s the reality: Kerby Joseph has earned his spot among the NFL’s best young safeties. His growth from a mid-round draft pick into a cornerstone of Detroit’s defense is no small feat. He’s not just a solid contributor—he’s the type of player who tilts the field, the kind of defender offenses must account for every snap. If 2024 was any indication, Joseph is only scratching the surface of what he can become.
As the Lions continue their resurgence under head coach Dan Campbell, Joseph’s role will be central to their future success. Detroit is building a team capable of contending deep into the playoffs, and Joseph’s presence in the secondary is a huge reason why. The league can’t afford to overlook him any longer.
The time has come for the NFL to give Kerby Joseph the respect he has rightfully earned. He’s more than just a rising star—he’s already one of the best safeties in the game, and 2024 proved it. Now it’s up to the league, the media, and the fans outside of Detroit to catch up to what Lions supporters already know: Kerby Joseph is the real deal.