Jalen Catalon: Lions' Draft Safety Option

0:00On April 20th, Lions fans, the safety spot on defense rates a 6 out of 10 need heading into the draft, mostly because of nagging help issues with the current crew. That puts it on the radar for Detroit to grab some fresh talent come draft time. One name floating around is Jalen Catalan from UNLV, a safety projected for rounds 6 or 7. He'll be 25 at the start of the 2026 season, which factors into the risk assessment. Diving into his background, Catalan has a marathon college career, stretching back before COVID hit. He racked up injuries early on, like shoulder surgeries in high school and college, a knee meniscus fix, and a leg issue that sidelineed him for chunks. Of seasons from 2019 to 2022, but checked the tape from his last two years, he played every game in 2024 and 2025, looking solid and reliable on the field. With 10 interceptions and 14 pass breakups over his career, Catalan's got the ball skills, but those past knocks raise big questions about.

1:00Durability as the Lions weigh their options this off season. Stay locked in with NFL News Today, AI-powered updates.