Adding a safety with low medical concern could be a top priority for the Lions entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Due to injuries to Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, the safety position scored a 6/10 on my Lions Defensive Positional Need Rankings.
Xavier Nwankpa is a young safety with a very low medical concern level which might make him a good fit for the Lions.
Here is the excerpt from my Xavier Nwankpa Medical Report:
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information are unverified and subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Xavier Nwankpa, S (22) – Iowa
Projected round 3-6. Matt Miller’s #309 overall player.
Concern level 0/10
Nwankpa has some minor, typical, football injuries, but nothing is concerning for residuals. He ear needed a couple rounds of stitches but should not be an issue. He displayed excellent reliability in college and is at the right age.
He finished with 3 INT and 4 PBU in college.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions NFL Draft Injury Report: Iowa S Xavier Nwankpa
Reporting by Jimmy Liao, MD, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
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