Kerby Joseph Is Playing Like the Best Safety in Football Right Now

Only four safeties have ever won Defensive Player of the Year in NFL history. The way Kerby Joseph is playing, he’s got a real shot at becoming the fifth.

Only four safeties in NFL history have won Defensive Player of the Year. Troy Polamalu. Ed Reed. Bob Sanders. Dick Anderson. That’s it. The award almost always goes to edge rushers, linebackers, corners — basically anyone but safeties.

Kerby Joseph is trying to change that.

The Lions safety has gone from excellent ballhawk to flat-out dominant this season, and his numbers are absolutely ridiculous. He’s not just making plays — he’s breaking opposing offenses.

The Numbers Are Absurd

Joseph is second in the NFL in interceptions. He’s the second-highest graded safety in the league by PFF — trailing only his own teammate Brian Branch. Those two are undeniably the best safety tandem in football right now.

But here’s where it gets wild:

Joseph is allowing a 41% completion percentage when targeted. A 23 passer rating allowed when targeted. Twenty-three. You’d literally be better off throwing the ball into the ground every single time than trying Joseph. At least then you don’t risk a pick-six.

Four of his interceptions have come in the end zone. Think about that. Quarterbacks are driving down the field, in position to score, trying to give their teams touchdowns — and Joseph is just ripping their hearts out instead. That’s 28 points he’s personally taken off the board.

He’s Not Just Getting Picks — He’s Changing Games

There’s a difference between a guy who happens to catch some interceptions and a guy who fundamentally alters how offenses have to operate. Joseph is the latter. Opponents get into the red zone thinking they’re about to score, and he just snuffs out their dreams.

That’s the leap he’s made this year. He went from being a playmaker to being a game-wrecker. Every throw in his direction is a gamble, and the house always wins.

Joseph is currently playing like a first-team All-Pro safety. He’s fourth in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation — and honestly, that might be conservative given how he’s performing.

Can a Safety Actually Win DPOY?

History says it’s a long shot. The last safety to win was Polamalu in 2010. Before that, you have to go back to Bob Sanders in 2007. The award loves pass rushers. TJ Watt, Aaron Donald, Micah Parsons — those are the archetypes that voters gravitate toward.

But Joseph is making it impossible to ignore him. The interception numbers are there. The coverage grades are elite. The game-changing plays keep stacking up. If the Lions keep winning and Joseph keeps doing this, he’s going to force his way into the top tier of the conversation.

Detroit’s got something special in that secondary. Branch and Joseph together might be the best safety duo we’ve seen in years. And Joseph specifically? He’s playing like one of the best to ever do it right now.

The Takeaways

• Kerby Joseph has a 23 passer rating allowed when targeted — you’re better off throwing it into the dirt
• Four of his interceptions came in the end zone, directly killing scoring drives
• Only four safeties have ever won DPOY — Joseph is making a case to be the fifth

Watch the full segment on YouTube: Kerby Joesph is making the case as the best Safety in the NFL.