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Detroit Lions select Illinois safety Kerby Joseph in third round of 2022 NFL draft

The Detroit Lions closed Day 2 of the NFL draft by adding more help for their defense.

The Lions drafted Illinois safety Kerby Joseph with the 33rd pick of the third round, No. 97 overall.

Joseph had five interceptions while earning all-Big Ten honors last season in his first year starting for the Illini. He should compete for playing time with the Lions this fall in a secondary that returns Tracy Walker and Will Harris at safety and added Deshon Elliott in free agency.

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The Lions, owners of the NFL's 31st-ranked scoring defense last season, have spent three of their first four picks in the draft on defensive players.