Pride of Detroit
Ifeatu Melifonwu is one of the Detroit Lions’ toughest free agent decisions.
The career of Ifeatu Melifonwu has been a bumpy one since the Detroit Lions drafted him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In between the moments of position changes and injuries, Melifonwu has displayed some serious skills and shown he belongs in the league. Unfortunately, those moments have been few and far between.
Now at the end of his rookie contract, Melifonwu and the Lions are at a crossroads. The decision both must make this offseason is not easy, so let’s dive into Melifonwu’s career thus far and what it means for 2025.
Here’s a look at our previously written free agent profiles: WR Tim Patrick, G Kevin Zeitler, OT Dan Skipper, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad, DT Kyle Peko, LB Derrick Barnes, CB Carlton Davis, CB Emmanuel Moseley, and K Michael Badgley.
After minimal contributions through his first two years, Melifonwu finally showed he can be a difference-maker in the final stretch of 2023. With injuries in his past and a full transformation from corner to safety made, Melifonwu started the final five games of the regular season and all three playoff games. In that eight-game span, Melifonwu tallied 5.0 sacks, seven passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Going into 2024, the entire secondary was up for grabs. Would Brian Branch stay at nickel, allowing Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph run the backend? If Branch was moving to safety—as most indications showed—where would that leave Melifonwu? A rotational player? Could he play nickel? Or would Detroit just run a lot of three-safety looks to get all of their talented defensive backs on the field?
There wasn’t a lot known about Melifonwu’s role, but considering his fantastic finish to 2023, he figured to be a big part of their plans.
Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position
3 games (3 starts), 137 defensive snaps: 10 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 2 QB hits
PFF defense grade: 54.5 (did not meet minimum snap criteria for rankings)
PFF run defense grade: 51.1
PFF tackling grade: 52.9
PFF pass rush grade: 60.5
PFF coverage grade: 58.4
Unfortunately for Melifonwu, it was another season marred by injury. He suffered an ankle injury in training camp that forced him to miss the first two months of the season. Just when it looked like he was going to return, he dislocated a figure in practice, necessitating surgery. He went from injured reserve to active back to injured reserve in a matter of days.
He eventually made it back on the field for Detroit’s final run—almost mirroring his 2023 season—but, unfortunately, he only made a fraction of the impact compared to the previous season. While his skills as a blitzer were still on display this season—he produced six pressures in four games (including playoffs)—he didn’t provide much else.
In coverage, he allowed...
