The Detroit Lions have added the final player to their initial 53-man roster for the 2025 season, claiming safety Thomas Harper off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n
Harper played for four seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring to Notre Dame in 2023 for his 5th collegiate season. He would go undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and would sign with the Los Angeles Chargers, but was released at cutdowns and claimed off waivers by the Raiders. During his rookie season, Thomas played in 15 games\u2014started in five (191 snaps on defense)\u2014and recorded 26 tackles, two pass deflections, an interception, and a half sack. He recorded an overall grade of 78.3 from PFF, including a 76.4 coverage grade. On special teams, he was a five-phase special teamer, recording 264 special teams snaps on kick coverage\/return, punt coverage\/return, and field goal\/extra point block teams.<\/p>\n
While primarily a deep free safety, Harper has the range to cover out of the slot and drop down into the box\u2014these are all key traits the Lions look for in their safeties. When their defensive backs are interchangeable weapons, it prevents their secondary from getting caught out of position. As his PFF grade indicates, Harper is an intense man-coverage option in the secondary, but he is also a tenacious run defender. He\u2019s still a developing prospect, but with 4.49 speed and explosiveness (42-inch vertical jump), there are traits to work with.<\/p>\n