As the Detroit Lions look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, fortifying the safety position is a clear priority. The unit was dealt a significant blow last season with season-ending injuries to key contributors Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, highlighting the need for reliable depth. Enter Kansas State's VJ Payne, a prospect whose name is gaining traction in Lions' draft circles, particularly due to one standout trait: his durability.

Projected as a mid-to-late round selection (rounds 4-6), Payne presents an intriguing value proposition. Analyst Jeff Risdon has even mocked him to the Lions in the fourth round. On the field, he showcased impressive athleticism with a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and finished his collegiate career with 4 interceptions and 10 pass breakups.

However, the most compelling part of his profile is his medical report. In the high-stakes, injury-riddled world of the NFL, availability is a premium skill. Payne boasts a 100% track record of availability and is considered a "medically clean" prospect. Coupled with a favorable age for the start of the 2026 season, this makes him a very low-risk, high-reward target for a team like Detroit that needs dependable players to compete in a tough NFC North.

For a Lions defense looking to build sustainable success, a player like Payne—who brings both athletic upside and crucial reliability—could be a perfect fit in the draft's later stages, allowing the team to address other immediate needs with its earlier picks.