Questionable
Injury Hamstring
Est. Return 3/1/2025
2024 Defense Stats
TCKL
10
SACKS
1.0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
2025 Projections
RANKS
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Limited action in 2024
Melifonwu (hamstring) played in three regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 10 tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks.
ANALYSIS
The 2021 third-round pick didn't make his regular-season debut until Week 16 against the Bears due to ankle and hand injuries. He was instantly inserted as the starting safety alongside Kerby Joseph and had a productive end to the regular season, but Melifonwu was unable to finish the Lions' NFC divisional-round loss against the Commanders after suffering a hamstring injury. Melifonwu enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, though he told reporters Tuesday that he would like to re-sign with Detroit, per Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site.
The 2021 third-round pick didn't make his regular-season debut until Week 16 against the Bears due to ankle and hand injuries. He was instantly inserted as the starting safety alongside Kerby Joseph and had a productive end to the regular season, but Melifonwu was unable to finish the Lions' NFC divisional-round loss against the Commanders after suffering a hamstring injury. Melifonwu enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, though he told reporters Tuesday that he would like to re-sign with Detroit, per Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site.
NFL Stats
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2024
2023
2022
2021
2024 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
2024 Ifeatu Melifonwu Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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How do Ifeatu Melifonwu's measurables compare to other safeties?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
* All metrics are from his Pro Day (not the combine).
Height
6' 2"Weight
210 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.48 secShuttle Time
4.36 secCone Drill
7.01 secVertical Jump
41.5 inBroad Jump
134 inBench Press
16 repsHand Length
8.88 inArm Length
32.25 in
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2021 Fantasy Outlook
Despite the Lions having rising cornerbacks on the roster, it apparently was hard to resist adding Melifonwu when he fell to the third round of the draft this spring. Standing 6-3 with a 4.48 40 time, he has the look of a safety but performs well as a press corner. In Detroit, he'll initially slot in behind Jeff Okudah, Quinton Dunbar and Amani Oruwariye at outside cornerback, but Melifonwu looks like a better prospect than the latter two players, and it shouldn't be more than a year or two before he's starting with Okudah. However, you don't have to look further than Okudah to know that young corners may struggle early on, so expectations for Melifonwu should remain in check during his rookie season.
More Fantasy News
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Injured against Commanders
Melifonwu suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Commanders and is questionable to return.
ANALYSIS
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Making regular-season debut Sunday
Melifonwu (hand) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears.
ANALYSIS
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Back from IR, still questionable
Melifonwu (hand) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
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Could return in Week 16
Melifonwu (hand) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
ANALYSIS
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Logs full practice Wednesday
Melifonwu (hand) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
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