The Detroit Lions have finalized their 53-man roster for the 2025 season, bringing in safety Thomas Harper, who was claimed off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders.

Harper began his college career with Oklahoma State, where he spent four seasons before transferring to Notre Dame for his final year of eligibility in 2023. Despite a strong career, he went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He initially signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, but was released during roster cuts and quickly picked up by the Raiders.

In his rookie year with Las Vegas, Harper appeared in 15 games, starting five. He logged 191 defensive snaps, tallying 26 tackles, two pass breakups, an interception, and half a sack. Analytics site PFF graded him at 78.3 overall, including a 76.4 coverage grade. On special teams, he proved reliable across multiple units, registering 264 snaps on kick and punt coverage/returns as well as on field goal and extra-point defense.

Though he primarily plays as a deep safety, Harper has the versatility to line up in the slot or step into the box, making him a flexible option in the secondary. His skill set—man coverage ability, tackling strength, and athleticism (4.49-second 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical)—fits the mold of what Detroit values in its defensive backs.

Harper now becomes the fourth safety on the roster, joining Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch as the starting duo, along with veteran addition Daniel Thomas in a reserve role. Loren Strickland remains on the practice squad, while defensive backs Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya-Sin continue to be cross-trained at both safety and corner for added depth.