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Deone Bucannon, a 6-foot-1, 211-pound strong safety, finished his collegiate career as the Pac-12's all-time leading tackler and third in conference history with 15 interceptions.

(AP File Photo)

Leading up to the 2014 NFL draft, MLive.com writers Justin Rogers and Kyle Meinke will preview prospects who could be a fit for the Detroit Lions.

Name: Deone Bucannon

Position: Safety

School: Washington State

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 211 pounds

Projected round: 2nd-3rd

40-yard dash time: 4.49

Key stats: Bucannon racked up massive stats in 2013, leading the Pac-12 in both tackles (114) and interceptions (six) as a senior. The numbers were slight improvements on an equally impressive junior campaign that saw him tally 106 stops and four picks.

He finished his collegiate career as the conference's all-time leader in tackles and third in Pac-12 history with 15 interceptions.

How he fits: The Lions have agreed to a two-year deal with 30-year-old strong safety James Ihedigbo, which fills the team's immediate need for a starter at the position.

Ihedigbo brings veteran leadership and a familiarity with Detroit's new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. The safety is also coming off his best professional season, recording career-bests in tackles (101) and interceptions (three).

But Ihedigbo is a short-term solution and the Lions need to inject some talented youth into the safety spot. Bucannon offers good size, a high level of college production in a variety of roles, and a strength of playing in the box, making him a logical protege for Ihedigbo.

Quotable:

"I feel like with my big frame and my bigger body, it's kind of clouded a lot of people who don't see the fluidity. But I feel like I am actually moving better than a lot of people

think, and I am going to continue to get better as far as that aspect." -- Bucannon

"I like him in the box, but he has the range to play on the back end." -- Mike Mayock