Statistics don’t tell the whole story, but it’s fun to check them out.

The Lions are looking for a starting safety to replace Louis Delmas who they released.

The three candidates are James Ihedigbo, Chris Clemons and Thomas DeCoud. Clemons and DeCoud (in photo) visited the Lions today (Friday) according to various reports. Ihedigbo visited a week ago.

Pro Football Focus ranked all safeties for the 2013 season with Ihedigbo at 16, Clemons at 19 and McCoud at 83 (that is not a typo). Curiously enough Delmas was ranked 26th and Glover Quin 11th.

Looking back another year to 2012, Clemons was 25th, Ihedigbo was 43 and McCoud was 64th. Delmas was 51st.

In 2012 Isa Abdul-Quddus was ranked 40th, he wasn’t ranked in 2013 because he played mostly special teams for the Saints.

Abdul-Quddus, 24, has kind of snuck onto the Lions’ roster under the radar. He was awarded to the Lions off waivers on Feb. 3. 

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)