The Detroit Lions are bidding adieu to one of general manager Brad Holmes’ first draft picks.

Ifeatu Melifonwu, a third-round pick in 2021, is leaving Detroit after agreeing Tuesday to join the Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal worth $4 million, a league source confirmed to The Detroit News.

Melifonwu, 25, was a dynamic playmaker for Detroit’s defense when healthy but struggled to remain on the field.

He missed 37 games over four seasons with the Lions. He spent two separate stints on injured reserve this past season, first with an Achilles injury and then with a finger ailment, making appearances in just three regular-season games.

In Detroit’s memorable 2023 season, which Melifonwu capped with an interception of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens to seal Detroit’s first division title in 30 years, he began showing glimpses of how far his game had come. In 17 appearances (which included six starts), he totaled eight pass breakups, two interceptions, three sacks and a forced fumble.

But that version of Melifonwu never returned in 2024.

He was one of the first players to miss extended time in a season that was derailed by defensive attrition. Melinfonwu’s injury history began in Week 2 of his rookie season when he suffered a thigh injury that forced him to be placed on injured reserve. He missed seven games in 2022 with ankle and hamstring injuries.

Ultimately, the uncertainty was too much for the Lions to trust in a pivotal year, and with safeties Brian Branch (Pro Bowl) and Kerby Joseph (First-Team All-Pro) having spectacular seasons in 2024, there wasn’t a starting job available, anyway.

In addition to Branch and Joseph, the Lions have three other safeties on the roster: Morice Norris, Erick Hallett and Loren Strickland.