Lions’ Revised Depth Chart for Defense
Early in the summer, Brad Holmes, general manager of the Detroit Lions, committed a substantial sum of money to strengthening the defense. Wednesday marks the start of the new league season, and the team has already made a number of important defensive additions.
Detroit’s defense has received veteran talent by dealing for Carlton Davis and adding Marcus Davenport, Amik Robertson, and DJ Reader.
The team is well-prepared for the upcoming 2024 season with some talented players currently on the roster.
This is a current rendering of Aaron Glenn’s defense coordinator team in 2024.
Mitchell Agude, Mathieu Betts, James Houston, Josh Paschal, and Marcus Davenport
Considering Cominsky’s body of performance overall, I’ll give him the advantage for the time being. However, Davenport, if fit, can make a difference, and Paschal showed some promising late-season play.
Due to the fact that his injury hampered his growth, Houston’s comeback in his third season will be interesting to watch.
Prior to his injury last year, McNeill was headed for the Pro Bowl. He enjoyed the advantages of being more athletic and in better shape after a successful offseason the previous year.
He is one of the most likely prospects to succeed in 2024, particularly with Reader joining the mix. Onwuzurike has only played 26 games in his three years as a rookie, and he is about to enter the final year of his contract. The Washington product is going to have an exciting season.
Reader adds a great deal. Apart from covering the midfield, he will also act as an experienced coach for Martin, who participated in just three games in the previous season.
The veteran can deflect some of the attention away from Aidan Hutchinson and McNeill while bringing genuine pass-rush ability.
It’s time for Campbell to enter the starting lineup after a great 2023 campaign. But Barnes isn’t going down without a fight, and both should get a lot of action in various packages.
Anzalone has grown into a dependable defensive player and one of the team’s best captains. In contrast, Rodriguez’s position shrank when Campbell was added to the team last year.
Still, both Reeves-Maybin and the Oklahoma State product are key additions to the special teams groups.
Steven Gilmore, Emmanuel Moseley, Craig James, Khalil Dorsey, and Amik Robertson
The Lions have become more proficient at this position after determining that it was one with a glaring need. Though he is smaller in stature, Robertson matches the team’s physicality, and Davis has a wealth of experience covering elite wide receivers.
In light of this, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Lions keep searching the Draft for additional elite talent.
Last season, Branch took over the nickel role from the beginning, which helped the Lions accept Ceedy Duce’s exit. It is possible to build some depth at this position because Detroit only needs to teach one of its defensive backs to assume the role.
After recording eight interceptions in his first two seasons, Joseph has established himself as one of the NFL’s most formidable ballhawks. Though Joseph offers them a very good alternative, the Lions will still need to find depth.
In contrast, Melifonwu emerged from his shell towards the end of 2023. His ability to coordinate blitzes and contribute in a variety of ways was precisely what the defense of the Lions needed.
Early in the season, the Lions gave Joseph a three-game promotion and were able to sign him to a futures contract.
