Whereas the Detroit Lions had items of a profitable offense beneath head coach Matt Patricia, it was the protection that stood out for all of the mistaken causes.
The defensive mastermind didn’t grasp something throughout his time as head coach, and when time got here to rebuild, new common supervisor Brad Holmes had a variety of work to do to wash up the mess left by Patricia and Bob Quinn. The early phases of the rebuild meant gutting the poor suits and bringing in new suits for the scheme and tradition beneath head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Quinn had set the Lions thus far behind that there have been virtually no items to work with. An elite go rusher? How about an overpaid free agent bust. Defensive tackles? How about unathletic highway blocks. The secondary? Good luck. The Lions needed to reside with among the unhealthy contracts, but it surely was largely an overhaul of what didn’t work—which was, secure to say, loads.
Notice: For 2020 and 2021, solely gamers that performed over 100 snaps can be listed. For specialists, any kicker, punter, or lengthy snapper with a recorded look can be listed. For 2025, solely gamers seen as “doubtless” to make the roster can be listed.
For the earlier model on the Lions’ remodeled offense, click on right here.
Defensive finish
2020: Romeo Okwara, Trey Flowers, Everson Griffen, Austin Bryant
Underneath Patricia, the Lions valued include over stress, the fallout of which led to a number of low-sack seasons from their defensive ends. Okwara broke into double digits in 2020, nevertheless, one among solely three Lions to even report multiple sack that 12 months. The opposite names on that listing had been Flowers, who missed the second half of the season with a shoulder harm, and Griffen, a midseason commerce acquisition. Coupled with a subpar defensive sort out group, it was merely a horrendous state of affairs alongside the defensive position.
2021: Charles Harris, Austin Bryant, Julian Okwara, Trey Flowers, Romeo Okwara, Jessie Lemonier
A profitable 2020 marketing campaign made re-signing Romeo Okwara a simple resolution, but it surely was one which finally failed. Okwara tore his Achilles in Week 4 and by no means really recovered from it—he did play out his complete contract in Detroit, nevertheless. Flowers, as soon as seen as a prized free agent, had one other dismal 12 months in Detroit, culminating with a stint on the injured reserve and a launch the next 12 months. Harris had a breakout 2021 marketing campaign, however he has not since replicated that success. Bryant and Julian Okwara had been two former draft picks that by no means panned out regardless of ample alternative.
2025: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, Ahmed Hassanein, Al-Quadin Muhammad
What a distinction an elite go rusher makes. Hutchinson is coming off a critical leg harm, however the physique of labor that he recorded in simply 5 video games of the 2024 season was absurd. He can be paired with Davenport, a participant that missed most of his first season in Detroit with a triceps harm—contemplate 2025 a redo, one the Lions are hoping pays off. A wholesome Davenport could be a big boon for the Lions, provided that the depth is modest at greatest. Paschal has to date been a superb rotational piece, however little greater than that. Hassanein is an thrilling prospect, however he’s extra challenge than game-ready. Muhammad, in the meantime, is not any lock to make the roster, however he performed nicely sufficient in aid final season to return in 2025.
Defensive sort out
2020: John Penisini, Nick Williams, Danny Shelton, Da’Shawn Hand, Kevin Robust
There’s a cause why the 2020 Lions had been one of many worst run defenses within the NFL. Regardless of loads of bulk up entrance, they might not cease the run to avoid wasting their lives. Worse but, they didn’t have the go dashing capacity to make up for it. Penisini noticed a shocking variety of snaps for a sixth-round rookie, splitting time with Shelton at nostril sort out. Hand continued to battle accidents, failing to recapture his excellent rookie efficiency. Williams was dependable upon closely on account of different accidents, and whereas he was serviceable, he took a step again in his first 12 months in Detroit.
2021: Nick Williams, Michael Brockers, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, John Penisini
The Lions had been nonetheless within the means of shedding a few of Patricia’s inside, however there was a transparent transition in place. The Lions added McNeill and Onwuzurike within the draft, in addition to the veteran Brockers through commerce. Williams nonetheless performed a sizeable function, but it surely was clear that he was extra of a short lived repair whereas the rookies developed. Penisini noticed his function drastically lower, the necessity for a gap-filling nostril sort out a lot diminished within the new defensive entrance.
2025: Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, Levi Onwuzurike, Roy Lopez, Mekhi Wingo
Defensive sort out could possibly be one of many deepest positions for the Lions getting into 2025. All eyes are on the restoration of McNeill, the star sort out nonetheless working his approach again from an ACL harm. Fortunately for the Lions, they’ve invested in a gifted depth chart. Onwuzurike returns to Detroit after the perfect (and healthiest) season of his profession—and on an inexpensive contract in addition. In the meantime, Williams and Wingo are promising younger abilities that would blossom earlier than later. Reader could be on the downswing of his profession, however he’s nonetheless a stalwart a part of the inside. Lopez could possibly be the most important wild card for the Lions: high-upside depth that would realistically see a bigger function if he hits the bottom operating.
Linebacker
2020: Jamie Collins, Jahlani Tavai, Reggie Ragland, Christian Jones, Jarrad Davis
Linebacker is the place the place I feel the Patricia period Lions failed probably the most. Patricia needed greater, hulking linebackers that normally suffered from sluggish toes. Collins, Tavai, Ragland, and Jones every match the system—sadly, it was an ill-designed system. Protection was a evident weak spot of this unit, ceaselessly getting burnt by tight ends and operating backs within the passing recreation. Davis, in the meantime, was largely relegated to rotational duties as a failed former first-round choice.
2021: Alex Anzalone, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Derrick Barnes, Josh Woods, Jamie Collins
With the firing of Patricia and hiring of Glenn, a place that noticed drastic change was the linebacking corps. Of the 5 gamers that recorded over 100 snaps in 2020, simply one among them made the workforce. That participant, Collins, was launched in late September, marking the complete makeover. In reality, the one 2020 linebacker that made a notable contribution was Reeves-Maybin, who had been a full-time particular teamer. The Lions needed quicker linebackers, and Anzalone, Reeves-Maybin, and Barnes match the invoice.
2025: Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Grant Stuard
After a season the place linebackers had been falling like flies, the hope is that the Lions can climate 2025 with out too many accidents. They’ve the depth to handle a couple of accidents, however 2024 was past a worst-case situation. The beginning trio of Anzalone, Barnes, and Campbell are strong, a mixture of nice run stopping and protection capacity. Barnes, specifically, seemed promising as a SAM linebacker final 12 months, however his season was lower quick by harm. Campbell, in the meantime, took an incredible stride ahead and will very nicely lead the linebacking corps subsequent 12 months. The Lions can be with out Rodriguez to start out the 12 months, however Stuard ought to slot in properly whereas additionally changing Reeves-Maybin as a prime particular teamer.
Cornerback
2020: Amani Oruwariye, Justin Coleman, Darryl Roberts, Jeff Okudah, Desmond Trufant
Coming into coaching camp, there was optimism that it will be a resurgent secondary for the Lions. Nonetheless, it by no means really materialized. Oruwariye had promise as a rookie in 2019, however took a step again in 2020. Coleman continued to look outmatched and overpaid. Okudah seemed overwhelmed as a rookie. Trufant was injured most of the time. Abruptly, the Lions needed to flip to the likes of Roberts to be a succesful a part of the secondary—which he wasn’t.
2021: Amani Oruwariye, A.J. Parker, Jerry Jacobs, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Bobby Worth
The 2021 Lions secondary was flat-out horrendous, and the listing of cornerbacks paints a transparent image why. When Okudah received damage within the first recreation of the season, the Lions had nobody to show to. Oruwariye was the CB1 by default and struggled mightily, his perceived success inflated by six interceptions. Rookie Melifonwu battled accidents all season, so the Lions needed to flip to 2 undrafted rookies in Parker and Jacobs to stem the bleeding.
2025: D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Avonte Maddox, Khalil Dorsey
Speak about a rebuild. After struggling to discipline a reliable secondary, the Lions are out of the blue trying like one of many higher ones within the NFC. Arnold progressed nicely as a rookie, shaking off a mess of early-season penalties. The optimism is that he’ll pair with newly-signed Reed to be a lockdown tandem. To not be forgotten are Robertson and Rakestraw. Robertson was an under-the-radar asset for the Lions final season, whereas Rakestraw will look to rebound from an injury-shortened rookie season. Dorsey had some optimistic moments in protection, however his specialty and highway to the roster is as an elite gunner. Maddox, in the meantime, ought to determine into the protection dialog as a valued chess piece.
Security
2020: Duron Harmon, Tracy Walker, Jayron Kearse, Will Harris
The Lions safeties had been—shock—additionally not superb beneath Patricia both. Harmon began the 12 months sturdy earlier than falling off down the stretch. Each Walker and Harris failed to search out their footing in 2020, main to 1 being rotated for the opposite a number of instances throughout the season. Kearse, in the meantime, was one of many higher members of the secondary (which says extra in regards to the secondary), and was launched earlier than the ultimate recreation of the season after violating workforce guidelines.
2021: Will Harris, Tracy Walker, Dean Marlowe, C.J. Moore
Harris and Walker dominated the Lions’ snap rely, however performance-wise, they had been polar opposites. In his first full season as a starter, Harris was outclassed at security. This, coupled with cornerback accidents, finally resulted in his transition to cornerback, the place he was improved however nonetheless under requirements. Walker, alternatively, rebounded from a poor 2020 in his contract 12 months, success that he would parlay right into a three-year, $25 million contract the following offseason. Marlowe was serviceable as third security, however really noticed a efficiency uptick when thrust right into a beginning function.
2025: Brian Department, Kerby Joseph, Dan Jackson
There’s a important distinction between the Lions’ prime safeties and the remainder of their depth chart. Department and Joseph are simply the perfect security duo within the NFL, however who replaces them within the occasion of harm? The Lions drafted Jackson this 12 months, however his present-day worth is extra as a particular teamer than as a defender. As talked about, Maddox may think about as a nook/security hybrid, not too dissimilar to Department’s function. That leaves the likes of Loren Strickland, Morice Norris, Erick Hallett, and Ian Kennelly as reserve choices—a serious query mark for the Lions.
Particular groups
2020: Matt Prater (Okay), Jack Fox (P), Don Muhlbach (LS)
For all of the unhealthy that Patricia and Quinn did throughout their time in Detroit, no less than the particular groups state of affairs was good. Prater had a down 12 months in 2020 (solely going 21-for-28 on his kicks), however the veteran had entrenched himself as one of many prime legs within the league. Fox, in the meantime, went from a late-season observe squad signing in 2019 to a second-team All-Professional in 2020. At lengthy snapper, the Lions caught with Muhlbach, the then longest-tenured member of the Lions.
2021: Riley Patterson (Okay), Austin Seibert (Okay), Ryan Santoso (Okay), Aldrick Rosas (Okay), Jack Fox (P), Scott Daly (LS)
As a rebuilding workforce, the choice was made to maneuver on from the getting old Prater. The truth that there are 4 kickers on this listing highlights how poorly the Lions dealt with their post-Prater kicking state of affairs. Seibert technically “received” the preliminary job, although he was a waiver declare from the Cleveland Browns after each Randy Bullock and Zane Gonzalez struggled in coaching camp—a transfer that I’m nonetheless proud I predicted. When Seibert went down with harm, it was Santoso and Rosas that crammed in. The Lions finally settled on Patterson, who supplied some stability on the place (at the price of leg energy). Elsewhere, Fox remained the beginning punter, whereas 2021 marked the tip of the Muhlbach period in Detroit because the Lions changed him with Daly.
2025: Jake Bates (Okay), Jack Fox (P), Hogan Hatten (LS)
Fox has continued his ascension into the NFL’s elite specialists, incomes a first-team All-Professional nod in 2024. The Lions went for a youth motion at kicker and lengthy snapper, and each strikes have paid off early. Bates was among the many league’s greatest kickers final 12 months, with each a booming leg and ice in his veins. Hatten’s efficiency would possibly get missed on account of his place, however he not solely put collectively an incredible season snapping, he was quietly an asset on punt protection as nicely—he flies down the sphere.
