DETROIT — Whether the Detroit Lions accomplish their goals of winning the whole enchilada this February — as head coach Dan Campbell put it — could hinge on the strength of their defense.
The coaching staff believes the unit is much improved after a flurry of offseason moves. The Lions added a solid mix of veteran talent and youth capable of cracking the playing rotation. If health permits and things come together as anticipated, Detroit’s defense could finally take the leap in 2024. When paired with a potent offense, it could be dangerous.
With that in mind, we have thoughts on each of the 44 defensive players and special teamers on the roster. In case you missed it, Part 1 of this series ran Wednesday, breaking down all 45 players on offense.
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Edge Aidan Hutchinson: One of the best young edge rushers in football, Hutchinson took a massive leap with 101 pressures and his first double-digit sack season. If he can convert more of those pressures into sacks now that he has more help, he could have an All-Pro season.
Edge Marcus Davenport: A talented but oft-injured defensive end, signed to a one-year deal. If he can stay healthy, Davenport can be a high-win-rate player opposite Hutchinson who can also defend the run. But that’s a big ask, considering his history.
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Edge/DT Josh Paschal: The former second-round pick has been solid against the run but has yet to break out as a pass rusher. That might not be his game, but there’s still time to figure it out. Right now, he’s a fringe starter/rotational edge with enough positional versatility to kick inside. He’ll compete with Davenport for a starting gig.
Edge/DT John Cominsky: A high-effort defensive end with inside-outside versatility, Cominsky has been a relatively inexpensive contributor and a good locker room presence over the last two seasons. His 2022 season was better than 2023, though, which led to a pay cut. He’ll look to bounce back in 2024.
Edge James Houston: Injured for all but a handful of games, Houston will try to re-capture the magic from his 2022 debut (eight sacks in seven games). He might be the Lions’ best pure pass rusher and could thrive in a situational role.
Edge Mitchell Agude: Keep an eye on Agude. The 2023 UDFA flashed on the second team and earned some first-team reps. He’s got good measurables and could fight for a roster spot after joining the practice squad last season.
Edge Mathieu Betts: The 2023 CFL Defensive Player of the Year, Betts has been spotted repping at Sam linebacker — the hybrid role in Detroit’s defense. The Lions think he’s more versatile than they thought. Repped with the twos this spring.
Edge Isaac Ukwu: A UDFA added this spring, Ukwu transferred from James Madison to the SEC, playing his final season at Ole Miss. He’s got solid size and good bend.
Edge Nate Lynn: Lynn joins Colby Sorsdal as William & Mary products added by the Lions in recent seasons. A two-time finalist for the FCS defensive player of the year, Lynn is more effort and motor than traits, but that can get you somewhere with this Lions coaching staff.
GO DEEPER
Lions roster review: Thoughts on all 45 of Detroit's offensive players
DT Alim McNeill: One of the game’s best young defensive tackles, it’ll be fascinating to see what’s in store for McNeill this season. Last year was a breakout season, and he’s now paired with one of the game’s best nose tackles. It could lead to a Pro Bowl season in a contract year.
DT DJ Reader: A free-agent addition brought in to elevate the defensive line, Reader is a space-eating nose tackle who gives maximum effort. He’s still recovering from a torn quad, but the hope is that he’ll be ready for the start of the season. He’s already been a plus in the meeting room, with several young DTs discussing how he’s given them tips to improve.
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DT Levi Onwuzurike: There’s reason to be cautiously optimistic about Onwuzurike. He earned plenty of unprompted praise from the coaching staff this spring, was a mainstay with the first-team offense with Reader out and even played on the edge sometimes. He should make the roster easily as a rotational tackle and could finally be ready for a regular role.
DT Brodric Martin: One of the benefits of having Reader around is his willingness to mentor guys like Martin. He was a project coming out of Western Kentucky and looked like one last year. The Lions wanted him to improve his pad level and technique last year. He’s already gotten his body right, and with some tips from Reader, he could emerge as his understudy at nose this year.
DT Kyle Peko: Peko missed quite a bit of time this spring, but he’s an experienced veteran who’s been around the block and spent time with Lions DL coach Terrell Williams in Nashville.
DT Mekhi Wingo: Coming out of April’s draft, Wingo looked like an undersized three-tech with pass-rush potential. The Lions are playing him on the edge, too, so it appears they like his versatility. Some draft experts had Wingo with a top-100 grade, so the Lions got great value for him at pick No. 189.
DT Chris Smith: The Notre Dame product went undrafted last year but flashed enough to stick around on the practice squad. That could be his home again in 2024, but I’d like to see him when the pads go on.
LB Alex Anzalone: Detroit’s leader on defense, Anzalone has steadily improved as the talent around him has. He’s a reliable linebacker playing some of the best football of his career. Credit the Lions’ coaching staff for believing in him when others — media and fans alike — did not.
LB Jack Campbell: First-round expectations will follow Campbell until he either sinks or swims, but all signs point to a much-improved season. Coaches say he’s been a leader of the defense this spring. He’s found a home at Mike linebacker after moving around last year, and that continuity combined with natural growth and improved pieces around him could help him unlock the potential the Lions saw him in.
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LB Derrick Barnes: Campbell’s arrival last season could’ve left Barnes feeling slighted. Instead, it motivated him to carve out a role for himself. He’s one of Detroit’s three best linebackers, and his game-winning interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers propelled the Lions to the NFC Championship. He’s been playing the Sam linebacker role a bit more, which could be a good fit given his background as a pass rusher in college.
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin: A true special teams ace and quality reserve linebacker, Reeves-Maybin was one of the better signings last offseason. The Lions rewarded him with a new contract in March. They’re happy to have him.
LB Ben Niemann: Added to the roster in June, Niemann comes with meaningful NFL experience on special teams and in a defensive role. He could fight for a roster spot, especially considering former roster mainstay Anthony Pittman is now in Washington.
LB DaRon Gilbert: A hard-hitting college safety now playing linebacker, the Lions added Gilbert as a UDFA out of Northern Illinois this spring. Gilbert went to Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, so he’s a local product.
LB Malcolm Rodriguez: The Lions have already gotten good value out of Rodriguez, a former sixth-round pick who’s played plenty of defensive snaps. While he’s a reserve at this point, the Lions know they can turn to him when needed, and he also offers special teams value.
CB Carlton Davis III: The Lions traded a third-round pick to the Buccaneers for Davis because they needed a physical corner with man coverage skills. He checks all the boxes they look for regarding play style, toughness and mentality. He could be a strong fit for this defense if he stays healthy.
CB Terrion Arnold: When Arnold was still available halfway through the draft, you couldn’t help but wonder if the Lions would make a move. They did at pick No. 24, trading with the Dallas Cowboys to land a player who could be their CB1 of the future. Arnold is an impressive and fearless youngster who made several plays this spring. He could lock down a starting job opposite Davis with a good training camp.
1st pick for Agent 0️⃣ @ArnoldTerrion pic.twitter.com/shYi3DQG0N
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 11, 2024
CB Emmanuel Moseley: Don’t forget about Moseley. It’s been a tough couple of years for him, tearing his ACL twice, but the Lions re-signed him this offseason for a reason. He was limited this spring but could be ready for training camp, giving the Lions another quality option outside.
CB Kindle Vildor: The fact that Vildor started playoff games and might be CB5 or 6 for the 2024 team shows how far the Lions have come. The Lions liked him enough to bring him back as depth, which suits him better.
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CB Khalil Dorsey: A veteran corner who got some defensive snaps last season, Dorsey returns in 2024 after making the roster in 2023. There’s more competition this time, but the Lions like what he brings to the table on special teams.
CB Morice Norris: Norris, a UDFA out of Fresno State, made some plays this spring and seems to have caught the coaching staff’s attention. If you’re looking for a dark horse roster candidate, it might be him. At the very least, he’s competing for a practice squad role.
CB Steven Gilmore: Gilmore made the roster as a UDFA after a strong preseason, but was a regular healthy scratch. Again, the Lions’ cornerback room is much stronger than it was this year ago, so it’ll be more difficult for Gilmore to earn a spot. If they can keep him around on the practice squad, though, he could continue developing there.
Nickel/S Brian Branch: One of the Lions’ best defenders as a rookie, Branch was one of the steals of the draft at pick No. 45. He’s already one of the best nickel corners in football and could add more value if he’s ready for more snaps at safety. Where he ultimately lines up will dictate what the Lions do with others in the secondary, but rest assured, he’ll be on the field. He’s too valuable not to be.
Nickel/CB Amik Robertson: The Lions weren’t sure if Robertson would still want to sign with them after they traded for Davis, given the competition that would await. Instead, he asked them if they were getting a deal done. That’s how he’s wired, and the Lions love it. He spent most of his time at nickel this spring with Branch out but could also fight for a spot on the outside in training camp.
Nickel/CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: The Lions were shocked Rakestraw was still available at No. 61. He was their second-highest graded cornerback behind Arnold. The Lions love his demeanor, physicality and versatility. He repped at nickel this spring and is likely looking at a reserve role in 2024, but he profiles as a piece for the future.
S Kerby Joseph: Nobody on this roster has the sort of ball skills Joseph possesses. It’s an instinct and a gift that gets him in trouble sometimes, but turnovers are valuable for a defense, and his range is elite. A hip injury could be responsible for an up-and-down 2023 season, but he got surgery to address it this offseason.
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S Ifeatu Melifonwu: A true breakout player over the final stretch of the regular season, Melifonwu was among the leaders in defensive splash plays from December on. If he can recapture that magic throughout a full season, the Lions will be in good hands at safety. However, injuries have been an issue over the years.
S Brandon Joseph: A UDFA out of Notre Dame who spent most of the 2023 season on the practice squad, Detroit’s coaching staff liked how Brandon Joseph developed last season. With Kerby Joseph out this spring, Brandon Joseph was a mainstay with the first-team defense. If the Lions don’t sign a veteran safety, it’s because they believe in Brandon Joseph as a reserve.
S C.J. Moore: Suspended for the 2023 season for violating the league’s gambling policy, the Lions brought back Moore when his suspension lifted. Before the 2023 season, he was a trusted special teamer for Dave Fipp and should pick back up where he left off.
S Chelen Garnes: Garnes was part of a Wake Forest secondary that featured two draft picks. He ultimately couldn’t make it three, going undrafted, but the Lions gave him an opportunity this spring. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s physically cut like Amon-Ra St. Brown.
S Loren Strickland: A downhill safety with good instincts, Strickland joined the Lions as a UDFA out of Ball State. Considering the Lions added a couple of UDFA safeties, there’s a chance they’re looking to develop one on the practice squad.
PK Michael Badgley: Badgley has ended the last two seasons as Detroit’s No. 1 kicker, but he didn’t start either season in that role. He’s been reliable from short to intermediate distance, but his range leaves a bit to be desired. He’s the established option in training camp.
PK Jake Bates: Bates is here to challenge Badgley, plain and simple. He was a standout in the UFL, connecting on 7-of-12 attempts from 50-plus yards and 3-of-4 from 60 or more yards — in some high-pressure situations, no less. You don’t want to get in a habit of kicking 60-yarders, but it’s nice to have the option.
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P Jack Fox: In a perfect world, the Lions wouldn’t need Fox. But he’s there when they do, and he’s been a reliable punter for them over the years. He’s got a strong leg and his arm is a bonus.
LS Scott Daly: Daly found himself in a battle with Jake McQuaide last year but ultimately won and held down his roster spot. A knee injury ended his season in October, but Daly is back with the team — with more competition.
LS Hogan Hatten: The UDFA out of Idaho will challenge Daly for a roster spot. Of note: Hatten’s relative athletic score of 9.89 is the third-highest of all time for a long snapper. The more you know.
(Top photo of Aidan Hutchinson: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
