The Detroit Lions’ defense has taken plenty of heat through the first quarter of the season, and not without reason.
After blanking the New Orleans Saints in the opening half of the season opener, Detroit has spent the last few weeks getting exposed in its 2-2 start. In both losses, the defense has been a major part of the problem, and the unit now sits near the bottom of the league in several key categories. That’s put defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard squarely in the spotlight as the Lions head into Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals.
There are a couple of schematic tweaks Detroit could make that might help steady things. One starts with the way the Lions are playing coverage.
Given all the talk about their preference for man coverage, the instinct might be to cut back on it. But this is a team that has stayed true to its identity under Dan Campbell, and there’s a good chance that won’t change dramatically now.
Still, the Lions could get more out of their pass rush by being more aggressive at the line. Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and D.J.
Wonnum have all piled up multiple sacks early in the season, and that front could benefit from corners pressing receivers more often. Detroit has been sitting in the middle of the pack in pressure rate, which suggests there’s room for more if quarterbacks are forced to hold the ball.
So far, the Lions have leaned on a lot of off-man looks. That gives defensive backs room to stay on top of routes, but it also gives receivers a cleaner release and faster separation. Tightening things up at the line could create more disruption for opposing passing games and, in turn, give the rush a better shot at finishing plays.
The other adjustment involves safety depth and run support. Because Detroit leans so heavily on man coverage, many of its looks feature either no high safety or just one. On Sunday’s film, there were snaps where that lone safety was sitting 15 yards off the ball, and that kind of spacing can create problems against the run.
That’s a particular concern with the Lions dealing with issues at linebacker. Brian Branch’s return could matter a lot here, especially because he has shown himself to be a dependable tackler throughout his career. Bringing a safety closer to the line would give Detroit more help in stopping the run and reduce the chances of giving up explosive gains when backs get into space.
There’s a tradeoff, of course. Moving a safety down to around 10 yards instead of 15 would leave less cushion against vertical routes. But it would also give the Lions more protection against the run, and that balance may be worth rethinking as they try to get the defense back on track.
In Other News...
Darius Slay Just Said What Lions Fans Fear About This Secondary
Darius Slay has never been shy about giving his old team an honest evaluation, and his latest comments land at a time when the Lions are still trying to steady a defense that has drawn plenty of scrutiny. The former Detroit cornerback pointed to Carlton Davis as the player he thought fit best in the scheme and said letting him leave in free agency was the clubs biggest recent misstep, a remark that will sound familiar to anyone who has watched the secondary struggle to find consistency.
Slay also took aim at the broader direction of the defense under Kelvin Sheppard, suggesting the issues in the back end go beyond one departure and reflect a need for a different philosophy. He did leave open a sliver of intrigue about his own future, saying he might entertain a return for the right offer, though he made clear he is comfortable with life after football for now. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Pass Defense Problem Could Force A Trade Fans Didn't Expect
Through the first month of the season, the Lions pass defense has been one of the clearest pressure points on the roster, and it has already pushed the front office into the trade market. Detroit has talked with other teams about cornerback Joey Porter Jr., but the search for help could widen if the right deal materializes. One name floating into the conversation is Philadelphia cornerback Riq Woolen, a player with the kind of tools that can change the feel of a secondary in a hurry.
Woolens contract situation and past performance make him an intriguing fit for a team trying to shore up the back end without overcommitting long term. Philadelphias recent roster changes, including the retirement of Lane Johnson and the trade of Cam Jurgens, have also fueled the idea that the Eagles could be willing to keep moving pieces to stockpile future draft capital. For the Lions, the question is whether a move like that is realistic, and whether solving the pass-defense issue will require a swing more aggressive than the one fans expected. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Secondary Problem Is Fueling A Trade Fans Will Want
The Lions search for help in the back end keeps circling back to the trade market, and Kristian Fulton has become one of the more interesting names attached to it. Detroit has already come up short on other cornerback targets, including Joey Porter Jr., which has only sharpened the focus on a defense that could use more stability on the outside. Fultons situation in Kansas City makes him a logical candidate to watch, especially with the kind of midseason deal that can sometimes benefit both teams.
Jeremy Fowler reported that Fulton is not currently a full-time starter for the Chiefs, and that matters for a Detroit team looking for a player who can step in without forcing a massive overhaul. A trade could come together if the teams are willing to split his salary, which gives the Lions a possible path forward if they decide to keep pressing for help. For a secondary still trying to find the right fit, this is the sort of move that can gain momentum quickly if the price is right. [Read more 🡒]