The Detroit Lions open training camp this week, with veterans reporting Tuesday and the first practice taking place Wednesday. Through the next few weeks, including three preseason games, there are jobs to be won and roles to be defined.
Ahead of that first practice, we’re taking a position-by-position look at how those roster battles are shaping up. Today, we’ll explore the defense.
More: Lions training camp primer: Position battles to watch on offense
Edge defender
Whether it’s been talent, scheme, or some combination of the two, the Lions have had trouble affecting the quarterback in the pocket in recent years. The team will count on returning pieces, operating in a different-look defense, to get the pass-rush back on track in 2021.
There’s clearly some talent in place; it’s a matter of getting the individual parts working together, at the same time. The top pairing of Romeo Okwara and Trey Flowers has the potential to be a quality tandem following Okwara’s breakout season and Flowers back healthy after suffering a broken arm last season.
But the depth behind them remains shaky. Okwara’s younger brother, Julian, barely saw the field as a rookie because of injury issues, while Austin Bryant’s struggles with durability have limited him to 10 games his first two seasons.
The Lions added Charles Harris to the mix this offseason. A former first-rounder, he has underwhelmed in his first four seasons, tallying just 6.5 sacks.
The team really could use someone to emerge from that trio heading into the season. If the starters struggle to stay healthy, or one or more of the rotational depth doesn’t blossom, the results could be underwhelming, once again.
Interior defensive line
It doesn’t tend to get as much outside attention as the edge rush, but the Lions’ inability to push the pocket from the inside has been equally culpable to the defense’s overall struggles. But unlike the edges, the Lions made a significant effort to upgrade the heart of its defensive line.
One of general manager Brad Holmes’ first moves was trading for Michael Brockers, who likely will split his snaps inside and out. Holmes’ followed that up by grabbing Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill on the second day of the draft.
Suddenly, the room is a bit more crowded, and there is going to be some talent on the outside left looking in.
Nick Williams, a free-agent addition from a year earlier, took a pay cut after a disappointing 2020 season. The coaching staff is excited about Da’Shawn Hand, but he’s a guy who has missed 19 games the past two years after a solid rookie season back in 2018. And John Penisini, who stepped up and played well as a rookie nose tackle, seemingly is on the outside of the bubble after the Lions drafted McNeill, who offers far more athleticism per pound.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions explore trade interest for their defensive tackles before final cuts.
Linebacker
After three years with an emphasis on size over athleticism, the Lions spent the offseason trying to undo the previous regime’s vision for the position. Jamie Collins is back on a restructured deal and fortunately talented enough to fit any scheme, but he’ll be sharing the field with some fresh faces.
Alex Anzalone comes over from New Orleans. A college teammate of former Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis, Anzalone has battled some durability issues throughout his career. If nothing else, he’s solid in coverage and should be a veteran bridge who can help teach the scheme being implemented by first-year coordinator Aaron Glenn.
The Lions also bolstered the position in the draft, trading up to select Derrick Barnes in the fourth round. The former Purdue standout is fast, explosive and strong. If he can be a quick study in coverage, he should see significant playing time as a rookie.
It will be interesting to see how the depth shakes out. The team brought back special teams standout Jalen Reeves-Maybin with the intention of giving him another look on defense, while Jahlani Tavai dropped significant weight and showed improved movement skills during the early offseason practices.
Shaun Dion Hamilton, an offseason waiver claim from Washington, as well as Anthony Pittman (Wayne State), who spent the past two years on the practice squad, also have a chance to crack the roster.
Cornerback
With some invaluable experience against some of the game’s elite receivers, and a nagging core injury surgically repaired, Jeff Okudah is primed to make a second-year leap.
And while it’s not set in stone, Amani Oruwariye figures to start at the other outside spot. Coming off a season where he started 15 games and was the team’s best cornerback, he’ll look to continue on his upward trajectory.
In the nickel, the Lions replace Justin Coleman with Corn Elder. While the newcomer doesn’t make nearly as many plays on the ball, he’s more physical and a superior tacker.
Detroit’s depth should be better than it was a year ago. Quinton Dunbar is an experienced option a year removed from an outstanding season in Washington, while rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu, with his unteachable size, can be brought along slowly as he adapts to the speed of the pro game.
Mike Ford figures to round out the room while providing significant snaps on special teams, with Jerry Jacobs, Alex Brown and A.J. Parker fighting for practice squad jobs.
Safety
After a disappointing 2020 season, the new coaching staff will try to get Tracy Walker back on track by putting the young, talented safety in better positions to maximize his skill set.
The same could be said for Will Harris, but he doesn’t have Walker’s history of success at this level. That’s why Dean Marlowe, a free-agent addition, is a better bet to win the second starting job. Sure, he’s never played more than 230 defensive snaps, but he was backing up one of the better tandems in the league with the Bills the past couple of seasons.
Detroit has some intriguing young depth options in C.J. Moore and Bobby Price, who are each capable of making significant special-teams contributions. They’ll be pushed for jobs by young veterans Godwin Igwebuike and Alijah Holder, Jalen Elliott, who was on the Lions practice squad a year ago; and undrafted rookie D’Angelo Amos.
Special teams
After seven years of relative stability with Matt Prater handling the kicking duties, the Lions allowed the veteran to walk in free agency this year.
Based on his contract, it will be Randy Bullock’s job to lose. The veteran has made better than 83% of his career field-goal attempts, but doesn’t have Prater’s leg strength. Bullock has made just 12 field goals of 50 yards or more in nine seasons.
Matthew Wright, who has made all four of his career field-goal attempts, is the primary competition.
Detroit also will be looking for a new return man this season following Jamal Agnew’s departure. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond will start camp in the pole position, but others, including Victor Bolden, rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown and Amos — an accomplished return man in college — figure to be in the mix.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers