The Detroit Lions are looking to build off of what was a very strong 2022 campaign in 2023. They shocked a lot of people going 9-8 and while they didn’t make the postseason, a foundation was laid for the future.
If the Lions want to take that next step, they have to figure things out defensively. For how efficient and productive the offense was, the defense was on the opposite side of the spectrum last season.
Detroit finished the season 28th in points allowed and last in yardage surrendered. They gave up the most first downs in the NFL and ranked 30th in passing yards allowed despite facing only the 15th most pass attempts. On the ground they were leaky as well, ranking 29th in rushing yards allowed and 30th in yards per rushing attempt.
In the offseason, the secondary was revamped as the Lions signed cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. That trio will help their pass defense immensely, but there is still work to be done for the run defense.
First-round pick, linebacker Jack Campbell, will certainly help, but it will take more than one player to transform this unit. Colton Pouncy of The Athletic broke things down recently for the team still having questions at defensive tackle, a key component to stopping the run.
“Levi Onwuzurike was drafted to be a difference-maker but he remains sidelined with a back injury,” Pouncy wrote. “Isaiah Buggs was serviceable, but the team felt he played too many snaps a year ago. And rookie Brodric Martin could be the team’s nose tackle of the future, but he’s still raw.”
Who could the Lions target at this point in the offseason to fill the void? Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggested the Indianapolis Colts should look to trade Grover Stewart this offseason. Stewart would be a great pick-up for Detroit as he excels against both the run and as a pass rusher.
Adding a veteran of that caliber to the defensive line would certainly help turn that unit around. If the Lions want to succeed as much as they believe they are capable of in 2023, making aggressive moves, such as acquiring Stewart, makes a lot of sense.
