The draft offers teams opportunities to fine-tune their rosters and fill holes. Coming off a playoff birth, this NFC team did the most to improve its defense through the NFL Draft.
This Team Improved its Defense the Most Through the NFL Draft
Addressing the Secondary
Although the Lions offense put up big numbers in 2023, the defense was a liability during certain games. Against the run last season, Detroit was solid. Their pass defense, however, ranked in the bottom six of the league in terms of yards allowed (per ESPN stats). The team moved on from Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Tracy Walker, and Cam Sutton, leaving holes at safety and cornerback. A trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers landed them Carlton Davis but there was still work to do in the draft.
Aaron Glenn’s defense switched to relying more on zone coverage midway through the 2023 season, which helped improve their performance. Even though the unit showed improvement, the organization recognized its weakest component and looked to the draft to address the defense. With five of their first six draft picks, the Lions added defensive prospects. The only potential exception in that group is Sione Vaki, who made an impact at Utah as a running back. With picks 24 and 61, the team addressed the secondary with two potential cornerstone players.
Adding High-Pedigree Players
In the first round, Detroit traded up with the Dallas Cowboys to land Terrion Arnold at pick 24. Arnold was considered by many to be the best cornerback in the 2024 class. His impact should be felt immediately, as the Lions came into the draft with a few veteran cornerbacks who have dealt with injuries. Emmanuel Mosley was unavailable for most of 2023 but has been solid when healthy. Amik Robertson was also solid for the Las Vegas Raiders but has not played a full season as a full-time starter yet. Adding Arnold gives the defense a young blue-chip cornerback who can contribute immediately.
At Alabama, Arnold was a shutdown cornerback with the range and versatility to play in the slot . Adding him to the mix instantly makes Detriot’s secondary better. Pairing Arnold with Ennis Rakestraw Jr. makes the Lions draft even more impressive. While playing at Missouri, Rakestraw made his name by being physical and unafraid of contact. His style of play fits what Dan Campbell and Glenn want out of their players. Having held his own in the SEC, Rakestraw comes to Detroit with a proven track record of holding down top receivers. He’s listed as a nickel cornerback behind Brian Branch and should make an impact sooner rather than later for the Lions.
By drafting Vaki, the Lions landed a player who can be used in multiple ways. Vaki landed on Jim Nagy’s list of guys and will enter the league as an interesting player to watch. Nagy runs the Senior Bowl so he gets a close eye on NFL prospects as they prepare for the draft. While it is uncertain how the Lions will use Vaki on defense, players of his caliber have transitioned well to the NFL. Myles Jack is a player who resembles Vaki as a prospect, and Jack carved out a solid career in the NFL on defense. Glenn should be able to find a home for Vaki on defense.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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