The Detroit Lions should take interest in upgrading their defensive before the 2024 season. They should look to surround their star EDGE Aidan Hutchinson and make their defense a threat to, not only their NFC North opponents, but the entire league.
Detroit’s 2023-24 season ended just a game short of making it to the Super Bowl, where they lost 31-34 to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. However, making it to the NFC Championship should be considered a major win for the fans because it is a run they have not gone on in years. After a historic season that ended far sooner than Detroit fans wished it would, the Detroit Lions should be looking to upgrade their roster for next season.
The Lions were not perfect by any means, there were holes in the roster that they now have a chance to fix going into free agency and going into the upcoming draft. This comes along at the same time that they are hopefully looking to extend QB Jared Goff and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown.
One major area that Detroit can look into would be their depth in their defense. With DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson returning to the Philadelphia Eagles, and with the departure of CB Jerry Jacobs, the Lions need to look into solidifying their defense and finding players that make that side of the ball stronger for the 2024 season.
Here are three ways Detroit can look to upgrade their defense:
Looking for Repeat Performances from Standouts
A Repeat Performance from Brian Branch
Internally, they will most likely look to last season’s rookie DB Brian Branch. Branch was considered one of the standout performances for the 2023-24 Lions team with 3 significant interceptions and 1 touchdown on the year.
In the minds of Detroit fans, Branch provided a spark for the defense. Even if it did not look like much in the stat line, Branch made his name known in clutch situations for the team.
Finding Depth in Ifeatu Melifonwu
Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu provided a much needed spark to Detroit’s defense— a spark that maybe they weren’t expecting, but now hope to retain going into next season.
Melifonwu provided a stat line that looked like 11 total tackles and 3 assists on tackles.
Looking to Players that Impressed Detroit in the 2024 NFL Combine
Detroit Lions Senior writer, Tim Twentyman, took note of 10 players that impressed at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Of those 10 players, three stand out as a possible solution to Detroit’s defensive holes.
Looking to their 2023 stat lines, we can find some information on the defensive picks the Lions may look to pick up to help their defensive squad.
CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
CB Quinyon Mitchell provided 41 total tackles with one interception on the year with Toledo. His services could be useful in Detroit with the recent departure of CB Jerry Jacobs.
EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
EDGE Dallas Turner provided the Crimson Tide with 53 total tackles with 10 sacks in the year 2023. Developing in the Lions organization and shadowing a mentor like Aidan Hutchinson could serve Turner well.
Alabama always produces an NFL ready group of prospects and finding someone as “NFL ready” as an SEC prospect could be what the Lions need to boost their defense.
DL Braden Fiske, Florida State
In the midst of, what some considered to be, a playoff season for Florida State, DL Braden Fiske was part of that success. In the 2023 season, Fiske recorded 43 total tackles and 6 sacks. He would provide the Lions with defensive line depth, which is a space the Lions needed to have filled last season.
Detroit Lions Bringing in New Signings to Add Power
Amik Robertson Brings CB Depth
Former Las Vegas Raiders CB Amik Robertson has recently signed with the Lions to upgrade their depth in the secondary. Robertson provided Las Vegas with 50 total tackles, with 38 being solos.
The cornerback also gave his former team 1 sack and 2 interceptions on the season. This could give Detroit a needed boost in the secondary with the departure of C.J Gardner-Johnson and Jerry Jacobs.
DJ Reader Adds Defensive Star Power to the Lions
D.J. Reader has recently reportedly signed with the Detroit Lions on a two-year $27.25M deal.
Reader comes off of a season with the Cincinnati Bengals where he had a significant impact on the defensive line. Reader recorded 34 total tackles, with 20 of those being solos. He also gave the Bengals 1 sack on the year as well as being a key piece in their defense.
We will have to see how Reader bounces back from a season ending quad injury last season for the Bengals, but he should bring that emphasis on the defensive side of the ball like the Lions need.
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