The Lions’ Need for a Dominant Defensive Tackle
The Detroit Lions had a successful offseason under new General Manager Brad Holmes, but one position still needs addressing – defensive tackle. After missing out on Pro Bowl defensive tackle Calais Campbell in free agency, the Lions have yet to fill the void left by him. The team’s defensive line is anchored by promising young player Alim McNeill. Still, they lack a dominant presence at the interior of their defense that can cause havoc for opposing teams.
The Importance of a Dominant Defensive Tackle
In today’s NFL, having a strong and disruptive interior defender is essential to any defense. With the game becoming more pass-heavy, interior defenders who can collapse the pocket and disrupt quarterbacks have become highly sought after. They can also be effective against the run by redirecting rushing lanes and making tackles in the backfield. Adding such a player to Detroit’s lineup could make a significant impact on their defense in 2023 and beyond.
Addressing the Need Through the NFL Draft
The Lions are expected to address their need for a dominant defensive tackle through the 2023 NFL Draft. In collaboration with PFF’s Mock Draft simulator, Ryan Mathews and Erik Schlitt developed a mock draft indicating which players they could target with each pick. With the No. 6 pick traded down to No. 11 by acquiring an additional first-round pick for next year, they selected cornerback Devon Witherspoon from Illinois.
Keeanu Benton Selected at No. 48
Detroit continued to beef up their line by selecting Keeanu Benton from Wisconsin as their second selection at No. 48 overall. Benton played nose tackle at Wisconsin and specialized in disrupting plays with his strength and quickness off the snap of the ball.
Other Key Picks
Other key selections in the Lions’ mock draft included Darnell Wright, an offensive lineman from Tennessee, chosen at No. 18. Devon Achane from Texas A&M was selected at No. 55 to provide another running option, and Jayden Reed from Michigan State was chosen at No. 81 to bolster the wide receiver position.
More Prime-time Games on the Horizon for Detroit in 2023 Season
Despite being left out of the initial 2022 national prime-time schedule, Detroit Lions president Rod Wood believes that there will be more opportunities for his team in 2023. The NFL has three simulcast games on Monday Night Football and one additional game on Amazon’s exclusive Thursday Night Football lineup the day after Thanksgiving, increasing the likelihood that the Lions will play under the lights next season.
Aidan Hutchinson Wants More Primetime Opportunities
The Lions’ young star player, Aidan Hutchinson, expressed his desire to play more prime-time games for Detroit. As one of the fast-rising teams in the league with an impressive showing against Green Bay last season, earning more primetime opportunities could elevate this team further.
Hosting and Away Games
Detroit is set to host several teams in their home stadium Ford Field next season, including Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders. They also have a series of away games against some of the biggest names in football – Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, it remains to be seen how many of these matchups will be scheduled during prime-time hours.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions have taken significant steps in their offseason moves under General Manager Brad Holmes to bring new talent into their roster while retaining key members of their defense from last year. While they still lack a dominant defensive tackle, their plans to address this need in the upcoming NFL draft coupled with potential prime-time matchups next season could significantly increase their chances of success in 2023.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
