The BBH/Big Hitter's Scouting Report: Detroit Lions Defense

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The Detroit Lions Defense

No way to sugarcoat it, the Detroit defense is just plain bad. More to the point, they are the league's worst, sitting dead last at both yards/game (416.2) and points/game (29.3), In fact, they are on pace to have the 8th worst yardage defense EVER. The Lions are 31st in run defense (160.9 Y/G) and 27th in pass defense (255.3 Y/G). The Lions yield 5.3 yards/carry and have given up 15 rushing touchdowns, both 30th in the league. They have given up 15 touchdown passes (30th) and have 6 interceptions (tied 21st). They have yielded 213 first downs (tied for 29th) and are dead last in third down efficiency (51.4%). In a pick-your-poison choice, opponents have shown a balanced 46.7 run/pass ratio.

50-year-old Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn played fifteen years in the NFL. Glenn, a terrific three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, played 1994-2001 for the Jets, then 2002-2008 for the Texans, Cowboys, Jacksonville, and Saints. He later served as DB coach for the Browns (2014-2015) and the Saints (2016-2020) before Dan Campbell hired him in 2021 as the Lions DC. Glenn runs a 4-3-4/4-2-5 defense with elements of a 3-4-4/3-3-5. Glenn's scheme is blitz-happy: by my count, the Lions have sent 5 or more pass rushers on 29.1% of the passing downs. In fact, the Lions have rushed a back-seven defender 171 times, or 55% of the pass plays, while they have dropped a DE/edge into coverage 80 times, or 26% of the pass plays. None of this has helped an anemic pass rush: the Lions have just 15 sacks for minus 97 yards, both 28th in the NFL. The Lions began the season with quite a bit of man coverages, but a prodigious number of huge pass plays resulted in a switch to an almost exclusively zone scheme. This switch couldn't save the job of defensive backs/defensive passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant, who was let go on October 31.

Defensive Line

The who/what/where of the Detroit defensive line can be quite confusing. The Lions have a 3-to-4 player rotation at defensive tackle, but they also include a rotation of defensive ends to DT alignments and edge/outside linebackers to defensive end. Most of the D linemen are bad-to-awful in run defense but are also poor in pass rush. Add in a healthy dose of dropping DE/edge rushers into coverage and you get an ineffective if confusing mish-mash of WTF-is-going-on stew.

Alim McNeill is the Lions starting nose tackle. A 2021 third-round pick from North Carolina, McNeill has played 460 (74%) of 619 total defensive snaps. To date, he has 13 tackles (7 solo), three tackles for loss, and 2 QB hits. He earns PFF grades of 57.8 in run defense, 57.6 in pass rush, and 61.7 overall, ranking #46 of 124 qualifying tackles. The starting 3-tech is Isaiah Buggs, a 2019 sixth-round pick from Alabama. Buggs has to date played 440 (71%) of the defensive snaps. To Date, Buggs has 21 tackles (12 solo), 1 pass defended, and three QB hits. Buggs grades 40.9(run)/56.2(pass rush)/43.1(overall), ranking #104 out of 124. The primary backup DT is Benito Jones, a 2020 UDFA signing from Ole Miss. In 140 snaps, Jones has 5 tackles (3 solo) and one pass defended. Jones grades 39.2(run)/55.6(pass)/40.0(overall), ranking 109/124. The venerable 35-year-old Michael Brockers began the season as the starting 3-tech, but has since entered the coaches' doghouse and has not played since Week 5. A 2012 first-round pick of the Rams, Brokers, in 113 defensive snaps, has 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. Brockers grades 48.4(run)/55.8(pass rush)/50.1(overall). Rookie UDFA Demetrious Taylor has just 13 defensive snaps, all in the Week 5 blowout loss to New England. Taylor has since been waived.

Rookie first-round pick Aiden Hutchinson has been all that was expected and more. The #2 overall pick from Michigan, Hutchinson has played 533, or 86%, of the defensive snaps. To date he has 28 tackles (19 solo), 4 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 interception, and 10 QB hits. Hutchinson grades 61.6(run defense)/61.7(pass rush)/75.6(coverage)/66.8(overall), ranking #49 out of 119 qualifying DE/edge rushers. Starting opposite Hutchinson is co-rookie Josh Paschal. A second-round pick from Kentucky, Paschal has played 195 (32%) of the defensive snaps. Paschal presently has 7 tackles (4 solo) and 2 QB hits. He grades 63.4(run)/55.5(pass rush)/61.1(coverage)/61.5(overall), ranking 74/119. Paschal has been nursing a knee injury and has been ruled OUT FOR SUNDAY. Backup DE/Edge Charles Harris, a 2017 first-round pick from Missouri, has played 261 (42%) of the snaps. Harris has 14 tackles (10 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, 4 QB hits, and one forced fumble. He grades 45.3/56.5/64.4/56.4, for an overall rank of 93/119. Harris suffered a groin injury this week during practice and has been ruled OUT FOR SUNDAY. Backup DE John Cominsky, a 2019 fourth-round pick from West Virginia-Charleston, has played well. With 154 (25%) defensive snaps, Cominsky has 8 tackles (4 solo), 1 TFL, 1.0 sacks, and 2 QB hits. He grades 73.1/57.9/60.3/67.6. Austin Bryant, a 2019 fourth-round pick from Clemson, has played 126 (20%) of the defensive snaps. YTD he has 6 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PD. He grades 61.8/56.2/55.9/58.1. Bryant did not play the past two games but, given the injuries to Paschal and Harris, will likely see extended playing time against the Giants.

Linebackers

Alex Anzalone is Detroit's starting middle linebacker. Anzalone rarely comes off the field, having played 584 (94%) of 619 defensive snaps. A 2017 third-round pick from Florida, Anzalone is, at best, below average. Year-to-date, Anzalone has 72 tackles (44 solo), 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 4 PDs, and three QB hits. He earns PFF grades of 57.2(run defense)/49.5(coverage)/67.5(pass rush)/51.9(overall), ranking #70 out of 82 qualifying inside linebackers. The Lions do carry two backup ILBs. Jarrad Davis was the Lions 2017 first-round pick (Florida). Davis spent a disappointing four seasons in Detroit. When the Lions did not pick up his option, Davis left and played 2021 for the Jets. Released by the Jets after just one season, Davis was signed back by Detroit to their practice squad. Due to linebacker injuries, he was promoted to the active roster for last week's game against the Bears. Davis played 12 defensive snaps, registering 2 tackles (1 solo) and 1 PD, with a PFF overall grades of 82.2. Elsewise, ILB Josh Woods is a specialty teams ace who has registered six ST tackles. He has just two defensive snaps.

Starting WLB Malcolm Rodriguez injured his elbow in the Week 9 win over Green Bay and missed last week's Bears game. He practiced all this week but is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday. A rookie sixth-round pick from Oklahoma State, Rodriguez has taken 371 defensive snaps. Year-to-date, Rodriguez has 54 tackles (41 solo), 5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. He earns PFF grades of 57.2(run)/59.1(coverage)/76.7(pass rush)/61.6(overall), ranking 45 of 82 qualifying linebackers. SAM/swing linebacker Derrick Barnes is a second-year fourth-round pick from Purdue. With 187 defensive snaps, Barnes has 27 tackles (15 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. He grades 59.9(run)/39.7(coverage)/73.8(pass rush)/56.4(overall), ranking #55 of 82. Chris Board began the year as the nominal starting SAM but his defensive playing time severely dropped after suffering a Week 4 knee injury. Board has played just 13 defensive snaps over the past five games. On the season, the 2018 UDFA signing from North Dakota State has played 91 defensive snaps, registering 14 tackles (11 solo), 1 QB hit, and 1 forced fumble. Board grades 59.7(run)/90.6(coverage)/76.5(pass rush)/90.3(overall). Julian Okwara, the brother of injured DE Romeo Okwara, splits time at OLB and at edge. A 2020 third-round pick from Notre Dame, Okwara has played 169 defensive snaps. On the year, Okwara has 16 tackles (9 solo), 3 TFL, 2.0 sacks, and 3 QB hits. He grades 59.5/31.0/56.2/43.1. Listed as an edge by PFF (I disagree), Okwara ranks a very poor 115/119. Finally, Anthony Pittman, a 2019 UDFA OLB from Wayne State, is used mostly as a specialty teams player. He has taken 26 defensive snaps, earning an overall linebacker grade of 58.4.

Cornerbacks

By far Detroit's biggest defensive disappointment has been left corner Amani Oruwariye. Following a solid 2021 season, outlets such as Bleacher Report projected Oruwariye as a potential 2022 Pro Bowl candidate. Instead, the 2019 fifth-round pick from Penn State has completely tanked, ranking dead last in PFF's list of 114 qualifying corners. His play has been so bad that he was a healthy scratch twice this season and played just a single defensive snap in each of the past two games. Year-to-date, Oruwariye has played 342 defensive snaps, registering 32 tackles (26 solo), 1 TFL, 2 PD, and 1 fumble recovery. He posts atrocious PFF grades of 29.1 (coverage)/30.0(run defense)/28.2(overall). Will Harris, who has played several positions along the defensive backfield, has taken over at Oruwariye's corner spot. A 2019 third-round pick from Boston College, Harris has 261 total defensive snaps. To date, Harris has 31 tackles (25 solo), 2 TFL, 2 PDs, and 1 interception.

Starting at right corner is former Ohio State Buckeye Jeff Okudah. Taken by the Lions with the 2020 #3 overall pick, the "can't miss" Okudah disappointed his first two seasons. This year, his play has been quite solid and he is now one of the league's better corners. Having played 569 (91%) of the defensive snaps, Okudah has 50 tackles (42 solo), 2 TFL, 5 PDs, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. He grades 63.3 for coverage, 75.7 in run support, and 67.1 overall, ranking #44 of 114 qualifying corners. The Lions slot corner is former Vikings first-round pick Mike Hughes. Drafted in 2019, Hughes has been an overall disappointment. He played three years in Minnesota and one year in Kansas City before signing with Detroit last spring on a one-year, $3.5 million dollar contract. In 261 (42%) of the snaps, Hughes has 26 tackles (18 solo)m with 1 TFL and 2 QB hits. His PFF grades are 46.2(coverage)/69.9(run support)/74.3(pass rush)/53.1(overall), ranking 87/114.

Elsewhere, corner Jerry Jacobs, promoted off the PUP list in October, has played 77 defensive snaps the past two games and is in the mix as a potential starter. On the season, the 2021 UDFA from Arkansas has 7 tackles (6 solo), 2 TFL, and 1 PD, scoring solid PFF grades of 68.9(coverage)/58.5(run support)/67.2(overall). AJ Parker, who had 113 defensive snaps, did not play the past two games and was waived November 11. On the season, he had 11 tackles, with an overall PFF grade of 39.9. Bobby Price, a 2021 UDFA from Norfolk State, was placed on season-ending IR last October 23. In 38 defensive snaps, Price had 4 tackles and a PFF overall grade of 44.2. Chase Lucas, a rookie seventh-round pick from Arizona State, has mostly played on special teams. He has taken 5 defensive snaps with a 29.8 overall grade. Saivon Smith, a 2019 UDFA signing from Alabama, is on the roster but has suited up just once, taking 2 defensive snaps.

Safeties

The Lions starting free safety, Deshon Elliott, was a 2018 sixth-round pick from Texas. Year-to-date, Elliott has 57 tackles (44 solo), 4 TFL, 2 PDs, 1 interception, 2 QB hits, and 1 fumble recovery. Elliott is a solid player who grades 63.4 in coverage, 65.0 in run support, 72.2 in pass rush, and 66.4 overall, ranking #39 out 85 qualifying safeties. Elliott left last week's Bears game with a concussion and has been limited in practice all week. Still in concussion protocol, Elliott is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday. The Lions lost starting strong safety Tracy Walker in the Week 3 loss to the Vikings. Prior to the injury, Walker, in 140 snaps, had 20 tackles (11 solo), 1 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 PD, and 1 QB hit. A solid player, the 2018 third-round pick from Louisiana-Lafayette has PFF scores of 75.4(coverage)/58.5(run support)/77.6(pass rush)/74.3(overall). Walker's primary replacement has been rookie Kerby Joseph, a third-round pick from Illinois. Over 366 defensive snaps, Joseph has 38 tackles (21 solo), 4 PDs, 2 interceptions, 1 QB hit, and 2 forced fumbles. He grades 73.3/41.7/57.9/67.0, ranking 38/85.

Strong safety Juju Hughes, a 2020 UDFA signing from Fresno State, has taken defensive 165 snaps. To date, Hughes has 18 tackles (14 solo), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, and 1 QB hit. Hughes shows PFF grades of 55.0/51.1/58.0/52.3.  Although healthy, Hughes has not taken a defensive snap the past two games, having lost his playing time to second-year player CJ Moore. (As I write this, Patti Traina is reporting that Hughes was just released by the Lions.) A 2021 UDFA from Ole Miss, Moore, who previously had 2 defensive snaps all year, logged 55 combined snaps the past 2 games. Moore, with 3 tackles and 1 PD, earns grades of 71.8(coverage)/28.3(run support)/58.1(overall).  Ifeatu Melifonwu, a 2021 third-round pick from Syracuse, has been hobbled with an ankle injury and has played just 5 defensive snaps all year.

Special Teams

Running back Justin Jackson is the primary kickoff returner. Jackson has 7 returns for 179 yards, an average of 25.6 yards/return, with a long of 39 yards. Recently released wide receiver Maurice Alexander returned 6 kickoffs for 146 yards, 24.2 yards/return, with a long of 47 yards. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond is the punt returner. Raymond has returned 10 punts for 79 yards, 7.9 yards/return, with a long of 13 yards and 9 fair catches. Raymond also has one kickoff return for 52 yards. Jack Fox is the Lions' punter. With 28 punts, Fox has a 48.7 gross and a 39.8 net, with 6 punts inside the 20 and 5 fair catches. The Lions punt coverage has been atrocious: over 17 returns, the Lions have allowed 229 return yards, an average of 13.5 yards/return. The Lions have run a carousel at place kicker. They started the season with Austin Seibert. Seibert was released three weeks in after missing two of five field goal attempts. Dominick Eberle came in for one game, missed two of four extra points, and was himself released. The Lions then brought in Michael Badgley, who had just been cut by the Bears. Badgley, still on the Lions' roster, has hit 5/5 on field goals, including 1/1 on 50+, and is 8/8 on extra points.