Rookie Safety Miles Killebrew shines in Win over Jaguars
By Matt Urben
Rookie safety Miles Killebrew was a key part of Sunday’s win.
When Miles Killebrew was drafted in the 4th-round of the 2016 Draft, most fans were pleased with the athletic addition to Detroit’s secondary. After releasing James Ihedigbo and losing Abdul-Quddus to free agency, the Lions took a depth approach in finding free safety Glover Quin’s match in the secondary. They signed former Patriots backup Tavon Wilson and former Saints starter Rafael Bush in free agency. Bush and Wilson each had interceptions — Bush had a pick-six — in Detroit’s 26-19 win over the Jaguars. But I was most impressed with Killebrew’s consistent performance.
In the first quarter, Killebrew flew up and delivered a blow to stop Jags RB T.J. Yeldon on third down. Later in the quarter, Blake Bortles scrambled out of the pocket and Killebrew violently tackled him from behind. Bortles was visibly in pain after the play, which killed the Jaguars’ second drive of the game. After another third down tackle for a stop, he made his most impressive play of the day. In a critical moment in the 4th quarter, with the Lions trailing, Killebrew made an open-field tackle on 6-foot-5 tight end, Julius Thomas, just shy of the marker. The Lions scored the go-ahead TD on the following drive.
Killebrew isn’t the starting safety, but up until yesterday, I don’t think most were sure he could become that player. While he’s never lacked the big-hit ability, the mental part of the game is something all rookie defensive backs struggle with. He was no different. And it’s not as though I’m suggesting he’s arrived, especially with how good Bush and Wilson played yesterday, but his physical presence was felt by several of the Jaguars.
He finished Sunday’s game with four solo tackles (5 total). Killebrew was flying all around the ball, playing with the speed and viciousness that made the “Muscle Hammer” a youtube sensation. Rewatch if you missed it during all of that post-draft buzz.
The future is bright in the Lions’ secondary. Darius Slay is looking like the number-one corner he was extended to be. Nevin Lawson continues to improve and makes up for his lack of size with smart, physical play. Recently-acquired DB Johnthan Banks got some time and made two solo tackles. Quandre Diggs played well in the slot, finishing with 3 solo tackles. When the front seven gets pressure, as they did against Jacksonville, we got to see what kind of a group this can be on the back end.
With Wilson and Bush both playing well, there’s no rush to force Killebrew into more than he can handle. The fact that he can have this much of an impact in a game where the two players he’s competing for time against both got interceptions, says a lot about him. It also indicates that the Lions may know what they’re doing in both the short and long term. That’s a scary thought, I know.
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