Five Detroit Lions who are poised for a breakout season

Darius Slay

Aug 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA;Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) is announced before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

After a typical up and down rookie season, the Mississippi product finally made good on his outstanding abilities in year two. Credit Slay’s improvement to the work he put into the offseason (which included two-a-day’s with Rod Woodson), a new scheme that allowed for more man-coverage press, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s extensive work with defensive backs.

Rashean Mathis played a big role in Slay’s development too and will look to do the same with the incoming rookie corners who were drafted last month.

With another year in the same defensive system and another offseason of work like the last, the expectation is that Slay makes another big jump in play in year three.

Next: Kyle Van Noy