Detroit Lions: Will this veteran finally get a Pro Bowl nod?
As one of the more consistent defenders in the NFL the past three seasons, will this Detroit Lions’ veteran finally get his deserved recognition and a Pro Bowl nod in 2017?
The Detroit Lions were looking to solidify their defensive secondary back in 2013. So they used their selection early in the second round (36th overall) of that year’s draft to pick Mississippi State cornerback Darius Slay.
After a down rookie year, Slay has emerged as one of the league’s most consistent defenders. In the past three seasons, the 26-year old has a combined 164 tackles, 43 pass defends and six interceptions.
In fact, the Lions’ brass rewarded Slay last offseason with a massive four-year, $50.2 million contract extension. The veteran defensive back repaid Detroit by being one of the best players at his position in 2016, even earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording three tackles, two pass defends, one interception and one forced fumble in a win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week Five.
Despite the monster contract and occasional accolade, the one thing Slay is missing has been league-wide recognition. But according to an article that recently appeared on NFL.com, 2017 could be the season when the fifth-year corner finally receives a Pro Bowl nomination.
"“That brings us to Slay, the team’s most experienced cornerback at age 26,” wrote Marc Sessler on NFL.com recently. “After a stellar 2015 campaign, Slay lost three games to a nagging hamstring issue last autumn, but he still finished as a top-20 cornerback. The cover man called the Pro Bowl”pointless” after being snubbed two seasons ago, but he might not feel that way come January.”"
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If Darius Slay’s play continues to trend upwards in 2017, he should undoubtedly be in the running for a Pro Bowl nomination. But like many of his NFL peers, Slay would probably take a playoff victory and a deep postseason run over a Pro Bowl nod any day.