9. Nickel Corner
With Detroit playing a lot of two high safeties, the nickel position is especially important. Injuries to that position last year, combined with the poor play of Detroit linebackers led to the Lions setting the abysmal NFL record for opposing quarterback rating of 106.5. Quandre Diggs has held that position in the past but I’m interested in seeing DJ Hayden or the rookie Jamal Agnew play.
10. Multiple Tight End Packages
Eric Ebron has not seen the field much this summer. But with the Lions inking Darren Fells, re-signing Tim Wright and adding Michael Roberts via the draft, they now appear to have a deep and talented tight end group that will allow them to utilize multiple players in offensive packages. Where in years past, they did not have the available talent.
Extra Credit
Kenny Golladay. He is this year’s Media Darling. With his size and length, Detroit’s third round draft pick rookie will give an opportunity to field a lot of very big bodies when used in conjunction with those two packages. Imagine a scenario where the Lions line up three players between 6-feet-4 inches tall and 6-feet-7 inches tall? That will make it very difficult on opposing defenses.
Next: Ranking the 5 best Lions draft classes of the past 30 years
There are many other areas that make it fun and exciting to watch the Detroit Lions in preseason football. Right now, there are 93 men on the roster. In a few short weeks, 40 players will be looking for a job. Instead of playing professional football, they may end up working in a grocery store or as an auto mechanic. So I expect to see the best of they have on the field.