How will the Detroit Lions change when Matt Patricia is in charge?

Secondary

At one cornerback spot, Darius Slay is as good as anyone in football. At the other, D.J. Hayden and Nevin Lawson are both gone for the time being. The three candidates still under contract would be: Quandre Diggs, and rookies, Jamal Agnew and Teez Tabor.

Really, Diggs has moved to strong safety, though. Diggs did play cornerback to start this year. There are also several guys dangling around the bottom of the roster who could compete, like Adairius Barnes.

At safety things are pretty clear. Glover Quin is the free safety, and Diggs looks to have locked up the strong side duties.

In the Pat’s schemes, however, you really need a versatile, safety/ linebacker hybrid or another strong safety. The Lions do have Miles Killebrew, who seemed primed for more responsibility but looked to have regressed during this season.

Defense summary

A’Shawn Robinson, Anthony Zettel, Jarrad Davis, Darius Slay, Glover Quin, Quandre Diggs, and possibly Mile Killebrew could all fit the multiple front concept. There are a couple other guys who could rotate in, too. Four starting spots, mostly up front, are up for grabs. Ansah and Whitehead could be returning to claim two of those.

It is also difficult to project how Tabor, Reeves-Maybin, Agnew, or other players may develop going into year two. Perhaps a couple starters will come from that group.