Detroit Lions: Will this second-year player breakout in 2018?
Will this second-year defender live up to his high draft selection and prove the Detroit Lions right with a breakout performance in 2018?
At this time last year, Florida cornerback Teez Tabor was rumored to be a possible first round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. But following a disastrous showing at both the Scouting Combine and at his pro day, Tabor tumbled down the draft all the way to the 53rd overall selection, in the second round. The rookie cornerback was drafted, of course, by the Detroit Lions.
The main reason Tabor dropped so far in the draft was due to his mediocre times in the 40-yard dash. His best time at the NFL Scouting Combine was 4.62-seconds. And he was rumored to have run a 4.75 during his pro day workout. Despite his lack of blazing speed, the Lions’ believed Tabor possessed other positive traits that could still make him a very effective cornerback in the NFL.
After all, Tabor did record seven interceptions and 20 pass defends during his final two seasons at Florida. Plus, the Lions aren’t looking for a shutdown corner. They already have one in Pro Bowler Darius Slay. Detroit needs someone to play opposite of Slay, similar to how Tabor played opposite of now Tampa Buccaneers corner Vernon Hargreaves during his time with the Gators.
But in his first season, the Lions vowed to take things slow with Tabor. They wanted to allow the young man time to develop. And they did just that in 2017. Tabor played in just three of the Lions first nine games of the season. And in those three outings, he had a combined 14 defensive snaps.
Detroit did start trusting the rookie more as the season wore on. Tabor went on to play in a total of 10 games during his initial pro campaign, seeing increased snaps topping out at 44 plays a contest in Weeks 15 and 16. Tabor ended his first year in Detroit recording 14 total tackles.
Although, as a second round selection, Tabor’s numbers were disappointing, one Lions’ insider believes the 22-year old could be in store for a breakout season in Detroit.
"” … I’ll go with Teez Tabor,” responded ESPN’s Michael Rothstein when asked about a possible breakout player. “Thought he really started to make strides toward the end of the season and unless Detroit makes an unexpected cornerback splash in free agency, Tabor is going to have a real chance at winning a starting role opposite Darius Slay.”"
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If Teez Tabor is able to win the starting role opposite Darius Slay this offseason, it will be a giant win for general manager Bob Quinn and this Detroit Lions’ front office which took a big risk in order to catch the falling star last year.