Detroit Lions: What will Tracy Walker’s role be in 2018?

Detroit Lions rookie safety Tracy Walker should have an easy transition in 2018. But Walker will have a huge role in 2019 and beyond.

The Detroit Lions question marks on defense are all over the front seven. How the defensive line and linebackers will fair this season is a huge question for the team. The secondary, however, is by far the best unit on the defensive side of the ball.

General manager Bob Quinn made three major moves this offseason on behalf of the secondary.

First, he re-signed safety Tavon Wilson through 2019.

Second, he signed cornerback DeShawn Shead away from the Seattle Seahawks for a one-year deal.

Finally, he picked safety Tracy Walker in the third round of this year’s draft.

This last move was somewhat questionable. Walker comes from a small school (Louisiana-Lafayette), and so few fans probably ever saw him play. But this move is all about this team’s future.

Most NFL teams keep 10 defensive backs on the final 53-man roster.

Let’s take a look at who has the best chance of making the roster:

• Cornerbacks (4)
  • Darius Slay, Teez Tabor, Jamal Agnew, Charles Washington
• Safeties (4)
  • Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, Miles Killebrew, Tracy Walker
  • Defensive Backs (2)
    • DeShawn Shead, Quandre Diggs
      • These two have the particular flexibility of helping at both corner and safety.