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

By James F. Puzzuoli

COLLEGE STATION, TX - SEPTEMBER 16: Tracy Walker #23 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns breaks up pass intended for Christian Kirk #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies in the first quarter at Kyle Field on September 16, 2017 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX - SEPTEMBER 16: Tracy Walker #23 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns breaks up pass intended for Christian Kirk #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies in the first quarter at Kyle Field on September 16, 2017 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Brett Hundley #7 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball against Glover Quin #27 and Quandre Diggs #28 during the first half at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Brett Hundley #7 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball against Glover Quin #27 and Quandre Diggs #28 during the first half at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

THE SAFETIES

Safety Glover Quin has been great for the Detroit Lions. I would not be surprised if he played a year or two more with Detroit beyond his current contract (through 2019). He has been that good and that durable.

Quin will have to mentor (and maybe even look over his shoulder at) the aforementioned rookie Tracy Walker. For the Detroit Lions to draft Walker in the third round, they clearly see him as a future starter.

Fortunately for Walker, he does not have to start from day one. His rookie season can be spent on special teams and certain defensive packages.

Defensive back Quandre Diggs can play corner and safety, so his versatility will be useful to the Lions. Diggs will battle safety Tavon Wilson for the free safety spot. Either way, Detroit has a solid player at the position.

Then there is safety Miles Killebrew. His second year was not the leap most fans were hoping to see. In Killebrew’s rookie campaign (2016), he made some nice plays. There just wasn’t enough of that in year two.

As of now, Killebrew has shown that he adds depth to the roster, but not shown enough to be a starter. If he plays well this season, that certainly could change.

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DOWN THE LINE

Overall, the Detroit Lions are in good shape in terms of their secondary. This year is going to be huge for Teez Tabor and Tracy Walker. They are both high picks with high expectations.

Tabor and Walker are fortunate enough to have time to learn, but the year will go by fast. Both of them need to make significant jumps in 2018.

The secondary demonstrates Bob Quinn’s plan for this roster: solid at the starting positions, versatile players for depth, and young talent that has time to develop.

As far as plans go, it is hard to argue with the logic of thinking ahead and developing talent. It may not all come to fruition, but the plan seems sound… for now.

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