The Detroit Lions player that may make the biggest strides this season may be the one they took the most flack for selecting in last year’s draft.
Now that the Detroit Lions have adjourned until the start of training camp, many members of the media and fans alike are making predictions of who will be the Lions break-out player this fall.
Some of the names are easy figure out.
Jarrad Davis had an outstanding rookie campaign despite his struggles in pass coverage. We all need to remember that Davis had a lot on his plate. He was given the keys to the defense as an inexperienced rookie. In other words he was being asked to make defensive calls to adjust to opposing offenses while still learning the defense.
Yet he became a heat-seeking missile when opposing running back where handed the ball. Davis ranged from sideline to sideline tracking down ball-carriers and proved his worth against the run.
The fact that he struggled against veteran receivers isn’t the most alarming thing to have ever happened to a player. Many corner backs that were considered ‘can’t miss’ prospects struggled in coverage early in their careers and that was their main duty on defense.
It’s pretty easy to see how a very focused and determined player with plenty of talent like Davis will turn things around very quickly. Especially under a coach like Matt Patricia who still admits that linebackers are his favorite position to coach and they are the key to running his new multiple defense he is installing here in Detroit.
Patricia will give Davis all the help he needs to blossom into an outstanding player.
Then there is Kenny Golladay. The only real knock against him was that he missed time due to injury last season. The kid has size, is a hard worker and has shown flashes of being able to dominate opposing secondaries. Needless to say he will have plenty of opportunities to take a big step forward this coming season.