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Detroit Lions defender projected to earn first Pro Bowl bid in 2018

By Steven Mullenax

HONOLULU, HI - FEBRUARY 4: Detroit Lions defensive tackle Jerry Ball #93 of the NFC goes after Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas #34 of the AFC during the 1990 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 4, 1990 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC won 27-21. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - FEBRUARY 4: Detroit Lions defensive tackle Jerry Ball #93 of the NFC goes after Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas #34 of the AFC during the 1990 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 4, 1990 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC won 27-21. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions could have a first-time Pro Bowler lining up for them along the front seven of their defense in 2018 according to one NFL insider.

Last season, one Detroit Lions player organically earned a Pro Bowl nomination. And for fifth-year veteran cornerback Darius Slay, it was a long time coming. It was his first Pro Bowl invitation after years of quality play. The fact Slay recorded a league-leading eight interceptions finally earned him the recognition he so richly deserved as one of the NFL’s top defenders.

It could be argued that his running mate in Detroit’s secondary, veteran safety Glover Quin, also deserved a Pro Bowl nod. In his ninth NFL season, Quin recorded 84 total tackles, six pass defends and three interceptions in 2017. He also forced four fumbles, tied for the most in the league by a safety. Pro Football Focus ranked Quin as the fourth best safety in the NFL last season.

Despite Detroit’s talented secondary, one league insider believes the Lions’ next Pro Bowl defender will actually be second-year linebacker Jarrad Davis.

"“[Jarrad] Davis is a very explosive three-down player who racked up 96 tackles in 14 games as a rookie,” wrote Gil Brandt for NFL.com. “Under the new coaching staff in Detroit, Davis will excel as the linebacker in Matt Patricia’s New England-like system.”"

The Lions made Davis the 21st overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. The former Florida Gator led all rookies in tackles last season with 96 total. Davis also recorded 2.0 sacks, four pass defends, an interception and a forced fumble.

Detroit signed several veteran linebackers this offseason as they plan on using a more versatile defensive scheme. Matt Patricia’s transplanted defensive philosophy from the New England Patroits includes using the 3-4 formation, which requires four linebackers being on the field at one time.

Regardless of the signings, the 23-year old Davis still figures to be the starting middle linebacker in Detroit when the regular season kicks off. The former first rounder is considered the crown jewel of this Lions’ defensive unit and should benefit greatly due to the new scheme.

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So it seems a pretty safe bet Jarrad Davis will post better numbers than he did in his rookie season, making him a legit Pro Bowl nominee for the Detroit Lions if he can rack up well over 100+ tackles in Year Two.

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