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The Detroit Lions defensive line is receiving a Hand

By Justin Ochsner

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers is pressured by Da'Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers is pressured by Da'Shawn Hand #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions defensive line lost a veteran presence this offseason and could really use a ‘Hand’ to be effective going into 2018.

With former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata heading to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, the team could surely use a hand in replacing the veteran presence. That’s what this team hopes they’ve found in rookie defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand out of Alabama.

This isn’t a one-for-one trade-off as Hand has been talked about as playing defensive end. But with the multiple looks brought to the defense by new head coach Matt Patricia, Hand can certainly help in this non-traditional 4-3 defense.

Hand also has some familiarity with the Detroit Lions coaching staff. New defensive line coach Bo Davis spent time coaching at Alabama in 2014-15, including Hand’s freshmen year. Coincidentally, Lions defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson was also at Alabama at that time. It’s a reunion in Honolulu Blue for these three former members of the Crimson Tide.

Back to Hand and his opportunities on this defense, it’s all about living up to his potential as a top-ranked recruit and exceptional athlete.

"“Hand comes to Detroit knowing defensive line coach Bo Davis from their time in Alabama together,” reports Tim Twentyman via the Detroit Lions website. ” … [he] has the ability to play anywhere from the seven technique to nose tackle, which gives the Lions a lot of options with him.”"

A versatile player. That sounds strikingly familiar for draft picks under Lions general manager Bob Quinn. Combined with the scheme of the coaching staff, it sounds even more like a recipe for success. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

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It’s the offseason. Hand is a rookie. New coaches and new players are still getting acquainted with each other and with playing at the highest level of the sport. Still, all signs are pointing in a positive direction for this new addition to the defensive line. The Lions are going to need him to make some plays this season.

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