The Detroit Lions were able to pull off a season-altering trade for an All-Pro defensive tackle Wednesday, solidifying their defensive line against the run.
It’s no secret the Detroit Lions have been horrible against the run this year. Motown currently ranks 30th in the NFL in run defense, allowing an average of 139.3 rushing yards per contest to opposing offenses so far this season.
In their opening matchup against the New York Jets, the Big Apple was able to post 169 rushing yards. The next game, the San Francisco 49ers put up a whopping 190 yards on the ground. And in Week Four, against the Dallas Cowboys, running back Ezekiel Elliott racked up 152 rushing yards against the Detroit defense on 25 carries.
What the Lions really lacked was the presence of a true space-eater along the interior of their defensive line. According to several reports Wednesday morning, that’s no longer going to be an issue.
It now being reported that the Lions have agreed to a trade the New York Giants that will send All-Pro defensive tackle Damon Harrison, better known as “Snacks” Harrison, to the Motor City in exchange for a 2019 fifth round selection.
The 29-year old Harrison is a seven-year veteran who spent the first four seasons of his career with the New York Jets. Joining the Giants in 2016 as a free agent, Snacks would sign a five-year, $46.25 million deal. He’s currently under contract through 2020.
Harrison would go on to post the best season of his career in 2016, racking up 86 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. He would go on to be named to the All-Pro team that year.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Giants just gave away their top defensive player for a fifth-round pick. PFF gives Harrison an overall grade of 89.9, 11.7 points higher than the next highest New York defender, safety Landon Collins. Against the run, the 6-foot-3, 355 pounder is graded even higher at 91.5. That’s the fourth-best grade for an interior lineman in the NFL.
The Detroit Lions’ trade for Damon “Snacks” Harrison is a total game-changer. With a true difference-maker along the interior of the defensive line stuffing the run, expect the Motor City’s defense to be much improved in the second half of the season.
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