Detroit Lions: Young defender set to have breakout season

The Detroit Lions need to add more playmakers to their revamped defense. But could their biggest boost come from a player already on the roster?

Going into the 2018 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions had several needs to fill. On defense, the biggest void figured to be along their defensive line. With the exodus of All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, the injury history of pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah, and the multiple scheme of new head coach Matt Patricia; defensive line figured to be addressed early in the draft.

Instead, Detroit went offensive with their first two picks. In fact, they even used their fourth rounder to trade up eight spots in order to select Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson in the second. Arkansas center Frank Ragnow was the Lions’ top selection, 20th overall.

In the third round, the Lions did address their defense. But it wasn’t in the way most expected. Detroit made Tracy Walker, a safety from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, their selection with the 82nd overall pick.

It seemed like an odd choice at the time considering the Lions needs in other areas of their defense and the fact Detroit already had veteran stalwart Glover Quin and ascending Quandre Diggs manning their safety positions.

But Walker impressed in limited snaps his rookie season, and now appears to be the likely successor of the 33-year old Quin, who is contemplating retirement.

Walker posted 21 tackles, two pass defends and an interception in limited action during his first year. But at times last season, the football analytics website Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded the rookie as the Lions’ top defender. For the year, PFF gave Walker the fourth highest defensive grade on the team with an overall of 89.8, registering high marks for tackling, run defense and coverage.

Here’s what Justin Rogers of The Detroit News had to say about Walker’s potential to breakout in 2019 replying to a recent mailbag question.

"” … the guy I have the highest expectations for next season, from the perspective of year-to-year improvement, is safety Tracy Walker. He really showed some promise in his tightly controlled playing time as a rookie, and there should be a big opportunity for increased reps next season.”"

The Detroit Lions might have found themselves yet another third round gem in safety Tracy Walker. And in his second season, the talented young defender could very well overtake Glover Quin for the starting role. With more opportunities, this kid could really shine.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.