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Report Card: Grading the Detroit Lions at the quarter mark

By Jeremy Friedrichs

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jamal Agnew #39 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his 100 yard kick off return for a touchdown with teammates Dee Virgin #30,Nick Bawden #46,C.J. Moore #49,Miles Killebrew #35,Logan Thomas #82 and Mike Ford #38 in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jamal Agnew #39 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his 100 yard kick off return for a touchdown with teammates Dee Virgin #30,Nick Bawden #46,C.J. Moore #49,Miles Killebrew #35,Logan Thomas #82 and Mike Ford #38 in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Another unit that remains a work in progress, the Lions have gotten an uneven performance from their linebacking group so far in 2019. Too many times the short middle area of the field has been open for first down conversions either on foot or through the air. That being said, they have made some important defensive plays through four weeks, and they are currently one of the team’s healthier position groups.

Devon Kennard continues to lead the way, playing up close to the line of scrimmage in an edge role as well as seeing a significant amount of snaps at the second level. He currently leads the Lions with 3.0 sacks and is on pace for a career-high mark in that category. He doesn’t generate an exceptional amount of pressure on opposing passers, but he generally has brought down the quarterback or disrupted them enough when he gets a hand on them this year.

Rookie Jahlani Tavai has had a quick introduction to the Lions’ defensive scheme, necessitated by Jarrad Davis‘ two-game injury-related absence. He hasn’t looked out of place, playing several different roles in the Lions’ front seven. He still has a long way to go to become a legitimate difference-maker for the Lions, but his forced fumble on his own goal line against the Chargers in Week 2 was pivotal, and the Lions would love some more big plays from him when they resume their campaign.

Davis remains an enigma in year three. After missing the first two weeks with an ankle injury, he has immediately resumed his typical heavy workload; he’s played all but 11 of the Lions’ defensive snaps over the last two games. The results have been … up and down to say the least.

He currently ranks as PFF’s lowest-rated linebacker among 79 qualified players. That’s not good. After finding a role as a blitzer last year, his pass-rushing role has been limited in his two contests. He is still a liability in coverage. Aside from a forced fumble against the Eagles, he has yet to make any other splash plays.

Is he a fit for this defense? How much of his erratic play can be attributed to his injury? Can he still turn it around after the bye? The Lions will undoubtedly need contributions from him if they want their defense to take the next step.

Christian Jones and Jalen Reeves-Maybin have been serviceable but uninspiring in part-time roles.  The Lions employ a healthy amount of nickel sets, often at the expense of a third linebacker. Expect this to be the norm going forward when the Lions face dangerous passing attacks, with Tavai and Davis getting the call. Can they make a bigger impact going forward?

Grade: C+

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