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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 Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

Safeties

A critical part of Matt Patricia’s defense, the Lions field a diverse and athletic group of safeties that have been an important part of the team’s early-season success. Not unlike other units, this is a group that will be looking to contribute more tide-turning plays as the season continues, as well as looking for a return to health of their leader.

Quandre Diggs remains the unquestioned luminary of the safety corps but was forced to leave last week’s loss with a hamstring injury. Diggs was off to a quiet start this year, accumulating just 16 tackles and forcing zero turnovers. In the playmaking department, he has given way to young colleague Tracy Walker, who has begun to develop the qualities that many believed he could prior to this year.

Walker picked off rookie Kyler Murray in the Lions’ season-opening tie with the Arizona Cardinals and is currently tied for 11th in the NFL with 36 total tackles. He’s constantly around the ball and continues to fill a variety of roles for Detroit.

Behind these two the Lions have brought rookie Will Harris along slowly, and have had to rely upon veteran Tavon Wilson possibly more than expected or desired; Wilson played 94% of the defensive snaps in last week’s loss after not playing more than 17% in any of the first three contests. Wilson remains a strong run defender but was one of the culprits in surrendering Patrick Mahomes‘ critical fourth-down scamper in last week’s defeat.

As with Slay, losing Diggs for any length of time would be a tough blow to an important unit. A prolonged absence would likely mean a huge spike in playing time for Harris, is he up to the task?

Grade: B

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