Detroit Lions: No one should overlook Desmond Trufant

The revamped secondary has talent

This could be a break-out year for Tracy Walker. The former third-round pick has improved each of his first two seasons in the league and could very well be ready to start making some headlines around the NFL.

Two of the new additions, safety Duron Harmon and rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah will mean a lot to the secondary for two different reasons.

The Lions acquired Harmon from the Patriots, big surprise, but his leadership and ability to be in the right place at the right time will make him the undisputed leader of the secondary. A smart veteran who understands why and how New England was winning championships and knows exactly how important having everyone in the room pulling in the same direction is.

Harmon was an underrated acquisition but he will be the glue that holds together the secondary.

Which will be very important while they break-in Okudah. The former Buckeye has all the talent, drive, and work ethic to be one of the great players in the league. However, he is still a rookie and despite how much he has asked question after question and worked his tail off, there is still no substitute for experience.

Okudah is studious and respectful, but on the field, he is a confident predator. But that confidence will be tested by NFL receivers.

Okudah will win some battles, but he will also learn a thing or two as the best receivers in the world teach him lessons each week. Nothing is set in stone, but it seems hard to imagine that Okudah won’t blossom into a very good player.

But mentoring by Harmon will help Okudah as he adjusts to life in the NFL fast-lane where almost every receiver can light up a greenhorn.

The final piece of that revamped secondary will also be important to Okudah’s growth and to the overall success of the secondary.