4. DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson noted being motivated by the Jaguars passing on him in the draft in favor of Walker, and he is coming off winning Defensive Rookie of the Month for November. So this is a showcase opportunity for him, with Walker and the team that passed on him on the opposite sideline.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been well lately (eight touchdowns and two interceptions with 70.1 completion rate over his last six games; four games with a passer rating north of 100 over that span, including three in a row). But he has been sacked nine times over the last two games, and while Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor have been solid in pass protection they are not stud offensive tackles.
Putting pressure on Lawrence will be critical for the Lions’ defense on Sunday. That effort starts with Hutchinson.
3. LB Alex Anzalone
Be it covering backs out of the backfield (Travis Etienne may play, but JaMycal Hasty is also a receiving threat), matching up against Jaguars tight end Evan Engram in the passing game or being a centerpiece of the Lions’ effort to stop Jacksonville’s ground game that averages 4.9 yards per attempt, Anzalone will have to be on top of his game on Sunday.
If Anzalone can’t cover people or finish tackles strongly, the Lions’ defense will be behind the eight-ball all day. He will probably have a bullseye on him as a player the Jaguars think they can attack effectively.