Last year, the Lions had a memorable season, but one area where they struggled was in pass defense. In 2023, quarterbacks like Justin Fields and Nick Mullens had big games against the Lions' secondary. The issue became glaringly evident in the NFC Championship Game when Brock Prudy led the 49ers to a remarkable comeback. Recognizing the problem, the Lions' front office and coaching staff took aggressive steps in the offseason to address it.
Brad Holmes made a bold move by trading the team's third-round pick for Carlton Davis, known as one of the league's top man coverage cornerbacks. Dan Campbell is thrilled to have Davis on the roster, praising his ability to take away his side of the field, which adds a new dimension to the defense. The addition of Davis not only improves the cornerback position but also has a ripple effect on the entire defense, especially the safety group.
Last year, the safeties were crucial in run support, but with better man coverage, they can now focus on their primary task on each play. Campbell emphasized the importance of playing man, likening it to running the football or stopping the run, core values of a good team. He believes that the ability to play man coverage gives defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn more flexibility in his play-calling.
The impact of the run game on the offense was evident, and if man coverage can have a similar effect on the defense, the Lions could become a complete football team. With these improvements, the Lions are poised to have a strong defense in the upcoming season, complementing their already potent offense.
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