August 6, 2022

Detroit Lions Week 1 Starting Defense Projection: Family Fest Edition

Lions News Reports

Training camp is well underway and on Saturday, the Detroit Lions will hold their Family Fest at Ford Field, which will include a scrimmage. So, with that in mind, I figured I would toss out my latest projections for the offense and defense.

If the Lions want to take a big leap in 2022, their defense is going to have to play much better than it did a season ago when they had the No. 28 DVOA ranking.

Though they really did not do much in free agency to help the cause, the Lions did use six of their eight picks in the 2022 NFL Draft to improve the defensive side of the ball.

Earlier in the offseason, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that believes the biggest improvement for a player comes from Year 1 to Year 2, which means he expects some big improvement from second-year players such as Alim McNeill, Derrick Barnes, and even Levi Onwuzurike.

“I’ve said this before, most guys continue to get better and grow throughout the years, but I think it’s hard to make the big of a jump after Year 2,” Campbell said. “I believe Year 1 to Year 2 is where you make that biggest jump.

“That’s what we anticipate out of our guys. That’s why we got them here, so we can continue to develop them so they can take that big next step.”

Do the Lions have a team to win within 2022?

Detroit Lions Week 1 Starting Defense Projection: Family Fest Edition

With CB Jeff Okudah returning from injury, and some important rookies being added to the mix, including the No. 2 overall pick, Aidan Hutchinson, and S Kerby Joseph, I believe the Lions’ defense could end up being a Top 20 or so unit in 2022.

That being said, here is what I believe the Lions starting defense will look like in Week 1 of the 2022 regular season.

EDGE – Aidan Hutchinson

EDGE – Charles Harris

DL – Alim McNeil

DL – Michael Brockers

LB – Alex Anzalone

LB – Derrick Barnes

CB – Jeff Okudah

CB – Amani Oruwariye

CB – A.J. Parker

S – Tracy Walker

S – DeShon Elliott

Nation, what do you think about the Detroit Lions’ defense heading into the 2022 season? What changes would you make to the projection listed above?

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W.G. Brady is a Detroit-based journalist who has been covering the Detroit sports scene for Detroit Sports Nation for several years. He is in his early 30s and has a wealth of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, W.G. has established himself as a respected and knowledgeable journalist known for his in-depth coverage of the teams and athletes in Detroit. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for sports, W.G. has become a go-to source for fans and readers looking for the latest news and analysis on the Detroit sports scene. He has a good reputation in the sports community and is respected for his unbiased coverage of sports events. W.G. is known for his ability to uncover hidden stories and provide unique perspectives on the teams and athletes he covers. He has a good understanding of the city of Detroit and its sports culture, which he uses to inform his reporting and analysis. He continues to be a respected journalist in the Detroit sports industry.