Grading the Detroit Lions defensive starters.

DEANDRE LEVY

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) is tackled by Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Health:  Levy is another guy that stays healthy all the time (knock on that wood again) This bodes well for the Lions as Levy is a leader of men out there.

Grade: 5

Big Play: While Levy’s interceptions were down this year, everything else was up. Levy made plays all year-long and notched career highs in tackles and sacks. Levy is like a ninja out there. He just seems to pop up at all the right times.

Grade: 4

Dependability: Jim Caldwell once said of Levy: “If you want to know where Levy is just look for the ball.” What he means by that is Levy makes plays all day  long. He follows the ball and is always there to make a crucial stop or bat down a pass. The Lions depend on Levy and he makes it easy for the organization and it’s fans to sleep at night.

Grade: 5

Smart Play: it’s very rare that Levy makes a dumb mistake or is flagged. Levy appears to be a student of the game. He has managed to take himself from just another linebacker to one of the best in the league. It’s all studying game film and learning from mistakes. Levy still did have those rare occasions where he committed a back-breaking penalty. Most notably in the wildcard game against the Cowboys when he was called for holding on the most crucial 4th down of the year.

Grade:4

Impact: Snub!!!!!! Let’s take the gloves off here and put on our adult pants. Let’s start making some proclamations around here people. DeAndre Levy is elite. There I said it, now you try. Levy was a beast this year and I’m not afraid to let the fan boy out of the cage on this one. Levy finished 2nd in the NFL in tackles, graded out in the top 5 in Pro Football Focus linebacker grades, and has a whole slew of fans in the NFL alone

Every week there is a new NFL player talking about Levy’s Pro Bowl snub. Levy’s impact on the team is easy to understand. He has quickly become one of the centerpieces to this defense and just think, he’s only 27.

Grade: 5

Overall Grade: 23