The five established Detroit Lions who need to impress in training camp

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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 29: Strong safety Tavon Wilson #32 of the Detroit Lions tackles nose tackle Javon Hargrave #79 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Ford Field on October 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The starting strong safety

Tavon Wilson Had a bad year in 2017. Both the Bleacher Report 1000 and Pro Football Focus agree that he was not playing at a level that should guarantee a spot on the field. He was the number 34 strong safety according to BR, and the number 79 overall safety according to PFF.

The other players on the roster compound Wilson’s problem. Glover Quinn can play both safety positions, so if a good free safety option shows up in training camp, Wilson could get bumped to the bench. He is competing with free safeties as much as he is competing with other strong safety candidates.

Quandre Diggs stepped in and looked like an impact safety to close out 2017. Wilson ended the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Diggs stepped into a starting safety role from his traditional slot corner spot.

Diggs had zero career interceptions going into week fourteen of the 2017 season. He ended 2017 with three career interceptions. Diggs has always hit like a mack truck, and he showed an ability to find the ball in deep center field coverage.

Tracey Walker complicates the safety group significantly. We are not sure what he will be doing for the Lions, but we are sure that the third round pick will be on the 53 man roster. He may not play a lot in 2018, but he definitely threatens Wilson’s 2019 status.

If Wilson ends up on the bench, he will not see the second year of his deal. The Lions would save $3 million by moving on from him in 2019. He needs to have a good preseason and keep his starting job or lose $3 million.

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