Detroit Lions: 4 players who need to bounce back next game

Teez Tabor

Going into OTAs and minicamp, it looked like Tabor took the step forward and hold down one of outside corner spots. Training camp rolled around and it was DeShawn Shead who was starting opposite of Darius Slay. Then, it was Nevin Lawson. Even though, he was getting regulated to second/third team duties he was having a strong camp. When joint practices started that’s when it started going downhill for Tabor.

The biggest knock against Tabor is his speed and it was evident during practice and in the game. Time and time again he was getting outran by receivers leading to him getting burned quite a few times. Tabor has the size and length you want in a cornerback, but right now his speed his hindering his progress. With Lawson looking better and better each day, Tabor is falling behind the curve and in the depth charts.

As a former second-round pick, there were high expectations for Tabor taking a leap in his sophomore season. Cornerback is one of the harder positions to master in the NFL so don’t completely give up on Tabor just yet. With a red-shirt rookie season and a new defensive scheme to learn, it will take time for him to make any significant impact. It is not time to call him a bust, but he needs to make strides in the next few preseason games to show some progress.