Detroit Lions: Let’s meet the best starting D-Line in the NFC North
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions defense had been a force a few years back, last year the team struggled against the run early on until they made a no-brainer deal for the best nose tackle in football. The Lions finished tenth in the league vs. the run allowing 110 yards per game despite the slow start. The Lions also finished tenth in total team defense allowing just 335 yards per game. In this article, we take a look at the best D-line in the NFC North.
First, we look at the leader of the group; Damon Harrison made his way to the Detroit Lions after the New York Giants who seemingly have no idea what they are doing; trading him for merely a 5th round pick in this past NFL draft. How on earth does a team move a top interior tackle that is under contract for a couple more seasons for a fifth-round pick? An absolute steal for General Manager Bob Quinn.
Harrison originally signed with the New York Jets after he went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft; see teams, scouts, General Managers, head coaches all get it wrong many times. How does a player of this caliber go undrafted?
After four years with the Jets where he thrived inside as a premier run stopper, he signed a lucrative five-year deal with the New York Giants. The deal came in 2016, worth 46.25 million with 24-million guaranteed.
Harrison joined the Lions after the Lions bye week and prior to the Giants which allowed him to become the first defensive lineman ever to play 17 games in a season. He was inserted into the Lions lineup and made an immediate impact in the run game. He has the ability to control the inside.
He’s exceptionally disruptive inside, which also frees’ up the linebacking group. Jarrad Davis led the team with 73 tackles last season. It’s a bit low for a middle linebacker, but I expect with the addition of Trey Flowers on the defensive front that number will rise. Often running backs will buy their O-line gifts for blocking for them, the Lions LB’s should consider something similar for this D-Line.
I consider Harrison the best run stuffer in the league; he’s the anchor on this D-line! I’m ecstatic to see this group work together this season. I believe they have the potential to do substantial damage; they will be able to create their own pressure working as a four-person unit. This won’t just help the linebackers; it will help the secondary, not forcing the group to have to cover for an extended amount of time.