Detroit Lions: 3 defenders poised to bounce back in 2021
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions are coming off of a historically poor season, but suddenly the future looks bright with a new regime in place.
Warning. Don’t drink too much of the offseason kool-aid. The offseason is dangerous; it’s a time when players, coaches, and organizations are over-hyped. Everyone looks ‘elite’ in training camp. Don’t forget; the Detroit Lions are only entering year one of what is expected to be an extensive rebuild. But I will add, things do have a different feel this summer than years past.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is the polar opposite of former head coach Matt Patricia, which is a good thing. General manager Brad Holmes has made calculated roster decisions and wise draft choices since accepting the job. Holmes did not reach while making the no. 7 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, he simply took the best player available in offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
The Detroit Lions brass has also surrounded head coach Dan Campbell with an elite-level coordinator in Anthony Lynn. He has plenty of experience as an NFL head and assistant coach. They’ve provided first-time GM Holmes with a savvy, experienced former NFL GM in John Dorsey. For the first time in a long time, it seems that the Detroit Lions finally have much-needed layers in place before any football decision is made, whether it’s in free agency or the draft.
Campbell brings an extra level of enthusiasm to the organization, and I do expect his rah-rah mentality to positively rub off on the Lions players.
That being said, here are three defenders that will bounce back in 2021 for the Detroit Lions.
Again, the organization allowed a franchise-worst 6,716 total yards in 2020, along with an unbelievable 519 points.
Needless to say, newly appointed defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has his work cut out for him in his first year calling a defense.