The Detroit Lions’ secondary has dealt with a host of injuries to key starters over the last several weeks, which has opened the door for backups and practice squad players to get snaps and make a name for themselves.
Some of the players the Lions have recently brought at cornerback are Arthur Maulet, Kendall Fuller, Tre Flowers, and Nick Whiteside II. Fuller was surprisingly cut from the practice squad only after a week, but the other CBs have had a chance to play.
Among that group, Maulet has struggled mightily since making his Lions’ debut in Week 6 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard isn’t ready to throw in the towel on the veteran, which puzzles fans, especially when the team has a better option right now in Whiteside.
Lions Continue to Foolishly Lean on Arthur Maulet, Despite Having Nick Whiteside
According to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, Sheppard “emphatically threw his support behind” Maulet on Thursday. The Lions' defensive coordinator made it clear that he would put Maulet out on the field in the same situation as he did against Minnesota.
Sheppard even added that Maulet’s man coverage has been good; he just didn’t make the play on the final defensive drive.
On third and five in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy went after Maulet as he threw a great back shoulder pass to WR Jalen Nailor. Maulet, who was in coverage, did not turn his head around, which sealed the game for Minnesota.
Maulet hasn’t been stellar in coverage for Detroit in three games this season, producing a 75.0 completion percentage allowed on targets and 11.1 receiving yards per completion. Granted, the veteran has a 64.6 passer rating when targeted, but twice this season, Maulet’s rating has been north of 100.
With his struggles, Lions fans are wondering why they didn't see much of Whiteside in last week's game, as he was one of the standout stars in Week 7. During that matchup against Tampa Bay, Whiteside played 40 defensive snaps and put on a clinic, with three pass deflections and two total tackles. This past weekend, however, the former St. Louis Battlehawks CB only played one defensive snap against Minnesota, but saw the field for nine snaps on special teams.
Now, one could say that with Terrion Arnold back in the fold, it doesn’t make sense to put Whiteside in the slot when you have Maulet. However, if Maulet isn’t getting the job, which he clearly isn’t, what’s the harm of putting Amik Robertson in the line and throwing Whiteside on the outside?
The Lions should be looking to put the best guys on the field at all times. If that’s Whiteside and not Maulet, then so be it.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what the Lions do on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, who are banged up on offense. If Maulet struggles early, Sheppard has to make the switch and get Whiteside on the field.