If the Detroit Lions want to accomplish the difficult task of winning a Super Bowl following a season in which they made it to the NFC Championship Game, they're going to need more from their defense.
One of the bright spots for the Lions during training camp has been the work of the defensive line, which is turning heads on a daily basis, even without free-agent addition D.J. Reader, who is working his way back from a significant injury.
Edge rusher Marcus Davenport has been impressive thus far, and Levi Onwuzurike has routinely been a standout throughout the offseason as he prepares for a make-or-break campaign in the final year of his rookie contract.
When you include Reader, Aidan Hutchinson and 2023 breakout player Alim McNeill, things are looking very promising upfront for Detroit.
"Davenport has been a really good addition so far and the emergence of fourth-year player Levi Onwuzurike, who is finally healthy, could be a huge addition for a defensive line that also features one of the best young defensive tackles in the league in Alim McNeill," Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com writes. "It's been evident from the outside looking in the front has been much more disruptive so far in camp. There's been a ton more pressure on quarterback Jared Goff, the run game has been limited, and the front has just been consistently more disruptive all the way around."
But don't just take Twentyman's word for it. Head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have also taken notice.
"Man, I can feel the defense," head coach Dan Campbell said. "I feel our front. You can feel the front is being disruptive. Man, we have violent separation. The backers and playing off of them, downhill, fast, all of them."
Ben Johnson asked what he's seen from his run game the first two padded practices: Shoot, I think our d-line is going to be pretty good. We've had more runs stuffed than I can remember.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network (@Justin_Rogers) August 1, 2024
While the players themselves obviously deserve credit, props also need to be given to new defensive line coach Terrell Williams, who has a history of success coaching the position group from his days with the Tennessee Titans.
During his time in Nashville, Williams oversaw a defensive line that aided in the team sporting an elite run defense multiple times.
He also played a role in the development of star interior defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, and former undrafted free agent Teair Tart became a starter and impact run defender on his watch.
Unfortunately, things haven't gone completely smoothly for Detroit upfront, as the team will now be without defensive lineman John Cominsky for quite awhile after he reportedly suffered a torn MCL that could keep him out until the playoffs.
Even still, the Lions appear to have enough to absorb that hit to their depth and the arrow is definitely pointing up for the defensive line.
