If there was one big takeaway from watching a month's worth of Detroit Lions training camp practices, it was how much more competitive their defense was. In fact, the defense beat the offense in a scrimmage-style practice that concluded training camp.
If the Lions are going to accomplish the lofty goals they've set for themselves to begin the season, they know they have to get more consistent production from a defense that finished last season 19th in total defense, 23rd in scoring and 27th against the pass.
In response to those numbers, the Lions completely revamped their secondary this offseason, adding veteran corners Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson and then drafting cornerbacks Terrion Arnold (first round) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (second). They also moved second-year defensive back Brian Branch from nickel cornerback to safety in a move to keep him on the field more and allow him to be an even bigger playmaker than he proved himself to be as a rookie.
Upfront along the defensive line they've added veterans DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport to pair with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson and crafty veteran Alim McNeill. Fourth-year defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike was really good throughout camp and was mentioned a couple times by head coach Dan Campbell unprompted on Monday as a player who could make a huge impact upfront. They are certainly much deeper upfront than they've been heading into previous regular seasons.
Left tackle Taylor Decker was asked about Detroit's defense on Monday, and he said the play of the defense in camp and the improvements they've made upfront really stood out to him.
"That defensive line is much improved, in my opinion," Decker said. "They are playing aggressive trying to make plays. Very disruptive front. I think they are playing with a lot of confidence. Definitely a much-improved group from my perspective."
Decker talked about Onwuzurike and the big strides he made this offseason. He also said Hutchinson was poised to take the next step after a Pro Bowl 2023, and mentioned Davenport as having the best bull rush of any edge player he's ever played against.
"I'm excited to watch them play," Decker said of the defensive front.
The Lions just feel like overall they have a much better marriage between the rush and cover aspects of defensive football and hope that leads to more sacks (41 last season; ranked 23rd) and takeaways (18; ranked 18th) too.
"We all know assets were contributed as far as getting some DB's and some D-linemen," linebacker Alex Anzalone said Monday of the improvements on the defensive side of the ball. "I feel like the best way I describe it is we are so much more squared away. Just top down from defensive coaching staff to the bottom of the defense. It's a good feeling going into the season."
View photos of the Detroit Lions' initial 53-man roster heading into the 2024 season.
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) celebrates after a sack during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 26, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Michael Niese (62) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (59) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) before an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 27, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 14, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 26, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 20, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 24, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 24, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit's new-look defense will certainly be tested this week by quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams' explosive offense. The Rams ranked seventh in total offense, eighth in scoring, 10th in passing and 11th running the football last season and return all of their core players on that side of the football.
"We're going to be tested," Campbell said of the Rams. "They're going to try to test us and so absolutely, we're going to need to be beefed up ready to go up front."
It's been a good offseason for the defense and they had a consistently good training camp, but now the real test begins starting this week.
