The Detroit Lions went to work revamping their defense this offseason adding to the defensive line and completely remaking the cornerback room. With young players like Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and Brian Branch now coming into their prime, along with the added talent level, it's a unit the Lions expect to be much better in 2024.
But just how much better?
It's been noticeable all training camp how improved that side of the ball has been. There's been more pressure on the quarterbacks, more footballs hitting the ground in the passing game, and fewer open lanes to run through.
View photos from the Detroit Lions practice on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
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 defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) 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) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97), Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
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 running back David Montgomery (5) 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) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) 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), Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
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 quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) 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) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
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 wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19), Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 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 wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
In the final open practice Wednesday the defense beat the offense, 32-27, in a scrimmage between the first-team offense and first-team defense.
"I feel like everything is just very squared away," linebacker and defensive leader Alex Anzalone told detroitlions.com after practice. "That's how I describe it. The D-line is squared away. The linebackers are squared away. Defensive backs are mostly squared away. Obviously, we have to get some reps with the guys who've been hurt (i.e. DJ Reader) but it just feels like everything is squared away overall."
Branch's move from nickel cornerback to safety has given him a little bit different perspective of the defense and he's been really impressed with what he's seeing in front of him right now, especially from the front seven.
"The sky is the limit. It's scary the potential our defense can be," Branch said after practice. "We just have to keep putting in the work."
Branch said the front seven has the chance to be one of the best units in the league and the secondary can take huge leaps after ranking 27th in pass defense last season.
It's certainly been noticeable since the start of training camp that there's a different energy and increased swagger from that side of the football, and those players on defense are excited to show just how good they can be starting with the home opener on Sept. 8.
SEWELL AND REYNOLDS INJURED
All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell left practice Wednesday with what the team described as a left foot injury. Sewell was down on the field for several minutes being looked at by trainers before walking off the field under his own power. After getting looked at on the sideline, Sewell was escorted inside, walking slowly and with a noticeable limp.
Running back Craig Reynolds also limped off the field Wednesday with what the team said was a lower body injury.
TOUGH DECISIONS AHEAD
Where this Lions roster was at when GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell took over in 2021 to where it is now heading into their fourth season together is really night and day. It's a credit to Holmes and his staff for being able to identify talent and to Campbell and his staff for developing it.
When a roster is good enough to have Super Bowl aspirations, which the Lions do, it also means there are going to be some tough decisions that have to be made next week trying to trim the roster down from 90 to an initial 53.
"We're going to have to let go of some good players, ultimately, I think that can play in this league at some point here in different positions, and that's a hard thing to do," Campbell said. "But it also shows where our roster is at to this point, it's grown a ton. Brad (Holmes) has done a hell of a job."
The team has to get the roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Aug. 27. They can start forming their 16-man practice squad the following day from players who clear waivers.
