Detroit Lions defense aims to lead NFL in 2024

The Detroit Lions believe a team weakness in 2023 can become a strength in 2024.

Members of the Lions' defense and coaching staff say the group can become a top unit despite ranking near the bottom of the NFL in yards and points allowed in 2023.

"We could very well be a top-10 defense, but we just have to come out here and do the right things every day," second-year middle linebacker Jack Campbell said. "But why not be the best defense in the NFL if we all want to get where we want to get? That's been the focus right now, and I just feel like that's the mentality that's been adopted by everyone in the locker room."

The Lions ranked 27th in yards allowed per play (5.5) and 23rd in points allowed (23.2 per game) last season. Detroit's offense offset the struggles with one of the most explosive and efficient performances in the league on the way to a 12-5 regular-season record and the franchise's first NFC championship game appearance in more than three decades.

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The Lions were aggressive in retooling their defense in the offseason. The team added defensive tackle D.J. Reader, defensive ends Marcus Davenport and Mathieu Betts, and defensive backs Carlton Davis III, Amik Robertson, Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

All of the additions were brought in for their skills and their mindset, head coach Dan Campbell said, with a history of playing the type of aggressive defense the Lions are seeking.

"There's just an attitude that comes with playing defense and every good defense you got to have that," Dan Campbell said. "You got to have something and you have to feel that."

Jack Campbell said the entire defense has adopted the goal of becoming one of the top defensive units in the NFL. The counting stats, such as tackles for Campbell, are taking a backseat to playing for team results and success.

"We are just excited to go and let it rip," said Campbell, who has played at middle linebacker in practices. "I feel like it's not only the mentality that I adopted but everyone (is like), 'Let it rip. Mistakes are gonna happen and just play fast.' "

One key stat to improve: turnovers. The Lions had an even turnover differential, with 23 giveaways and 23 turnovers forced in 2023. They'd like to create more havoc and get the offense the ball more often.

"We want to get the ball back to our offense," Jack Campbell said. "That's been a focus right now as well."

Though the pads haven't come on yet, the difference is already starting to present itself to the coaching staff.

"I feel our defense, you know, the confidence is up," Dan Campbell said. "We know what we can become."

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Coaching up the new guys

The veteran members of the defense have been working to integrate the new additions on the line and in the secondary, getting them caught up on schemes, communication styles and how to carry themselves within the Lions' team culture.

"The older guys are gonna harp on the little things and everybody got to run to the football around here," said Rakestraw, the Lions' 2024 second-round pick, about his first impression of NFL practice. "Everybody hold each other accountable. The little things that make a great defense is what they are doing."

The cornerback out of Missouri said he is now "fully back" after suffering a sports hernia injury that ended his senior season in college prematurely. He praised the team for managing his practice reps and the older members of the secondary for getting him up to speed on the team's expectations.

"It's been really good for me because I haven't really played football since December or I've been sitting down because of my sports hernia for awhile," Rakestraw said. "Those older guys like Amik, Carlton, (Kindle) Vildor, really everybody in there helping (Terrion and I) out, even the safeties like Kerby (Joseph) and Iffy (Ifeatu Melifonwu), B-Jo (Brandon Joseph). They are just helping me out along the process so I can get better and fit the team DNA."

Betts, the reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year who signed a deal with the Lions in February , is working with new defensive line coach Terrell Williams and outside linebackers Derrick Barnes and James Houston to try to make an impact wherever he can.

"(Williams) has a positive approach but at the same time his résumé speaks for itself," Betts said. "He wants us to be aggressive at the point of attack, just really playing loose and be able to feel, play fast and naturally play off of each other whenever we have the chance on pass-rush downs. I like the fact he doesn't reinvent football or anything like that."

Rams scoop up former Lions DB

ESPN reported Friday afternoon that former Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs is signing a deal with the Los Angeles Rams. The team did not re-sign Jacobs following the 2023 season as part of the overhaul to the secondary. Jacobs appeared in 15 games last season, including 12 starts at outside cornerback, before he lost his job to Vildor down the stretch.

Jacobs joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent signing in 2021 and started at least eight games in all three seasons in Detroit.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions defense aims to lead NFL in 2024