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Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Training-camp battles to watch on Lions defense

By Curt Steele | Last updated 6/23/23

The Detroit Lions defense was awful in 2022, ranking last in the league in yards allowed. During the offseason, general manager Brad Holmes worked on improving and rebuilding the unit. Here are position battles to watch on defense:

Nose tackle

Lions standout defensive tackle Alim McNeill has lost 13% of his body fat and will focus on getting more sacks this season. McNeill will play more off-center, meaning the role of nose tackle is up for grabs. A few big bodies are vying to start at the position.

Isaiah Buggs re-signed with Detroit in the spring after starting most of 2022. He struggled against the run early last season but came on down the stretch. He is a vocal leader in the locker room and the presumptive starter. The former Alabama star played nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.

Free-agent additions Christian Covington and rookie Brodric Martin will also compete for a starting spot. In OTAs and mini-camp, Martin and Covington received first-team reps in Buggs' absence. Third-round pick Martin, the biggest defensive player on the team (6-foot-5 and 331 pounds), is eager to make an impact.

Linebacker

Alex Anzalone played above expectations and had a career year for the Lions in 2022. Like Buggs, Anzalone re-signed with Detroit in the spring. The former Florida Gator had 125 tackles as the starting middle linebacker last season. His spot is safe.

Expect stiff competition at "Will" (weak side) linebacker in coordinator Aaron Glenn's 4-2-5 defense,

Detroit took Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell with one of its two first-round draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Campbell could have the edge because of his high draft status. However, he had struggled during rookie minicamp and OTAs.

Derrick Barnes impressed coaches during spring workouts with his improved play and knowledge of the defense. The third-year veteran has said it will be hard for anyone to surpass him on the depth chart, including Campbell. Barnes has the upper hand with his ability to rush the quarterback.

Final spots in secondary

There will not be much competition at the top spots of the secondary. Cornerbacks Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson will start in front of safeties Tracy Walker and Kerby Joseph. Emmanuel Moseley, who came over from the 49ers in free agency, will challenge Jacobs for his spot once he fully recovers from an ACL injury.

2023 second-round pick defensive back Brian Branch already has a spot backing up Gardner-Johnson in the rover position in the Lions' 4-2-5 scheme. Following Branch, there is substantial and fierce competition by players vying for a spot on the roster.

The departure of safety C.J. Moore, known for his expertise in special teams, has created a vacancy that must be filled in both phases of the game. (Moore was released due to gambling on NFL games.) Veterans Brady Breeze, Ifeatu Melifonwu and rookie undrafted free agent Brandon Joseph will battle for the final roster spot at safety.

Will Harris showed versatility last season, switching to cornerback from safety, and had a good season at the position. He has the upper hand as a backup corner and is a possible replacement for Moore on special teams.

It will be a free-for-all at cornerback for the final roster spots. Second-year player Chase Lucas and undrafted rookie Starling Thomas V are ahead of several veterans on the roster. When the pads come on in training camp, Khalil Dorsey, Steven Gilmore, Jarren Williams and Saivion Smith will try to capture the eye of the coaching staff.

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