Kelvin Sheppard just put several Lions defenders on notice, and Detroit’s defense could look very different Sunday
Brian Branch is getting closer, Keith Abney is pushing for a larger role and Sheppard made it clear that repeated mistakes won’t be tolerated much longer. Detroit’s back seven may be headed for a shakeup.
After Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s press conference on Thursday, one thing became pretty clear. The Lions’ defense is about to look a lot different, especially in the secondary and at linebacker.
Now, I’m not saying different is automatically going to work. I also think it’s risky for Detroit to keep standing by this scheme the way it has. But Sheppard used the phrase “one more time” a few times during his presser, and he talked about how guys aren’t where they’re supposed to be. He also said the back end is doing the defensive line a disservice.
He couldn’t be more right about that. The Lions are second in the NFL in pressures and second in sacks. They fixed their time-to-pressure problem. Sheppard even said it’s probably the best defensive line the team has had since he’s been here, which goes back to 2021. He’s not wrong. The problem is that it’s all for naught when the corners and linebackers are struggling.
Keith Abney and Brian Branch could reshape the secondary
Right off the bat, Sheppard brought up rookie cornerback Keith Abney. He said Abney has been progressing and that the staff will keep bringing him along until it feels right. He also said the Lions saw Abney as a player who could flex inside to nickel and also play some safety. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said something similar on Monday about giving Abney more opportunities and a bigger role.
What it feels like is the Lions are going for a Brian Branch light. A diet Brian Branch, as I like to call it. Abney isn’t just going to play nickel. He can play nickel, safety, and even give you some outside corner.
Right now, he’s pushing for the starting slot job. I’m not sure that’s the right way to go, though. I like Abney at safety or in the nickel with the freedom to flex around because Branch is coming back at some point.
Sheppard made it sound like Branch could play on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. We’ll hear from Dan Campbell on that Friday. My guess is that it’s probably not happening and that you’ll see Branch after the bye against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7.
Once Branch is back, I’m leaving the safeties alone. I know everybody’s going to hate that, but Chuck Clark and Christian Izien are doing pretty good back there. Those guys would benefit from a better situation at corner. Branch goes to nickel, where he was outstanding as a rookie and for a bit in his second season. We all know how good he is at safety. But if you want your best players on the field at every spot, that’s how you do it.
Sheppard alluded to that kind of flexibility Thursday when talking about Branch:
“There we go, bring some life into this deal. Listen, I don’t even know the word for it. I— but I mean, how many positions can he play and how fast? I mean, he’s a dynamic player. This is an elite player in this league, which we all know. I’m not telling you nothing you don’t know. That’s an elite player in this league. So they’re already—”
Detroit is already talking about Branch playing multiple positions, and that’s the way to go. If you can be multiple back there, that’s where you want to be. That’s what they want from Branch and Abney.
Changes at linebacker and cornerback
At linebacker, it’s time to give Malcolm Rodriguez more snaps. He’s shown in limited time that he should be a starter. Let’s see more of Rolder as well. The Nowaske thing was fun, and he should get his minutes at SAM linebacker, maybe splitting more with Derrick Barnes.
Then there’s Jack Campbell. He’s an All-Pro linebacker who suddenly isn’t playing like one. He isn’t getting old, and that honor came last season, not three years ago. That’s where I think it’s a scheme problem. It feels like Campbell is getting hung out to dry.
Over at corner, I don’t know how much longer D.J. Reed should be CB1. I don’t think Reed is this bad of a player. He’s better than he looks. But he’s getting beat up out there, and teams are aiming for him. If I’m being completely honest, I’m not sure he should be on the team anymore. I know the Lions are thinking about trades, and maybe they get one done over the bye week. If they do, CB1 is where they should be shooting.
On the other side, it’s time to start Ennis Rakestraw. Roger McCreary was a good try. Starting Rakestraw might feel risky, but for as bad as it has been, a little risk isn’t going to hurt anybody. I don’t want to tempt fate, but it’s hard to see it getting worse.
It’s also time to let Nick Whiteside play. He had a hot start to training camp before cooling off dramatically. At this point, let’s see what the kid has. Get him active.
I know it’s lip service, and Sheppard admitted as much. Still, the Lions are telling these players to get it done or they’ll find someone who will. They’re trying to fix it. We’ll see if it pays off.
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