LIONS

Justin Rogers’ Detroit Lions midseason grades

Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Go through the gallery to see the Detroit Lions midseason grades and analysis by Justin Rogers of The Detroit News.
Go through the gallery to see the Detroit Lions midseason grades and analysis by Justin Rogers of The Detroit News.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
OFFENSE
OFFENSE
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
QB Matthew Stafford: It’s been a fairly standard season for Stafford, outside the season-opener, where he imploded, throwing four interceptions. There have been a couple other costly ball security moments, including a fumble in San Francisco and the silly pitch against the Vikings. Otherwise, the completion percentage is above 67 percent and passer rating is 96.5. That'll play in the pass-happy NFL. Grade: B
QB Matthew Stafford: It’s been a fairly standard season for Stafford, outside the season-opener, where he imploded, throwing four interceptions. There have been a couple other costly ball security moments, including a fumble in San Francisco and the silly pitch against the Vikings. Otherwise, the completion percentage is above 67 percent and passer rating is 96.5. That'll play in the pass-happy NFL. Grade: B
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
RB Kerryon Johnson: Johnson has been a revelation as a ball carrier, taking his preseason hype into the regular season. He’s topped 100 yards twice, is on pace for 1,000 and is averaging an impressive 5.7 yards per carry. He’s also contributed as a pass-catcher, hauling in 24 balls. His route running is noticeably still a work in progress, and his pass protection is even further behind. Grade: A-
RB Kerryon Johnson: Johnson has been a revelation as a ball carrier, taking his preseason hype into the regular season. He’s topped 100 yards twice, is on pace for 1,000 and is averaging an impressive 5.7 yards per carry. He’s also contributed as a pass-catcher, hauling in 24 balls. His route running is noticeably still a work in progress, and his pass protection is even further behind. Grade: A-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
RB LeGarrette Blount: Blount has been disappointing in his first season with the Lions. The starter to begin the year, and current second-fiddle in the rotation, he hasn’t brought his career-long consistency with him to Detroit. While he’s been above-average in short-yardage situations – where the Lions desperately had a need – the down-to-down vision and reliance on elusiveness over power on his rare runs into the second level have left him averaging 2.7 yards per carry. Grade: D+
RB LeGarrette Blount: Blount has been disappointing in his first season with the Lions. The starter to begin the year, and current second-fiddle in the rotation, he hasn’t brought his career-long consistency with him to Detroit. While he’s been above-average in short-yardage situations – where the Lions desperately had a need – the down-to-down vision and reliance on elusiveness over power on his rare runs into the second level have left him averaging 2.7 yards per carry. Grade: D+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
RB Theo Riddick: Riddick has been banged up this year, recently missing two games with a knee injury, but when he’s been active, he’s averaged five receptions per game. The problem is he hasn’t been the dynamic yards-after-catch option he’s been in the past, showing decreased elusiveness, while also dropping an uncharacteristic number of passes. One area he continues to provide value is as a pass protector. He remains the Lions’ best option in that department. Grade: C+
RB Theo Riddick: Riddick has been banged up this year, recently missing two games with a knee injury, but when he’s been active, he’s averaged five receptions per game. The problem is he hasn’t been the dynamic yards-after-catch option he’s been in the past, showing decreased elusiveness, while also dropping an uncharacteristic number of passes. One area he continues to provide value is as a pass protector. He remains the Lions’ best option in that department. Grade: C+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
FB Nick Bellore: Bellore doesn’t play a ton, but when he does, more often than not, he’s handling his blocking assignments. He’s been especially good on short-yardage situations. Grade: B-
FB Nick Bellore: Bellore doesn’t play a ton, but when he does, more often than not, he’s handling his blocking assignments. He’s been especially good on short-yardage situations. Grade: B-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
WR Marvin Jones: If Matthew Stafford didn’t miss him in the end zone multiple times early in the season, Jones' stat line would look more impressive. As it stands, he still leads the team with five touchdowns. And his recent stretch has put him back on pace for a 900-yard season. It will be interesting to see how Golden Tate’s absence impacts Jones’ production down the stretch. Grade: B+
WR Marvin Jones: If Matthew Stafford didn’t miss him in the end zone multiple times early in the season, Jones' stat line would look more impressive. As it stands, he still leads the team with five touchdowns. And his recent stretch has put him back on pace for a 900-yard season. It will be interesting to see how Golden Tate’s absence impacts Jones’ production down the stretch. Grade: B+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
WR Kenny Golladay: Golladay has been the Lions’ best receiver, making significant improvements to multiple facets of his game. He’s the team’s best perimeter blocker, has showed cleaner route running, at all depth levels, and has displayed strong hands, dropping just one pass. He’s slumped a bit in recent weeks, facing some different coverage looks, but still has a strong shot of topping 1,000 yards if he stays healthy. Grade: A-
WR Kenny Golladay: Golladay has been the Lions’ best receiver, making significant improvements to multiple facets of his game. He’s the team’s best perimeter blocker, has showed cleaner route running, at all depth levels, and has displayed strong hands, dropping just one pass. He’s slumped a bit in recent weeks, facing some different coverage looks, but still has a strong shot of topping 1,000 yards if he stays healthy. Grade: A-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
WR Golden Tate: A final grade for the former YAC king of Detroit. Tate was off to a blazing hot start before the Lions shipped him to Philadelphia at the deadline, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. His best outings came in loses, but without him, the Lions wouldn’t have been close in Dallas. Tate was doing what he did best before the trade, making tacklers miss, but drops were definitely an issue. He put five passes on the ground. Grade: B+
WR Golden Tate: A final grade for the former YAC king of Detroit. Tate was off to a blazing hot start before the Lions shipped him to Philadelphia at the deadline, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. His best outings came in loses, but without him, the Lions wouldn’t have been close in Dallas. Tate was doing what he did best before the trade, making tacklers miss, but drops were definitely an issue. He put five passes on the ground. Grade: B+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
TE Luke Willson: Willson has been a better blocker than pass-catcher for the Lions. Outside of a few lopsided mismatches, he’s strong enough to handle himself in-line, but athletic enough to pull or operate in space, successfully marking defenders on the move. The athleticism hasn’t carried over as well to receiving, with most of his limited production coming on underneath routes. Grade: C-
TE Luke Willson: Willson has been a better blocker than pass-catcher for the Lions. Outside of a few lopsided mismatches, he’s strong enough to handle himself in-line, but athletic enough to pull or operate in space, successfully marking defenders on the move. The athleticism hasn’t carried over as well to receiving, with most of his limited production coming on underneath routes. Grade: C-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
TE Mike Roberts: Roberts continues to be underrated as a blocker, an area he made significant strides at as a rookie last season. As a pass-catcher, he hasn’t enjoyed the breakout many anticipated he might after a productive offseason program, but he is the only one of the team's tight ends who has shown any ability to stretch the field. He’s also been the best option in the red zone, catching three touchdowns. Grade: B-
TE Mike Roberts: Roberts continues to be underrated as a blocker, an area he made significant strides at as a rookie last season. As a pass-catcher, he hasn’t enjoyed the breakout many anticipated he might after a productive offseason program, but he is the only one of the team's tight ends who has shown any ability to stretch the field. He’s also been the best option in the red zone, catching three touchdowns. Grade: B-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
TE Levine Toilolo: Toilolo was brought into to elevate Detroit’s blocking at the edge of the line, but he’s regularly looked overmatched, getting tossed to the ground by a number of defenders early in the season. He has been better as of late and deserves credit for key blocks on some of Kerryon Johnson’s longer runs. Grade: D+
TE Levine Toilolo: Toilolo was brought into to elevate Detroit’s blocking at the edge of the line, but he’s regularly looked overmatched, getting tossed to the ground by a number of defenders early in the season. He has been better as of late and deserves credit for key blocks on some of Kerryon Johnson’s longer runs. Grade: D+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
OT Taylor Decker: Decker hasn’t looked the same since coming back from last season’s shoulder surgery. He struggled with the power and speed of the Vikings' edge rushers in Sunday’s game and has allowed nearly 20 pressures on the season. Additionally, the push he generated as a run blocker his rookie season hasn’t reached the same level in 2018. Grade: C-
OT Taylor Decker: Decker hasn’t looked the same since coming back from last season’s shoulder surgery. He struggled with the power and speed of the Vikings' edge rushers in Sunday’s game and has allowed nearly 20 pressures on the season. Additionally, the push he generated as a run blocker his rookie season hasn’t reached the same level in 2018. Grade: C-
Jeff Haynes, AP
OT Rick Wagner: Wagner has been a better run blocker than Taylor Decker, but the pass protection from the right side hasn’t been any more reliable. Grade: B-
OT Rick Wagner: Wagner has been a better run blocker than Taylor Decker, but the pass protection from the right side hasn’t been any more reliable. Grade: B-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
G Frank Ragnow: Ragnow looked overwhelmed his first two games, allowing an absurd amount of interior pressure get through to Matthew Stafford, but the rookie guard has cleaned up much of the problem since then. He still has a long way to go when blocking stunts, and the run blocking, which has had its highs and lows, needs to be more consistent. Grade: C
G Frank Ragnow: Ragnow looked overwhelmed his first two games, allowing an absurd amount of interior pressure get through to Matthew Stafford, but the rookie guard has cleaned up much of the problem since then. He still has a long way to go when blocking stunts, and the run blocking, which has had its highs and lows, needs to be more consistent. Grade: C
Paul Sancya, AP
G T.J. Lang: When healthy, Lang has been excellent. He rarely allows pressure, shows expert timing when operating in tandem with Rick Wagner or Graham Glasgow, and can get to the second level more effectively than any of Detroit’s linemen. But health continues to be a concern. He missed time with a concussion, while his back and hip have been nagging issues, forcing him into a rotation with Kenny Wiggins. Grade: B+
G T.J. Lang: When healthy, Lang has been excellent. He rarely allows pressure, shows expert timing when operating in tandem with Rick Wagner or Graham Glasgow, and can get to the second level more effectively than any of Detroit’s linemen. But health continues to be a concern. He missed time with a concussion, while his back and hip have been nagging issues, forcing him into a rotation with Kenny Wiggins. Grade: B+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
G Kenny Wiggins: Wiggins held his own in his first appearance, coming off the bench cold against San Francisco, but he’s struggled almost every other time he’s been on the field. His athleticism shows up at times when he’s asked to pull or get out in front of a screen pass, but when anchoring in the trenches, he’s clearly the unit’s weak link. Grade: D
G Kenny Wiggins: Wiggins held his own in his first appearance, coming off the bench cold against San Francisco, but he’s struggled almost every other time he’s been on the field. His athleticism shows up at times when he’s asked to pull or get out in front of a screen pass, but when anchoring in the trenches, he’s clearly the unit’s weak link. Grade: D
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
C Graham Glasgow: A strong case could be made that Glasgow was Detroit’s best lineman last season, but he’s been battled inconsistency more this year, likely in part to playing with a rookie off one shoulder and an unreliable rotation on the other. Regardless, the amount of pressure he’s allowing is too much for a center. Grade: C+
C Graham Glasgow: A strong case could be made that Glasgow was Detroit’s best lineman last season, but he’s been battled inconsistency more this year, likely in part to playing with a rookie off one shoulder and an unreliable rotation on the other. Regardless, the amount of pressure he’s allowing is too much for a center. Grade: C+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
K Matt Prater: Two of Prater’s three misses have come from 50 yards and beyond. Within 50, he’s been as reliable as ever. But with what we’ve seen, it’s worth questioning whether he’s still a guy who could bury a 55-plus yarder in the closing seconds with the game on the line. Grade: B+
K Matt Prater: Two of Prater’s three misses have come from 50 yards and beyond. Within 50, he’s been as reliable as ever. But with what we’ve seen, it’s worth questioning whether he’s still a guy who could bury a 55-plus yarder in the closing seconds with the game on the line. Grade: B+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
DEFENSE
DEFENSE
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
DE Ziggy Ansah: When he plays, he clearly remains Detroit’s best pass rusher. A disruptive force off the right edge, he’s managed to record a pair of sacks despite playing fewer than 30 snaps this season. The Lions had big plans to build their front around Ansah, but the shoulder injury that sidelined him six games put the kibosh on that. Grade: Inc
DE Ziggy Ansah: When he plays, he clearly remains Detroit’s best pass rusher. A disruptive force off the right edge, he’s managed to record a pair of sacks despite playing fewer than 30 snaps this season. The Lions had big plans to build their front around Ansah, but the shoulder injury that sidelined him six games put the kibosh on that. Grade: Inc
AP
DE Romeo Okwara: A waiver claim who joined the roster just before the start of the season, Okwara has made the most of a tough situation, learning a new scheme on the fly, while playing a heavy workload compensating for Ziggy Ansah’s absence. Okwara has been solid overall, racking up a career-high 5.0 sacks to go with a handful of run stops. Opponents have occasionally had success running to his edge, but overall, it's tough to expect much more given the timing of his addition. Grade: B+
DE Romeo Okwara: A waiver claim who joined the roster just before the start of the season, Okwara has made the most of a tough situation, learning a new scheme on the fly, while playing a heavy workload compensating for Ziggy Ansah’s absence. Okwara has been solid overall, racking up a career-high 5.0 sacks to go with a handful of run stops. Opponents have occasionally had success running to his edge, but overall, it's tough to expect much more given the timing of his addition. Grade: B+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
DT A’Shawn Robinson: A healthy scratch for the season opener, Robinson has largely played at high level since being reinserted into the lineup. He’s been particularly good against the run, although teams have shown some signs to adjusting to his aggressiveness. The Vikings ran right at him for a 70-yard gain on Sunday. Grade: B+
DT A’Shawn Robinson: A healthy scratch for the season opener, Robinson has largely played at high level since being reinserted into the lineup. He’s been particularly good against the run, although teams have shown some signs to adjusting to his aggressiveness. The Vikings ran right at him for a 70-yard gain on Sunday. Grade: B+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
DT Ricky Jean Francois: Jean Francois has served his purpose as a one-year stopgap veteran. Outside of his two-sack showing in Miami, he’s essentially played at a replacement level. Grade: C-
DT Ricky Jean Francois: Jean Francois has served his purpose as a one-year stopgap veteran. Outside of his two-sack showing in Miami, he’s essentially played at a replacement level. Grade: C-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
DT Da’Shawn Hand: A former five-star recruit who never lived up to the hype at Alabama, Hand has blossomed during his rookie season with the Lions. He’s been the team’s best interior pass rusher, without question, recording a pair of sacks and a team-high 15 hurries. Hand also shows good, um, hand usage, when defending the run. He only has occasional struggles when working against double teams. Grade: A-
DT Da’Shawn Hand: A former five-star recruit who never lived up to the hype at Alabama, Hand has blossomed during his rookie season with the Lions. He’s been the team’s best interior pass rusher, without question, recording a pair of sacks and a team-high 15 hurries. Hand also shows good, um, hand usage, when defending the run. He only has occasional struggles when working against double teams. Grade: A-
AP
DT Damon Harrison: Yeah, he’s only been here two weeks, but Harrison is everything the Lions hoped he’d be. A run-stuffer extraordinaire, opponents have had almost no success running at or near his gap. And he’s also shown a touch of juice when rushing the passer, dropping the ever-elusive Russell Wilson a week ago. Grade: A
DT Damon Harrison: Yeah, he’s only been here two weeks, but Harrison is everything the Lions hoped he’d be. A run-stuffer extraordinaire, opponents have had almost no success running at or near his gap. And he’s also shown a touch of juice when rushing the passer, dropping the ever-elusive Russell Wilson a week ago. Grade: A
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
DT Kerry Hyder: As much as everyone wanted this feel-good story to have a happy ending, Hyder has struggled to rebound following last season’s Achilles’ injury. He’s been a healthy scratch most weeks and has just three tackles on the year. Grade: D
DT Kerry Hyder: As much as everyone wanted this feel-good story to have a happy ending, Hyder has struggled to rebound following last season’s Achilles’ injury. He’s been a healthy scratch most weeks and has just three tackles on the year. Grade: D
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
DT Sylvester Williams: Before the Lions swung a deal for Harrison, Williams was signed to be the team’s nose tackle. But he was a non-factor, recording a few cleanup tackles before he was released. Grade: D
DT Sylvester Williams: Before the Lions swung a deal for Harrison, Williams was signed to be the team’s nose tackle. But he was a non-factor, recording a few cleanup tackles before he was released. Grade: D
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
LB Devon Kennard: Kennard, the team’s top free-agent signing this offseason, has exceeded expectations. Primarily used as an edge defender, he’s consistently shown good instincts and is a relentless pass rusher. That's helped him net 5.0 sacks. His ability to set the edge is regularly tested by opposing offenses with purpose, but he’s otherwise been a strong add to the roster. Grade: B+
LB Devon Kennard: Kennard, the team’s top free-agent signing this offseason, has exceeded expectations. Primarily used as an edge defender, he’s consistently shown good instincts and is a relentless pass rusher. That's helped him net 5.0 sacks. His ability to set the edge is regularly tested by opposing offenses with purpose, but he’s otherwise been a strong add to the roster. Grade: B+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
LB Jarrad Davis: Davis hasn’t taken the steps in his development you would have expected for a player so committed to his craft. The coverage has been better this season, especially as of late, but it would be unreasonable to call the overall body of work good. And an argument could be made that his run defense, which should be his bread and butter, has been a bigger weakness. He leads the team with nine missed tackles. Where Davis has thrived is as a pass rusher. He’s been highly effective when asked to blitz. Grade: D+
LB Jarrad Davis: Davis hasn’t taken the steps in his development you would have expected for a player so committed to his craft. The coverage has been better this season, especially as of late, but it would be unreasonable to call the overall body of work good. And an argument could be made that his run defense, which should be his bread and butter, has been a bigger weakness. He leads the team with nine missed tackles. Where Davis has thrived is as a pass rusher. He’s been highly effective when asked to blitz. Grade: D+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
LB Christian Jones: Jones isn’t great or awful at anything, he’s simply a solid linebacker who generally executes his assignments in the most way imaginable. He doesn’t miss many tackles, keeping most of the receptions he allows in front of him. As a pass rusher, he has a single sack and hasn’t gotten much pressure beyond that. Grade: C
LB Christian Jones: Jones isn’t great or awful at anything, he’s simply a solid linebacker who generally executes his assignments in the most way imaginable. He doesn’t miss many tackles, keeping most of the receptions he allows in front of him. As a pass rusher, he has a single sack and hasn’t gotten much pressure beyond that. Grade: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin: After the Lions prioritized getting bigger at linebacker this season, Reeves-Maybin felt like an awkward fit for the scheme. When he’s gets into games, he offers more coverage range than Detroit’s other linebackers, but despite how instinctual he can be, he’s unreliable against the run because he struggles to get off blocks if he doesn’t diagnose quickly enough to beat the blocker to the spot. Grade: C
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin: After the Lions prioritized getting bigger at linebacker this season, Reeves-Maybin felt like an awkward fit for the scheme. When he’s gets into games, he offers more coverage range than Detroit’s other linebackers, but despite how instinctual he can be, he’s unreliable against the run because he struggles to get off blocks if he doesn’t diagnose quickly enough to beat the blocker to the spot. Grade: C
Paul Sancya, AP
LB Eli Harold: Harold was a nice story early in the season, recording three sacks in the first three games, but he’s fallen out of favor in the rotation in recent weeks, playing nine defensive snaps over the past three games. If needed, he’s shown he can offer some juice off the edge, but for the time being, he’s relegated to special teams work. Grade: C-
LB Eli Harold: Harold was a nice story early in the season, recording three sacks in the first three games, but he’s fallen out of favor in the rotation in recent weeks, playing nine defensive snaps over the past three games. If needed, he’s shown he can offer some juice off the edge, but for the time being, he’s relegated to special teams work. Grade: C-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
CB Darius Slay: Slay has come away with two of Detroit’s three interceptions, and continues to be the team’s most-reliable cover corner, but he’s not playing anywhere near the Pro Bowl level he did a year ago. When opponents have challenged him, they’ve had decent success, completing nearly 70 percent of those targets. He looked particularly bad matched up against Davante Adams in Week 5. Grade: B
CB Darius Slay: Slay has come away with two of Detroit’s three interceptions, and continues to be the team’s most-reliable cover corner, but he’s not playing anywhere near the Pro Bowl level he did a year ago. When opponents have challenged him, they’ve had decent success, completing nearly 70 percent of those targets. He looked particularly bad matched up against Davante Adams in Week 5. Grade: B
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
CB Nevin Lawson: In coverage, Lawson isn’t as bad as many think. In fact, he’s only allowing 52 percent of his targets to be completed, and is a reliable tackler on the perimeter. The biggest issues are penalties and his lack of ball skills. He leads the team with seven flags and has continued his career-long trend of not being able to make plays on the ball. He has just three pass breakups and dropped what should have been the first interception of his career. Grade: C-
CB Nevin Lawson: In coverage, Lawson isn’t as bad as many think. In fact, he’s only allowing 52 percent of his targets to be completed, and is a reliable tackler on the perimeter. The biggest issues are penalties and his lack of ball skills. He leads the team with seven flags and has continued his career-long trend of not being able to make plays on the ball. He has just three pass breakups and dropped what should have been the first interception of his career. Grade: C-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
CB Teez Tabor: Tabor has been an unmitigated disaster. The second-round pick from a year ago is allowing a perfect passer rating when in coverage and has been racking up penalties at a troubling clip, drawing six flags, despite playing fewer than half as many snaps as Nevin Lawson. Grade: F
CB Teez Tabor: Tabor has been an unmitigated disaster. The second-round pick from a year ago is allowing a perfect passer rating when in coverage and has been racking up penalties at a troubling clip, drawing six flags, despite playing fewer than half as many snaps as Nevin Lawson. Grade: F
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
CB Jamal Agnew: Before a season-ending injury, the Lions were giving Agnew increased playing time in the slot. Unfortunately, the early returns weren’t great for the youngster who set records for pass breakups while in college. As a return man, Agnew was a victim of his blocking, prohibiting him from replicating his success from a year ago. Grade: D+
CB Jamal Agnew: Before a season-ending injury, the Lions were giving Agnew increased playing time in the slot. Unfortunately, the early returns weren’t great for the youngster who set records for pass breakups while in college. As a return man, Agnew was a victim of his blocking, prohibiting him from replicating his success from a year ago. Grade: D+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
CB DeShawn Shead: Shead didn’t make the roster out of training camp, but was brought back when injuries were mounting in the secondary. His playing time has fluctuated week-to-week, but he’s been reasonably effective with his assignments, particularly on third downs when asked to cover tight ends. Grade: C
CB DeShawn Shead: Shead didn’t make the roster out of training camp, but was brought back when injuries were mounting in the secondary. His playing time has fluctuated week-to-week, but he’s been reasonably effective with his assignments, particularly on third downs when asked to cover tight ends. Grade: C
AP
S Glover Quin: This mark is disappointing, but Quin has looked like a shell of his former self during his first season playing in Matt Patricia’s scheme. I don’t think it’s fair to say Quin has lost a step from a physical standpoint, but his instincts look as if they’ve been rebooted, often putting him a step or two out of position from the routine plays he made patrolling the back end in Teryl Austin’s system. Grade: D+
S Glover Quin: This mark is disappointing, but Quin has looked like a shell of his former self during his first season playing in Matt Patricia’s scheme. I don’t think it’s fair to say Quin has lost a step from a physical standpoint, but his instincts look as if they’ve been rebooted, often putting him a step or two out of position from the routine plays he made patrolling the back end in Teryl Austin’s system. Grade: D+
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
S Tavon Wilson: Wilson, like Jarrad Davis, has seemed to regress as a run defender. The in-the-box safety has previously shown a knack for attacking ball carriers downhill, but his name hasn’t been called as much this season, in large part because his role has been significantly reduced. He’s been on the field more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps in just two of Detroit’s seven games he’s played. Grade: D
S Tavon Wilson: Wilson, like Jarrad Davis, has seemed to regress as a run defender. The in-the-box safety has previously shown a knack for attacking ball carriers downhill, but his name hasn’t been called as much this season, in large part because his role has been significantly reduced. He’s been on the field more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps in just two of Detroit’s seven games he’s played. Grade: D
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
S Quandre Diggs: Diggs started the season off with a bang, returning an interception for a touchdown on the first snap. He hasn’t forced another turnover, and has broken up only one more pass. Still, he’s been reliable enough against both the pass and the run. Grade: B
S Quandre Diggs: Diggs started the season off with a bang, returning an interception for a touchdown on the first snap. He hasn’t forced another turnover, and has broken up only one more pass. Still, he’s been reliable enough against both the pass and the run. Grade: B
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
S Tracy Walker: A third-round pick this season, the Lions have been slowly incorporating Walker into the mix, giving him more than 20 snaps only once, when he was forced into action after Quandre Diggs broke his hand against Miami. What you have to like about Walker is how well he’s executed when on the field. He’s been solid in coverage, including an interception that was ultimately negated by a penalty away from the ball, while consistently wrapping up when making a tackle. Grade: B
S Tracy Walker: A third-round pick this season, the Lions have been slowly incorporating Walker into the mix, giving him more than 20 snaps only once, when he was forced into action after Quandre Diggs broke his hand against Miami. What you have to like about Walker is how well he’s executed when on the field. He’s been solid in coverage, including an interception that was ultimately negated by a penalty away from the ball, while consistently wrapping up when making a tackle. Grade: B
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
P Sam Martin: Martin’s leg strength appears to be closer to full strength this season, after an offseason injury sapped his effectiveness a year ago. The 46.5-yard average on punts is respectable, and despite fans wanting to see him blast more kickoffs out of the end zone, he’s kicking it short because he’s been asked to by coaches. Martin’s biggest issues has been the occasional mishit. He put a short one into the end zone, failed to angle another sharp enough toward the sideline, leading to a big return and angled another too sharply, a shank that failed to flip the field position. Grade: C-
P Sam Martin: Martin’s leg strength appears to be closer to full strength this season, after an offseason injury sapped his effectiveness a year ago. The 46.5-yard average on punts is respectable, and despite fans wanting to see him blast more kickoffs out of the end zone, he’s kicking it short because he’s been asked to by coaches. Martin’s biggest issues has been the occasional mishit. He put a short one into the end zone, failed to angle another sharp enough toward the sideline, leading to a big return and angled another too sharply, a shank that failed to flip the field position. Grade: C-
Daniel Mears, Detroit News