Overview
- Head Coach: Jim Caldwell
- Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
- Defensive Back Coach: Tony Oden
- Base Defense Scheme: 4-3
- Transactions:
- Draft Picks: CB Alex Carter, Quandre Diggs
Projected Starters
| CornerBack # 1: | Darius Slay | |
| CornerBack # 2: | Rashean Mathis | |
| Strong Safety : | James Idhedigbo | |
| Free Safety : | Glover Quin | |
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The Numbers
Total Fantasy Points Allowed to WR:329.28 Average Fantasy Points Per game against to WR:20.58 Total Receiving Touchdowns Allowed: 14 Total Receiving Yards Allowed:2,430 Average Receiving yards per game against: 151.88
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Strengths
This defensive backfield was lights out in 2014 and with no turn over, they should expect to stay on the same path in 2015. The only concern again is the pass rush and how that will change with the loss of their defensive tackles from last year. Glover Quin was the 3rd highest rated safety in pass coverage according to ProFootballFocus last year and led the league with 7 interception in 2014. He is rock solid in coverage and should again lead this unit to a very successful 2015 campaign. The other returning starters will also have spent another year developing under this coaching personal. They will be another defensive backfield to avoid when starting out in 2015 and as nothing drastic is changed or discovered in the first few weeks they should continue to be avoided until further notice.
Weaknesses
The front of this defense will look drastically different with the wholesale changes to the defensive line losing both Suh and Farley. At least for pass rushing purposes, it does look like the line will have taken a step back with the change from Suh to Ngata. Suh was a disruptive force especially rushing the passer. Ngata is a run stuffer but the hope is he will get after the quarterback and collapse the pocket on passing downs as well. Only time will tell if this is successful. But for a team that finished in the top 10 of almost every important defensive metric (including 2nd overall in total defense) last year.
Overall Outlook
Under Jim Caldwell the Detroit Lions have played a base 4-3 defense. With the loss of their two mega defensive tackles (Suh and Fairley) many have speculated that this base defense could be changing. But that does not appear to be the case… at least not yet. The Lions did offer a multitude of defensive looks in 2014 and will look to continue this in 2015. In week 1 they got torched by Rivers and Keenan Allen. If that continues in week 2 then I will have to change my tune on the Lions backfield and make this one to target for DFS players.
