Training Camp Preview: Lions' Defensive Line Ready to Dominate
Going into the 2023 season, the youth along the Detroit Lions' defensive line is readily apparent.
Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs, Benito Jones, Levi Onwuzurike and Brodric Martin comprise the interior of the defensive line. Meanwhile, on the edge, the Lions feature more-than-capable pass rushers Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston, along with fellow second-year end Josh Paschal, the Okwara brothers (Romeo and Julian), John Cominsky and Charles Harris. Of these linemen, no one is older than 28 (Harris and Romeo Okwara).
Reason for hope
Hutchinson and Houston have emerged as the stars of the line.
Hutchinson, a product of the University of Michigan, produced 9.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 2022. He also logged 52 total tackles, including nine for loss.
Additionally, he recorded three interceptions, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries, becoming the first rookie in NFL history to put together a campaign with at least 7.5 sacks, three interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Then, there's Houston, a product of Jackson State, who was equally impressive a season ago (and in a shorter amount of games.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound defender, in fact, amassed at least one sack in each of his first four games, and went on to notch eight sacks, seven tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits in just seven games.
Additionally, Houston produced 7.5 sacks through his first six games, becoming the first player in NFL history to record that amount of sacks in such a span to start one's career. He also became just the fifth player in league history to amass both six sacks and one forced fumble through six career games since at least 1999.
Hutchinson and Houston project to be one of the most exciting pass-rushing duos in the league in 2023.
Levi Onwuzurike's health
Onwuzurike hasn't played a down of football since the 2021 season. He sat out of all last year with a back injury, and still hasn't been cleared to return to the field for football activities.
Once the 2021 second-round pick does return, though (potentially at some point during training camp), he's expected to be in a battle for snaps on the interior of the defensive line. He's likely to receive stiff competition from Buggs and Jones, both of whom emerged as capable role players a season ago.
So, once Onwuzurike gets the green light to play again, he'll have to re-earn his spot along Detroit's defensive line.
Player to watch
John Cominsky is one of the most underappreciated members of the Lions' D-line.
Yet, the veteran defensive lineman proved to be an integral piece of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn's unit in 2022.
In what was his first season in the Motor City, Cominsky recorded a breakout campaign. He amassed career-best marks in games played (14), total tackles (30), tackles for loss (five), sacks (four) and quarterback hits (12). He also posted a career-high three passes defensed and his first career forced fumble.
Subsequently, the Lions rewarded "The Commish" – as he's affectionately known inside the team's locker room – with a two-year, $8.5 million contract extension.
I expect Cominsky to continue to fly under the radar and be a solid contributor for Detroit's defense in 2023.
