The record is bad, there is no question about that. For the rebuilding Detroit Lions there is some good. For instance general manager Brad Holmes first draft class has by and large performed well. Head coach Dan Campbell and his staff have done a solid job at player development. I would like to shine a spotlight on three players that can help the Lions going forward.
Rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, what a find by Brad Holmes and the Lions scouting department. St. Brown is the Detroit Lions record holder for receptions in a rookie season. Let’s look a little deeper, St. Brown is developing into a well rounded player. His blocking has lead to the comparison of Pittsburgh Steelers great Hines Ward. One area that the Lions and St. Brown want him to focus on improving is yards after the catch. But, St. Brown is a keeper and has shown he can move the chains.
Next is a player that had a bad 2020, but has rebounded in a big way, safety Tracy Walker. The Lions second leading tackler 45 solo total tackles as well as 26 assists, Walker has 5 passes defensed. In just his fourth NFL season Walker is a leader. He is a player that should get a contract extension at seasons end.
Now comes a player that has really (and I mean really) come into his own. Cornerback, Amani Oruwariye who got his sixth interception of the season last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Oruwariye currently ranks as the third best DB in the NFL. Providing the Lions secondary with a soon to be shutdown cornerback.
Three players that can be building blocks, St. Brown, Walker and Oruwariye have provided enough in their development to give hope they will be long-term solutions for a Detroit Lions team that is rebuilding and looking for playmakers.
