The Lions struggled on defense in 2016. Football Outsiders ranked the Lions dead last in the NFL. Defensive Line was ranked # 26 against the run and # 25 vs. the pass. The Lions spent very litte in terms of resources on the D-line.
| 2016 STATS |
|---|
| PLAYER | GAMES | TACKLES | SACKS | FF |
|---|
| Ziggy Ansah | 13 | 35 | 2.0 | 0 |
| Kerry Hyder Jr. | 16 | 36 | 8.0 | 0 |
| Cornelius Washington# | 15 | 20 | 2.0 | 0 |
| Armonty Bryant | 5 | 5 | 3.0 | 1 |
| Anthony Zettel | 13 | 13 | 1.0 | 0 |
| Brandon Copeland | 16 | 16 | 0.0 | 1 |
| Pat O'Connor* | 13 | 42 | 8.5 | 5 |
| Alex Barrett* | 14 | 53 | 7.5 | 0 |
| Jeremiah Valoaga* | 10 | 24 | 5.5 | 1 |
Leaders 2016
Snaps
Taylor 717
Hyder 705
Ansah 539
Zettel 224
Gilberry 125
Bryant 104
Stuffs
Hyder 4
Ansah 4
Taylor
Sacks
Hyder 8
Taylor 4.5
Bryant 3
Ansah 2
Zettel 1
TFL
Hyder 11
Ansah 7
Taylor 4
Hurries
Hyder 11
Ansah 9
Taylor 8
Return
Ziggy Ansah
Anthony Zettel
Armonty Bryant
Brandon Copeland
Kerry Hyder
Key additions
Cornelius Washington UFA Bears
Pat O'Connor 7th round pick
Losses
Devin Taylor
Ziggy Ansah 5th year in Detroit
1st round pick 2013
Regular season 163 tackles 32 sacks
Post Season: 2 starts 11 tackles 3 sacks
Pre season 14 tackles 1.5 sacks
College: BYU 31 starts 72 tackles 4.5 sacks 1 int
Combine: 6051 271 4.63 21 34.5 910 4.26 7.11
Contract: 1 year $12.7 mil
Pro Football Focus Rank: #51
Si.com Rank: #99
Snaps: 539
Analysis:
Final year on the contract for the Zig. He struggled in 2016. He has taken it easy this spring. I would not sign him to a long term contract. You have to wonder how many prime years he has left. Starting the season the PUP list.
Kerry Hyder 4th year in the NFL 3rd in Detroit
FA 2015 Jets
Regular Season 17 games 2 starts 8 sacks 36 tackles
Playoffs 2 tackles
Pre season 8 tackles 3 sacks 3 FR
College: Texas Tech 49 games 41 starts 176 tackles 11 sacks 6 FF
Combine: 6024 290 5.1 20 30 7.23 4.33
Contract: 1 year $540,000
Pro Football Focus: #42
Si.com rank: #351
Snaps: 705 D 49 ST
Analysis:
A great season for Kerry. He led the Lions in Sacks, TFL and stops. Could be in line for a starting spot replacing the banished Devin Taylor. Tore an Achilles early in the first quarter of the first pre-season game.
Cornelius Washington 5th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit
UFA 2017 Bears
NFL Career: 31 games 2 starts 30 tackles 3 sacks
College: Georgia 50 games 76 tackles 10.5 sacks 2 FR
Combine: 6040 255 4.55 3639 1008 7.47 4.74
Contract: 2 years $2.321 mil
PFF Rank: #54
Analysis:
Big strong player. A better scheme fit in the 4-3. Replaces Devin Taylor who ranked #108 by PFF. Needs a big year.
Armonty Bryant 5th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit
Waivers 2016 Browns
Regular Season: 5 games 4 tackles 3 sacks
Preseason: 1 tackle
College: East Central 30 games 165 tackles 27.5 sacks 9 FF 3 FR 9 BLK
Combine: 6037 263 4.86 4.69 15 34.5 1001 7.14 4.43
Contract: 1 year $ 695,000
Si.com Rank: #382
Snaps: 104
Analysis:
A guy with talent but has been in trouble. Twice suspended in 2016 and torn his ACL. Will start the season on the PUP and was activated 8/7. Faces a four game suspension to start the season. Waived following the suspension without playing a game.
Anthony Zettel 2nd year in Detroit
6th round pick 2016
Regular Season: 13 games 13 tackles 1 sack
Playoffs 1 game
Preseason 7 tackles 2 sacks
College: Penn State 20 sacks 3 int
Combine: 6026 277 4.81 28 30 904 7.63 4.39
Contract: 3 years $570,930
Snaps: 224 D 55 ST
Analysis:
Could surprise this season. Came back in great shape. Worked out at Exos in Los Angeles in the offseason. Probably the 4th end.
Brandon Copeland 4th year in the NFL 3rd in Detroit
FA 2105 Ravens
Regular Season: 32 games 1 start 30 tackles 0.5 sacks
Playoffs 1 game
Preseason: 7 tackles 1 int
College: Penn 39 games 160 tackles 11 sacks
Super Regional Combine: 6021 265 4.72 30 32.5 1002 7.29 4.49
Contract: 1 year $615,000
Snaps: 142 D 324 ST
Analysis:
Played both end and Sam LB. A star special teams players probably will stick at the bottom of the roster. Tore a pec in the first preseson game. Out for the season.
Pat O'Connor Rookie 7th round pick
College: EMU 48 games 166 tackles 20 sacks 7 FF
Pro Day: 6056 277 5.01 17 31.5 906 7.34 4.56
Contract: 4 years $481,067
Analysis:
A big guy who plays really hard. Impressed at the Michigan pro day. Probably ends up on the practice squad.
Alex Barrett UDFA rookie
College: SDSU 51 games 6015 252 4.97 21 30 901 7.41 4.42
Pro day: 51 games 165 tackles 18 sacks 2 int 3 ff
Contract: 3 years $467,000
Analysis:
Small, Slow guy with great production. Long shot. Finds the ball.
Jeremiah Valoaga UDFA rookie
Lions stats: 9 games 5 tackles 1 Sack
Preseason 10 tackles 1 sack
College: UNLV 23 games 87 tackles 8,5 sacks 7 PD
Pro day: 6056 276 5.21 15 32 908 7.18 4.42
Contract: 3 years $469,000
Analysis:
A bit of a mystery. Kicked off the team at UNLV and injured during the spring. Started the season of the PUP list (activated 8/4). Long guy who can find the ball. Surprise in camp. Waived 11/24.
George Johnson 8th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit
FA 2017 Bucs
Lions stats: 20 games 31 tackles 6 sacks
Preseason: 9 tackles 1 FF 2.5 sacks
NFL stats: 42 games 5 starts 61 tackles 6 sacks 2 FF
College: Rutgers 51 games 124 tackles 13 sacks 2 int 1 FF
Pro Day: 6043 268 4.79 29 31 905 6.96 4.57
Jacquies Smith 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit
FA 2017 Bucs
Lions Stats: 2 games 1 tackle
NFL stats 31 games 18 starts 40 tackles 13.5 sacks 3 PBU 4 FF
College: Missouri 31 games 142 tackles 9.5 sacks 1 int 9 PBU 3 FR 5 FF
Combine: 6025 253 4.81 4.59 21 31.5 902 4.31 7.25
Waived 11/13
Kasim Edebali 4th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit
2017 waivers Denver
Lions stats: 4 games
NFL stats: 61 games 2 starts 55 tackles 8 sacks 3 PBU
College: Boston College 49 games 166 tackles 11 sacks 24.5 TFL 15 PBU 4 ff 3 FR
Combine: 6020 253 4.79 19 34.5 907 7.2 4.35
