Next Step for Amani Oruwariye Is Becoming Shutdown Cornerback

Amani Oruwariye is having a stellar season for the Detroit Lions.

Cornerback Amani Oruwariye has steadily become one of the leaders of the Detroit Lions' defense. 

Oftentimes overlooked due to the presence of teammate Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the 25-year-old defensive back has developed into a player opposing teams must game plan around. 

His six interceptions (third in the NFL) and QB rating allowed of 36.0 (second in the NFL for players targeted 50-plus times) have caught the attention of his coaches, teammates and several other players across the league. 

Against the Cardinals, Oruwariye's interception tilted the momentum back in Detroit's favor, after running back Godwin Igwebuike fumbled the football and turned it over early in the third quarter. 

“Huge. Huge. I felt like that was one of those like, ‘OK, come on, man.’ And for Amani to be able to -- and that defense -- that’s also a product of the way we were playing. We were hitting them and playing aggressive, and so that was another product," Campbell explained Sunday, following the victory over Arizona. "That was just a great drive by him, too. Huge play by Amani. And so that, I felt like, tilted it back in our favor, and then certainly the next play we score. That was huge.”

The coaching staff has not had many players to call upon to be both reliable and productive, due to the sheer number of injuries that have decimated the defensive backs room. 

"Just to see his confidence climb throughout the year, he's just, I feel like he's just gotten better and better, and he's playing at a high level," Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket during his weekly radio appearance this week. "His ball skills are outstanding, and he's just, man, he's been steady as a rock for us. And that's saying a lot for where we've been this year, with all the different things that we've had going on with his team. He's been one of the steadfast and consistent producers for us."

The next step for Oruwariye is to continue to elevate his game and prove that he can be assigned the opponents' best offensive threats at wideout and shut them down consistently. 

Continuing to improve has been a regular topic of conversation between Oruwariye and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. 

"He could be a special player. He really can," Glenn said. "There's other things that he has to improve upon, true enough. But, he understands that, and if he continues to improve the way he's improved, then he can be a special player." 

Glenn added, when asked about what was the next level for Oruwariye, "Shutdown corner. Shutdown corner, as far as his man skills. What are his off-man skills? We already know that he can go and get the ball. Can you put him on the best guy, and can he take that best guy out? I think that's what every corner wants to be. It's all about work. That's everybody. You don't get anywhere in this league without working. And, I don't think I have to tell him that. If he wants to be one of the best guys, he has to put in his head that he just has to work." 

© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

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