Lions' 2023 Season Grades: Defense

Grading the Lions' defensive performance in 2023.

The Detroit Lions managed to have a historic season despite an up-and-down effort from their defense in 2023. 

Coordinator Aaron Glenn's group improved from years past statistically, but the unit has clear areas to improve ahead of next season. In particular, the defense struggled to sack opposing quarterbacks and defend the pass in big games. 

Here are grades for each defensive position group based on performance in the 2023 season.

Defensive line: B-

Grading the defensive line presents an interesting conundrum. On one hand, the unit was key to a run defense that finished second in the league in yards against on the ground. However, they also struggled to get to the quarterback for most of the year.

The Lions held their opponent under 100 yards on the ground in 12 games this season, including a Week 16 game against Minnesota in which they held the Vikings to just 17 rushing yards. 

Alim McNeill played a big role in this, as he had his best season. Before suffering a knee injury against New Orleans in Week 13, he was trending toward earning Pro Bowl honors. After undergoing offseason changes to his diet that caused him to shed weight, he was among the team's breakout players. 

Aidan Hutchinson took another step forward, leading the league in pressures according to Pro Football Focus. That didn't always translate to sacks, as he was held to just two in a 10-game stretch between weeks 6 and 16. 

However, he notched five in the final two games to surpass double digits and finished with 11.5. Hutchinson also had sacks in the first two postseason games as well. 

However, outside of Hutchinson, the Lions struggled to put pressure on opposing passers. McNeill finished second on the team with five sacks, while no other player had more than three. 

In total, the Lions finished tied-for-23rd in the league with 41 sacks. The pass rushing group took a hit when James Houston suffered an ankle injury in Week 2, and veterans Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara couldn't produce at a high level. 

Lions' 2023 Season Grades: Offense

Linebackers: B

The Lions made a big commitment at this position by drafting Jack Campbell 18th overall, but he didn't crack the starting lineup in the season opener. This statement isn't so much an indictment on the rookie as it is an acknowledgement of the development of Derrick Barnes. 

Barnes took the challenge head on and earned a starting job out of training camp. He wound up playing a key role throughout the campaign, even as Campbell worked his way into the starting lineup early in the year. 

The Lions have the makings of a solid core at this position if Campbell can continue to develop. He looked to be a touch too aggressive early in the year, as he became notorious for over-pursuing angles. Yet, he recovered from this and played well at the end of the year. 

Alex Anzalone was steady and notched his second-consecutive 100-plus tackle season. He finished with 129 stops, leading the team, and showed improvement in coverage at points. 

The Lions also got contributions from Malcolm Rodriguez, who had an interception in the NFC Championship game, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin in spurts. 

Secondary: C-

The Lions hoped to address the secondary by bringing in a trio of free agents. Unfortunately for the defense, two of those additions had their seasons shortened by injuries. 

Emmanuel Moseley, who was viewed as an instant starter at cornerback, suffered a season-ending knee injury in his first game back, while C.J. Gardner-Johnson missed time with a torn pec. 

In Moseley's absence, Jerry Jacobs was enlisted as the starter opposite free agent addition Cam Sutton. Jacobs started hot with three interceptions in five weeks but wound up being benched late in the season. 

Sutton, meanwhile, struggled against top receivers such as Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb, Puka Nacua and Mike Evans. His career numbers point to him being a consistent player, but he may not be cut out for the role of top cornerback. 

The Lions seem to have found a hit in second-round pick Brian Branch, who seemed to be a natural fit at the nickel cornerback position. After making a game-changing pick-six in the season opener, Branch wound up having a solid season. 

Elsewhere, Kerby Joseph notched his second consecutive four interception season at the safety position and Ifeatu Melifonwu emerged as a key piece of the defense late in the year. 

Though the unit underperformed, especially late in the year, there are exciting players in the mix going forward.