The Detroit Lions Instantly Upgrade The DB Room | The #denofdoom

The Detroit Lions Instantly Upgrade The DB Room | The #denofdoom 

Will Rock went to social media to quickly coin the term #DenOfDoom as soon as the C.J Gardner-Johnson signing was announced.  This Lions defensive backfield, on paper, may be one of the best units in the league.  A top 15 unit wouldn’t be an overreaching expectation.  

The Lions were often in a 4-2-5 defense last season, and for that reason the lions have brought in three big time playmakers led by Cam Sutton, Manny Moseley and C.J. Gardner Johnson. The Lions now have the flexibility and depth to keep high level players on the field for every down.  The newly acquired DB room does not appear to have any glaring weaknesses right now other than contract length.  Which may only get better should the Lions target a DB early in the 2023 NFL draft. 

Who Plays | Where Does Okudah Fit?

The Lions organization did not bring veteran leaders in to sit or work their way in.  Sure, they must perform at a high level, understand the defensive scheme, and execute it on the field. Nothing jumps out and says that wont happen, as Sutton & CJ both are far better DBs than Okudah is at this point.  With C.J. Gardner-Johnson able to play both safety and slot, this further pushes Okudah down the depth chart.  A healthy Moseley should certainly compete with Okudah and win a spot as the #3 CB. 

Deep Roots In The DB Room

There is continuity and trust between some of these guys and the coaching staff already.  Sutton spent his collegiate years at the University of Tennessee with Emmanuel Moseley. I have lauded these types of connections many times in the past.  Bringing in players that have experience together on the field instantly creates continuity and better on field communication. 

Gardner-Johnson’s bond with Glenn stretches back to high-school All-American games, but it is not the only reason he’s calling this area home. He pointed to head coach Dan Campbell, linebacker, and former Florida/Saints teammate Alex Anzalone as relationships he covets.  At the opening press conference in Allen Park, C.J Gardner-Johnson had this to say…

“The coaching staff. I’m familiar with them, familiar with the scheme. And the players. I mean, I want to play with a young group of guys that’s hungry who showed a lot of grit and fight last year,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I was on the other side. But just watching from the outside looking in, got a lot of great young talent. I played against it in Week 1 last year, obviously.

“They have an identity already established. It took a couple of years to get it going. But being here and seeing it, front office, I haven’t been around the players yet. But you can see it when you watch it on tape, watch it on TV, watch it on film. I think this place here is somewhere I can call that a home almost. Like, I’m familiar with everybody, comfortable and I’m ready to get going.”

Open Camp Competition

Brad Holmes & Dan Campbell have put the notice to everyone on the #villainsquad that nobody is safe.  They are expecting the team to get prepared in the off season and come in ready to fight for their spot and win!  They have added veteran leaders that, oh by the way, ARE REALLY GOOD PLAYERS!!  The young players will benefit greatly from their leadership and veteran experience.  Expect this to be a fierce competition all the way around. 

What about Jeffrey Okudha? 

Like I have reported in the past Okudah is an unfortunate product of Bob Quin & Matt Patricia that just hasn’t panned out.  He didn’t benefit from veteran leadership to start his career and learn from, which set him back. Okudah has suffered from injury after injury which has put a cloud over his head, as he just hasn’t been reliable. 

The Lions are moving on and this is his last season even if he makes it through camp. I don’t expect Okudah to be brought back for his 5th year option and it is likely he doesn’t make it out of camp should he have a rough start.  I wouldn’t put it passed Brad Holmes to use Okudah as trade bait come draft day. Unless he can prove his worth through his play, this is his final season as a Lion.

Training camp is going to be one of the hottest, most intense camps in the Lions’ recent history!  Hope to see you all out there!