Upfront along the defensive line they’ve added veterans DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport to pair with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson and crafty veteran Alim McNeill. Fourth-year defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike was really good throughout camp and was mentioned a couple times by head coach Dan Campbell unprompted on Monday as a player who could make a huge impact upfront. They are certainly much deeper upfront than they’ve been heading into previous regular seasons.
Left tackle Taylor Decker was asked about Detroit’s defense on Monday, and he said the play of the defense in camp and the improvements they’ve made upfront really stood out to him.
“That defensive line is much improved, in my opinion,” Decker said. “They are playing aggressive trying to make plays. Very disruptive front. I think they are playing with a lot of confidence. Definitely a much-improved group from my perspective.”
Decker talked about Onwuzurike and the big strides he made this offseason. He also said Hutchinson was poised to take the next step after a Pro Bowl 2023, and mentioned Davenport as having the best bull rush of any edge player he’s ever played against.
“I’m excited to watch them play,” Decker said of the defensive front.