It might not feel like it to some, but the Detroit Lions’ defense finished last year ranked in the top half of the league in DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average), thanks in large part to their No. 1 ranked run defense. And while the passing defense was often the source of their problems, it still ranked in the middle of the pack at 16th in the NFL.
2023 was a huge improvement over the last couple years, where the Lions’ defense ranked 27th in DVOA in 2022, and 29th in 2021. And when you consider the additions made to the defense already this offseason, there is reason to be optimistic that the unit can be even better in 2024.