Lions second-year defensive players poised to make a jump this season

In 2002, Detroit's defense saw significant contributions from a group of rookie players. It's common for professional athletes to experience a decline in performance during their second year, known as the sophomore slump. Hopefully, these players will have a better season in their second year.

Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the second overall pick, had a remarkable rookie season in 2022. He topped all NFL rookies and the Lions with 9.5 sacks. During the offseason, Hutchinson has focused on enhancing his strength and speed. He aims to raise his performance this season as part of the Lions defense.

James Houston, another pass rusher, joined the active roster midway through the season and still managed to get eight sacks in seven games, which made him second on the team. Houston was a disruptive force on the field for opposing offenses in his rookie year. The second-year player aims to double his sack total this season. 

"Hutch" and Houston have put quarterbacks in the NFC North on notice that they plan to have better sack totals in 2023. 

In 2023, the player expected to make a jump in play in Detroit's defense is Kerby Joseph, a second-year safety. Joseph, a star player for Fighting Illini, led the Lions with four interceptions in 2022. Notably, Joseph had the unique achievement of intercepting Aaron Rodgers, a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, three times in a single season, making him the only player to do so in a year.  

Kerby has been closely working on and off the field with experienced veteran Tracy Walker during the offseason. He has the chance to learn from a more seasoned secondary in 2023 than the Lions had last year. On the other hand, Joseph is stepping up as a vocal leader on the field, following the examples set by new Lion DB CJ Gardner-Johnson and CB Cam Sutton.