The former Michigan standout and Marcus Davenport, alongside interior defensive linemen DJ Reader, have been some of the top standouts to open training camp. Davenport has looked like the strong bull rusher the Lions need on the other side, reminding all that his struggles have never been about talent or fit, but simply availability.

Ahmed Hassanein has plenty of development in front of him, but Kelvin Sheppard is confident the Lions rookie can reach whatever his ceiling is.

Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard had grand praise for Aidan Hutchinson. “I see a better player than we had last year,” he said. “You might be like, 'Whoa!' That's the same thing I said when I saw him out there,

Owen Farrell was on Thursday named on the British and Irish Lions' bench for the second Test against Australia, one of seven changes to the matchday 23 as the tourists look to clinch the series in Melbourne.

The Detroit Lions have plenty of talent to work with on defense in Kelvin Sheppard's first season as coordinator, including familiar faces Aidan Hutchinson, Derrick Barnes and others on the verge of returning to regular season action from injury.