Notes: Detroit Lions defensive line listed as one of NFL’s most underrated units

Last year at this time of the year, Detroit Lions fans were extremely concerned about the status of the team’s defensive line. Ezekiel Ansah was struggling with injury issues, and Detroit didn’t seem to have a promising prospect anywhere else. There was potential, but nothing more.

Detroit is entering OTAs with a very different situation. With Damon Harrison Sr. in tow, along with the sudden developments of A’Shawn Robinson and Da’Shawn Hand, the defensive line is looking like a pretty big strength. Oh, and instead of the unreliable Ziggy Ansah, the Lions now have the crown of free agency in Trey Flowers.

Of course, much of the league hasn’t taken notice yet. But one national analyst who has is Danny Kelly of The Ringer. Kelly listed the Lions’ defensive line as one of the seven most underrated units in the NFL.

“The Lions already boast a strong run defense, but the addition of Flowers—who tied for 10th among all edge defenders last year in pressures, per Pro Football Focus, with 64—could really augment their anemic pass rush,” Kelly wrote.

At this point in the offseason, everything remains hypothetical. But Detroit’s defensive front does look impressive on paper, and it’s nice to see at least one publication recognize that.

• The Lions haven’t signed any former AAF players, but they did bring one in recently.

• Lions second-round pick Jahlani Tavai has been ignoring the public reaction to the Lions picking him “early” because “lions don’t listen to the opinion of goats or whatever.”

• After working with the first-team offense during OTAs on Tuesday, Lions receiver Danny Amendola strolled over to Comerica Park to hit some dingers with the Tigers:

• Mark Schofield of Pats Pulpit has a very interesting breakdown of a familiar defensive scheme New England—and the Lions—deploy very often. Highly recommended Xs and Os post, if that’s your thing.

• Congrats to DetroitLions.com’s Mike O’Hara!

• ESPN’s Mike Clay, who you may remember as the analyst that said Detroit had the best offseason, offered his 2019 projections for the team. In Clay’s crystal ball, Kerryon Johnson becomes the first Lions running back to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing since Reggie Bush.