Kelvinn Sheppard Sees Breakout Potential All Over This Defense
The Detroit Lions came into this offseason with one clear plan on defense: flood the roster with competition and see who rises to the top. It’s the Brad Holmes way, and after watching him work for five years now, you start to trust the process even when you can’t see the full picture yet.
Lions defensive coordinator Kelvinn Sheppard sat down with Fox 2’s Sports Office show this week and dropped some names that should get your attention. Three players in particular caught his eye as potential breakout candidates, and one of them is a former first-round pick who’s been bouncing around the league looking for a home.
Payton Turner Could Finally Find His Game
Turner was the 28th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but his career hasn’t exactly screamed first-round pedigree. The Lions will be his third team, which tells you everything you need to know about how things have gone so far.
This is classic Brad Holmes tire-kicking at its finest. Low risk, potentially high reward. Sheppard believes this could be the year “the light comes on” for Turner, which is coach speak for hoping a guy finally puts it all together.
Here’s the thing though. The Lions have a track record with reclamation projects on the edge. Al-Quadin Muhammad, John Cominsky, Charles Harris. All guys who found new life in Allen Park. Turner has shown flashes of why he was drafted where he was, but staying healthy has been the issue.
Nobody’s expecting Pro Bowl numbers here. But solid rotational depth on pass-rushing downs? That’s exactly what this defense needs.
Tyleik Williams Making Year Two Jump
This one might be the most interesting name Sheppard mentioned. Williams apparently looked better on tape than anyone realized during the season, which happens more than you’d think when you’re grinding through 17 games.
“He’s done a tremendous job getting himself in shape, but I don’t want to get lost in the shuffle like last year was a wash,” Sheppard said. “He did some very good things, especially when we went back and attacked the self scout. It was actually better than we thought it was during the season. So we’re very excited for the year one and year two leap.”
Williams draws comparisons to Alim McNeill’s early development, and if you’ve watched both players, it’s hard to argue. Same versatility along the line, same ability to rush the passer beyond just stuffing the run. McNeill took a massive step forward, and Williams could be tracking the same path.
Push from the middle of this defense could be exactly what takes it to the next level.
Roger McCreary Hype Train Leaving the Station
This is the second time McCreary’s name has come up this week, and the buzz around him is getting real. Sheppard says he’s already popped in these early practices, which means something when you consider it’s still pajama party season.
McCreary was a starting slot corner for the Titans before injuries derailed his time in Los Angeles after a trade deadline move. Now it looks like he’s ready to step into that starting role in Detroit, and if he can show what he did in Tennessee, this cornerback room suddenly looks a lot deeper than it did on paper.
The Lions need guys to stay healthy at corner, but if they do, McCreary could be the piece that makes this whole secondary click.
Three different guys, three different stories, but one common thread: competition breeds excellence. Holmes loaded this roster with options, and Sheppard is already seeing who wants to step up and claim their spot. Is this finally the year depth becomes a strength instead of a question mark? Drop your take below.
