ALLEN PARK: According to Tuesday’s transaction wire, the Detroit Lions are hosting three free-agent defenders for tryouts, including the CFL’s reigning top defensive player.
They tested defensive end Mathieu Betts, as well as cornerbacks Thomas Graham Jr. and Jace Whittaker. Finding consistent defensive line and secondary play has been one of this team’s major weaknesses this season, so that bears watching.
This season, the Lions’ defensive line has been led by Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill. Hutchinson has been a one-man show when it comes to applying pressure, and McNeill is still on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Bruce Irvin, 36, has been a bright spot in his brief appearances. However, an ankle injury has already cost him a trip, making consistent production difficult. Josh Paschal has improved significantly down the stretch, and his inside-outside versatility could be useful as the Lions try to find the right combinations.
After starring for the BC Lions the last two seasons, Betts is the CFL’s reigning most outstanding defensive player. Last season, Betts had 18 sacks and four forced fumbles in 18 games. That was a significant improvement over his seven-sack rookie season with the BC Lions in 2022.
The defensive end also participated in the 2019 East-West Shrine college football showcase. Betts joined the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent and made it until the final round of cuts before heading north to the CFL.
The Bears selected Graham in the sixth round out of Oregon in 2021. He played his first two seasons in Chicago and parts of last season with the Cleveland Browns. He played in 11 games for the Browns, starting one, and was last seen in action in 2022.
Whittaker signed as an undrafted rookie with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022. He made it through training camp with the Washington Commanders last season but was released in the final round of cuts. Whittaker played the most defensive snaps of his career last season and, like Graham, contributes to special teams. And that could come in handy with Khalil Dorsey, who started at cornerback for the Lions last season.
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