Positional Analysis: Defensive Ends...

Right End

1. Dewayne White: White has had a solid five year career so far, as he begins his second year starting full time for the Lions. He played extremely well last year until an injury in the Denver Bronco game slowed him down. He had only one sack in the second half of the year, which partly explains some of the Lions defensive problems. For the year, he had 6.5 sacks, although three were against his former team, Tampa Bay. He's also shown that he has superb awareness, as he has shown up big in coverage when dropping back. The Lions need him to provide double digit sack production.

2. Cliff Avril: Although viewed as a tweener entering the draft, Avril had shown during the NFL combine that he was to be reckoned with a 4.5 showing in the forty yard dash, far outdistancing his competition. One would think that he's stuck with the "third down pass rusher" label, but he does have good secondary moves. He has shown during practice, though, that when he's stopped, he's done for good; so he's got to fight that out. He'll get a couple of sacks just from pure speed, but he's also got to produce at other times. He could be a future starter at right defensive end, which is a huge return for a late third round pick.

3. Corey Smith: He has shown that he's a very valuable player, but is also a redundant player, and may get cut if the Lions are in a tight roster squeeze. He'll be 29 in October, so his spot could go to a younger player, although Smith's value is felt on third down and on special teams.

Left End

1. Jared DeVries: Now in his 10th year, DeVries has battled his way from being inactive in the first two games last year, to being one of the Lions most valued linemen. He had 6.5 sacks, with 3 coming in a home win against Chicago (sound familiar?), so he needs to maintain production throughout the season. He will probably see less time on passing downs, due to the development of Ikaika Alama-Francis. This should keep him fresher later in the year, since his production let down later in the year last year.

2. Ikaika Alama-Francis: Drafted in the second round last year as a raw project, Alama-Francis may start to show his vast potential soon, as he transitions to becoming a key member along the defensive line. He is much more physically talented than Jared DeVries, and he needs to produce and become the go-to guy at left defensive end. If he is "the guy" at left end, and Avril is "the guy" at right end, then the Lions are set up pretty well in the future. If not, the Lions need to keep working at it, although you can never have enough good pass rushers. Ask the New York Giants.