Caraun Reid

Can Caraun Reid start for Detroit Lions at defensive tackle?

Published Jul. 8, 2015 1:11 p.m. ET

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To help weather the loss of star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, as well as supplementary pieces Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley, the Detroit Lions traded for former Baltimore Raven Haloti Ngata and picked up former New Orleans Saint Tyrunn Walker in free agency.

While Ngata is a virtual lock to start, Justin Rogers of MLive.com believes Caraun Reid can overtake Walker as the favorite to start beside him.

"After a nondescript rookie campaign, where he recorded just two tackles, Reid clearly put in some serious work this offseason, coming into OTAs looking chiseled," Rogers wrote in his analysis of the D-tackle position. "He's also displayed excellent burst off the ball, getting plenty of run with the first-team defense during those early practices.

"Practicing well is a good start, but Reid must carry the production into the preseason if he's going to beat out Walker for a starting job next to Ngata."

Reid was a fifth-round pick out of Princeton last year. He played in 12 games last year and made only two tackles, so his sudden surge is certainly surprising. The tiny opening between Ngata and Walker could be all Reid needs to reach stardom in Detroit's defense.

Rogers also names fourth-round rookie Gabe Wright, an Auburn product, as a dark-horse candidate to win the starting job. He also mentions that the Lions have a handful of defensive ends with the potential to line up at tackle, including Jason Jones, Corey Wootton and Devin Taylor.

(h/t MLive.com)

Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports

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