For the first half of the season, the Detroit Lions defense was something we haven’t seen in a decade. By many metrics, they were either the top or second-best in the NFL, and when paired with the league’s most explosive offense, Detroit seemed unstoppable.
Sadly, injuries took a heavy toll on the Lions defense, and it collapsed in a dramatic fashion. Despite this, there were still several standout performances on that side of the ball throughout the season. So, let’s celebrate them with our 2024 Pride of Detroit award: Detroit Lions Defensive Player of the Year.
Below are our staff’s picks, but your vote at the end of the article will determine the winner. Breakout Player of the Year Special Teams Player of the Year Rookie of the Year Coach of the Year Game of the Year 2024 Detroit Lions Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Knapp: Kerby Joseph
If Aidan Hutchinson had played the full season, this award would have been his, but Kerby deserves it after his exceptional season. He led the NFL in interceptions with nine, and his picks weren’t just easy or meaningless; many of them came in clutch moments when the team needed a stop or a turnover. While Joseph had help early on with Brian Branch and the defensive line, when injuries started piling up, he didn’t falter and kept playing at a high level.
Meko Scott: Kerby Joseph
To be transparent, I had some doubts about Kerby Joseph going into the season. I wasn’t too impressed with his play in 2023-2024, but he quickly silenced those concerns this year. Joseph was outstanding in nearly every area. His growth in understanding assignments, tackling, and most importantly creating turnovers was remarkable. He has gone from an average safety to potentially the best free safety in the league.
John Whiticar: Aidan Hutchinson
It’s strange to give this award to a player who only played five games, but those five games were so incredible. Hutchinson was leading the league in pressures until November—despite being injured in mid-October! After playing just five games, his 45 pressures were still second on the team for the entire season. He led the team in sacks. The Lions didn’t miss out on a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, we were just robbed of a historic season.
Jeremy Reisman: Kerby Joseph
It’s easy to focus on the interceptions, but Joseph’s real impact was in taking away the deep part of the field. Despite facing the most deep passing attempts in the league, the Lions defense allowed only four deep passing TDs (t-eighth best) and posted a +0.12 EPA allowed per attempt (11th). Teams kept testing Detroit, and Joseph kept punishing them. He also achieved career-high marks in run defense (83.6 grade) and tackling (86.9 grade).
Hamza Baccouche: Carlton Davis III
Davis stepped in and thrived in the CB1 role immediately. He was also excellent in run support, playing close to the line of scrimmage and helping to cover for the loss of several linebackers. His value became even clearer when the Lions lost him to a broken jaw. Davis made a strong case for why the Lions should bring him back.
Max Gerber: Kerby Joseph
The league leader in interceptions was, once again, Detroit’s most clutch defender. Joseph’s late-game heroics were crucial in victories over Seattle and San Francisco. The third-year safety finished with 83 tackles and allowed just one touchdown in coverage. It’s mind-boggling that he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl despite leading fan voting.
Erik Schlitt: Brian Branch
Branch’s transition from nickel to safety in the offseason elevated his game significantly. Already known as one of the best nickelbacks in the NFL, his move to safety allowed him to make even more game-changing plays. The most impressive part was that Branch was still growing and figuring out how to push his limits, which should be terrifying for opposing offenses.
Ty Schalter: Alex Anzalone
Before the season, I thought Aidan Hutchinson would win the league-wide version of this award. Before Carlton Davis got hurt, I would have chosen him. But no matter how many injuries piled up, everything was fine until Anzalone went down—and when he returned, the defense put up one of its best performances of the season in Week 18.
Al Karsten: Kerby Joseph
The third-year pro had a career year, earning First Team All-Pro honors and finishing sixth in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting while leading the league in interceptions. Alongside his partner Brian Branch, Joseph was the backbone of the Lions defense.
On the season, Joseph recorded 83 tackles, a tackle for loss, nine interceptions, 12 passes defensed, and a game-changing pick-six against the Packers in Week 9. He also led the NFL with a 25.4 passer rating allowed and a -55.3 coverage EPA, the best mark in the last five years. Joseph consistently showed up when it mattered most, providing the reliable playmaking the Lions defense desperately needed.
Morgan Cannon: Kerby Joseph
Who cares about a Pro Bowl snub when you’ve got nine interceptions and a First Team All-Pro honor? Joseph made numerous huge plays in key moments for the Lions in 2024. Furthermore, his improvement in other areas has quickly made him one of the top safeties in the NFL.
Ryan Mathews: Kerby Joseph
Kerby’s 2024 season cemented him as one of the league’s premier safeties. His play—and availability—on the backend provided much-needed stability, and his nine interceptions were pivotal for the team’s success.