The coaching staff and players of the Detroit Lions have Super Bowl experience, despite the team’s lack of Super Bowl experience overall. It wouldn’t hurt to increase free agency a little bit, though. With free agent CB Ronald Darby, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggested that the Lions ought to think about doing that.
Ballentine listed Darby as one of seven 2024 free agents that might go unnoticed on February 18. Ballentine listed Detroit as one of Darby’s two potential possibilities.
“The market for Darby will probably be negatively impacted by a few worries. Ballentine noted, “He’s thirty years old and has had two ACL injuries in his career. However, this season, none of that seemed to harm him.
“With his exceptional speed, the veteran didn’t appear to be slowing down during the previous season.” Given his age and injury history, he should perform better on whatever contract he ends up signing if he stays healthy.
Darby has 97 pass defenses and 8 interceptions in nine seasons in the NFL. He racked up 28 total tackles in 2023 while playing for the Baltimore Ravens, including 1 tackle for loss and 7 pass defenses.
Why Ronald Darby Could Be a Fit for the Lions
Because the Lions would probably be looking to improve their pass defense this offseason, Ballentine made the connection between Darby and the organization.
Detroit ranked 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt and 27th in pass defense at the end of the 2023 campaign. In the postseason, the Lions gave up 8.6 yards per pass attempt and 311.3 passing yards per game.
Detroit’s first two postseason games were close due to the team’s subpar pass defense. The San Francisco 49ers’ effective passing game then enabled them to overcome a 17-point deficit at halftime in the NFC championship game.
Darby, who is thirty years old, is not a long-term fit for the Lions secondary. But if a club is in the running for the Super Bowl next year, he might be an upgrade.
In the 2015 NFL Draft, Darby was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round. Prior to the 2017 season, the Bills traded him to the Eagles after he spent two seasons in Buffalo.
Darby struggled with injuries throughout his three years in Philadelphia. Both the 2018 and 2019 seasons concluded with him on injured reserve. However, he had 15 pass defenses, including playoff ones, and had a career-high 3 interceptions to help the Eagles win the 2017–18 Super Bowl.
Darby struggled with injuries throughout his three years in Philadelphia. Both the 2018 and 2019 seasons concluded with him on injured reserve. However, he had 15 pass defenses, including playoff ones, and had a career-high 3 interceptions to help the Eagles win the 2017–18 Super Bowl.
Darby has been a member of the Denver Broncos, Washington Football Team, and Ravens since 2020. He had his first ruptured ACL in 2018 and then another in 2022.
In his nine-year career, Darby has just twice played in 16 games in a season. However, that season and the previous one were both inside the previous four years.
