Aidan Hutchinson is locked in, but the Lions' defense still has one concern

The Detroit Lions' defense looks better today than it did a year ago. That's the good news. This team has added some help for edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, thankfully, in edge rushers D.J. Wonnum and Payton Turner in free agency and rookie Derrick Moore in the second round of the NFL draft. Those are all roster additions that will help Hutchinson.

But, Hutch is still the crowned jewel of this team's defense. That's not changing. What also isn't changing is that there are a few questions on defense that have yet to be answered.

Lions have a major concern in the secondary

On Monday, Todd Archer of ESPN released a 53-man roster projection for the Lions. In it, he notes that Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch potentially starting on IR is a massive roster concern for Detroit.

He's not wrong. The secondary is an issue right now. This team has Super Bowl expectations and hopes, so starting the year without two All-Pro/Pro Bowl-caliber backend defenders is difficult and puts a lot of pressure on the cornerback room and pass rush.

As he puts it, there are "some lingering concerns within the secondary," with those two "unlikely to be back" before the regular season starts. But, he adds, "the offense still has the potential to be one of the most explosive units in the league under first-year coordinator Drew Petzing."

No team is perfect going into the new season. For Detroit, not having Joseph and Branch will sting. But, with this powerful offense and having Hutchinson healthy, the Lions could get off to a solid start.

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