Kelvin Sheppard offers massive praise for key Lions' defender before Week 1

The Detroit Lions are getting ready for Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, and while much of the focus remains on the offense, the defense has also been steadily impressing this offseason.

In last season's win against the Packers at Lambeau Field, the Lions allowed just 14 points. They held Green Bay out of the end zone until the fourth-quarter, and were very opportunistic in a 10 point win. If the Lions are to start 2025 strong, it will likely have to start on the defensive side.

Kelvin Sheppard is getting ready for his first game as defensive coordinator, and is ready for a new challenge. In order for Sheppard to have success, he will be counting on several players to step up and many youngsters to have strides in their development.

Terrion Arnold is one of the key players who the Lions could use to step up. The good news? That's exactly what Sheppard believes will happen. On the "Bleav in Lions" podcast, Sheppard told Glover Quin and Trevor Thompson that Arnold is the player he is most excited for this season.

"If you ask me one player, young player, up and comer, kind of not a surprise because we took him in the first-round. That comes with expectations, but that doesn't mean they're a ready-made player. The job that Deshea (Townsend) has done with that player, he's looking like a CB1 that could go follow people and do it on a consistent basis. It's Terrion (Arnold)."

Arnold has picked up plenty of hype this offseason, and has seemingly taken major strides in his development as well as his leadership. It's good news to hear that Sheppard is excited to see what he can do, because he's been watching all players closely for months. Arnold's potential dominance would mean a great deal to the Detroit defense this season.

Sheppard credits DJ Reed for helping Arnold and other Lions along

How has Arnold turned things around so fast? Sheppard gives much of the credit to defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend, who has applied some of his first-hand knowledge from playing the game. Additionally, Reed's arrival in the cornerback room has meant a great deal to the youngster.

Arnold is now carrying himself like a pro, and that's because Reed has set a strong example for him to follow. As Sheppard explains, that has helped accelerate Arnold's development before the season.

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"I think it's a mix of the development and growth that Deshea's worked with him on, but the addition of DJ Reed has added a level of maturity to that room, but also a level of detail that I'm not going to say has been missing, It's just, the standard is set now. DJ sets the standard for the way our corners operate, and if you fall short, you're going to stick out like a sore thumb."

"I think Arnold has grabbed that baton and he's following DJ, but he's doing it in his own way, too. They're two different players, but Arnold, I've been thoroughly impressed with him, not only in training camp, but also the things he was doing in the spring."

The excitement about Arnold has built to a chreshedo just before the season. Soon enough, everyone will get to see what Sheppard and others are so fired up about.