Detroit Lions safety Miles Killebrew had a late-season break out as a rookie last year. He slowly saw more and more snaps as the season went on, becoming a third-down specialist.

The Southern Utah product was expected to have an expanded role in his sophomore year, and he we saw the first signs of that in Detroit’s opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

Killebrew saw extended playing time on both defense and special teams. He was on the field for nine of the Cardinals’ 15 third-down plays, as well as their lone fourth-down attempt. Tavon Wilson took the majority of snaps at strong safety throughout the game, with Killebrew coming on as the Lions closed the game out.

Killebrew’s third-down prowess is mainly due to his amazing instincts. He has a high football IQ, and a knack to be at the right place at the right time. His instincts helped him sniff out a screen play on third down in the red zone:

He stays disciplined as the play develops in front of him. Once he sees the screen, he bursts into the backfield to blow up the play before the blockers can even set up.

The majority of Killebrew’s snaps saw him drop back into zone coverage where he can make the most of his instincts and anticipation. His late game pick-six—that sealed the game for the Lions—of a tipped pass was just another example of his knack for always being in the right spot.

Carson Palmer overthrows receiver Larry Fitzgerald as the pressure reaches him and the ball is tipped into the air. Killebrew is right there in centerfield to grab it and take it the other way for a score.

Although he excels in zone coverage, Killebrew does have his issues when called into action in man coverage. He had a nice pass break up in the third quarter, but also gave up a touchdown and another 11-yard reception the other two times he was targeted. A strong safety not being at his best in man coverage, though, is not much to worry about.

Killebrew only lined up in the box once during the week one game, and the Lions used him in a creative way to set up a sack on third down.

Detroit lines up in a 3-3 defense. Akeem Spence (No. 97) is lined up as the nose tackle with Anthony Zettel (No. 69) and Killebrew are lined up on each edge. Ziggy Ansah (No. 94) and Tavon Wilson (No. 32) are lined up on the second level alongside Jarred Davis (No. 40). Glover Quin (No. 27) is creeping up from his safety spot. Killebrew initially shows blitz, then sprints back into zone coverage. This leaves the tackle vulnerable for a moment, and the guard on his side is forced to help as Spence runs a stunt into the spot Killebrew was previously in. Ansah rushes from his spot right up the middle. Quandre Diggs (No. 28) comes flying in from the secondary, helping to free up Zettel off the edge for a sack.

The play was not made by Killebrew, but he played a part in what was an impressive and extremely complicated blitz.

Detroit’s secondary might be the strongest unit of their defense this season, and Killebrew is emerging as an important part of the team. His role should only grow as the season progresses—and one day soon, he may even take over as a starting safety.

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