jason-jones.jpg

New Detroit Lions defensive end Jason Jones will start in place of Cliff Avril, who averaged 10 sacks and three forced fumbles over the past three seasons.

(Justin Rogers | MLive.com)

The Detroit Lions are looking to bounce back after last season's dismal 4-12 finish.

While every player has a role, some are more important than others. Here's the third segment of our week-long look at the 25 players most critical to the team's success in 2013.

15. Rob Sims, G (Last season: No. 22)

With all the instability along Detroit's offensive line, Sims is a constant. He's consistent in pass protection and despite adding 15 pounds last offseason, he still moves well laterally, regularly being asked to pull in Detroit's run blocking scheme.

Sims has grown accustomed to operating between Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola over the years, but the guard will need to adjust with Riley Reiff taking over for Backus this season. The pair will have to get on the same page quickly as opposing defenses will utilize plenty of twists and stunts attempting to disrupt quarterback Matthew Stafford from the blind side.

14. Brandon Pettigrew, TE (Last season: No. 21)

Pettigrew had his best season during the Lions' 2011 playoff campaign, setting career marks with 83 catches, 777 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He came into last season talking about joining the upper-echelon at his position, but admittedly regressed, especially with drops and fumbles. It's fair to pin some of those struggles on knee issues that bothered him throughout the year.

There's no denying the importance of Pettigrew in Detroit's offense. He's not so much a downfield option, like a Jimmy Graham or Antonio Gates, but he's a security blanket for Stafford over the middle of the field in short to intermediate zones. The Lions need Pettigrew to return to the level he played at two seasons ago.

13. Darius Slay, CB (Last season: Not ranked)

The Lions didn't draft Slay at the top of the second round to be a backup. He has the size and speed of Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood, but Slay played against a much higher level of competition in college and should be a more polished player despite being a rookie.

Even after missing much of the early offseason program recovering from minor knee surgery, Slay flashed tantalizing potential as a ball hawk during the team's three minicamp practices in June, intercepting a handful of passes and batting away several more.

12. Stephen Tulloch, LB (Last season: No. 8)

Tulloch is a model of consistency for the Lions. He's durable, starting all 32 games since signing with Detroit two years ago, and he's had steady production, tallying 111 and 112 tackles in those seasons.

Tulloch has shown leadership traits from the moment he put on a Lions jersey, but with the departure of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams, the Lions will lean on the veteran linebacker more this season to be a guiding voice for the team's young defense.

11. Jason Jones, DE (Last season: Not ranked)

Detroit overhauled its defensive line this offseason, particularly at end, releasing Kyle Vanden Bosch and letting Cliff Avril walk in free agency. The team quickly signed Jason Jones to a three-year deal with the clear goal to get bigger and longer at the position.

Jones can play both end and tackle, but he's slotted to start as an outside rusher on the left side. Avril averaged 10 sacks and three forced fumbles from that spot the past three seasons, so Jones needs to be productive. He should get plenty of opportunities to use his long limbs to bring down opposing quarterbacks with Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh collapsing the pocket.