Willie

Young

Young has recovered a fumble, forced a sack, blocked a punt and intercepted a pass, following up an impressive offseason and training camp. “Let’s not put him in the Hall of Fame yet,” quipped coach Jim Schwartz while acknowledging that Young “makes a lot of plays.” While the Lions still have “every intention” of locking up franchise player Cliff Avril, Young is emerging as a fine fallback plan.

Young split first-team reps at left end before Cliff Avril reported on Sunday. “We expect a lot from him,” Schwartz said. “He’s made plays for us, he’s come a long way. ... (He needs to) keep grinding that attitude.” Efficient as a situational pass-rusher last season, Young could grease the skids for Avril’s departure in 2013 free agency if he’s similarly productive this year.

Mayhew believes Best is poised for a “breakout” year. His stellar offseason is encouraging news for a high-risk, high-reward fantasy back currently being drafted behind the likes of pedestrian talents Isaac Redman and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. A top-10 fantasy back in points per game last season, Best’s upside clearly outweighs the risk at the price of a late-sixth round draft pick.

Young took advantage of Cliff Avril’s absence in spring practices. Although he played just over 20 percent of the Lions’ defensive snaps, Young finished behind only Trent Cole, Jason Babin, and Chris Long in Pro Football Focus’ Pass Rushing Productivity rating last season, bringing pressure on one of every six plays. He’s an underrated member of Detroit’s imposing defensive front.

We typically don’t post information like this, but it’s an excuse to talk about Young, who was deemed Detroit’s “biggest breakout of this year’s preseason.” Head coach Jim Schwartz gave his third-year player a lot of love, and some thought Young could be the fallback plan to pending free agent Cliff Avril. Young has played in roughly 25-33 percent of the defensive snaps this season and has amassed a whopping seven tackles with zero sacks. The Lions don’t have an heir apparent to Avril on the current roster.

With Kyle Vanden Bosch released and free agent Cliff Avril soon to leave town, the Lions don’t want to lose any more in-house depth. Writer Tim Twentyman expects restricted free agent Willie Young to be tendered a contract even though he had a disappointing year in what some thought would be a breakout campaign.

With Cliff Avril and Lawrence Jackson on the free agent market and Kyle Vanden Bosch run out of MoTown, 27-year-old Young is currently the best defensive end on the Lions’ roster. Expect that to change dramatically before Week 1.

Young was tendered at the second-round level ($2.023 million), but has signed for something less than the tender amount. Young didn’t draw any interest on the restricted market, while the Lions have since signed DL Jason Jones. Defensive end remains a trouble spot for Detroit. Jones is better suited for the interior on passing downs, and Young has three sacks in 32 career games.

That’s $500,000 less than the second-round level Young was tendered at as a restricted free agent. It’s a sneaky tactic by the Lions, though Young could have forced his way to the open market by calling the Lions’ bluff and refusing to sign for less than his tender amount. The deal includes a $300,000 signing bonus. Young will compete for a starting job in camp, and should have the inside track on lining up opposite Jason Jones.

The Lions somehow committed five personal fouls in the exhibition tilt, living up to their bad reputation. “We didn’t want any more personal fouls,” Schwartz said succinctly afterward. Increased discipline will be a must if the Lions are to bounce-back from their disastrous 2012 in any meaningful way.