How Detroit Lions' 2013 Draft Class Will Impact 2015 Season

With great power comes great responsibility. That should be the motto for the Detroit Lions' 2013 draft class.

The age range for the Lions' contributors will stretch from rookie Ameer Abdullah to longtime veteran Rashean Mathis. However, the 2013 group—referenced above—will have an inordinate impact on the season's outcome, and this Detroit fan seems to agree:

"

@Redruckus81 My takeaway: Lions did nothing short of phenomenal in the 2013 draft

— see (@seenable) May 28, 2015"

It was inarguably general manager Martin Mayhew's best class from top to bottom. Now it's time for these players to take the step from solid contributors to standout leaders in all three phases of the game.

Dawn of a New(-ish) Defense

Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is the key returning defensive presence. He faces a much more difficult proposition than he walked into last season, replacing the cornerstone of his defense with Haloti Ngata and three unproven youngsters.

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

And that's why it's imperative that his unit sees an uptick in production from two young studs.

Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah has developed nicely since being taken fifth overall. The raw talent from Ghana has been molded into a run-stopping dynamo that has created an incredible amount of pressure. Pro Football Focus found that he had the second-highest pass-rushing productivity rate among 4-3 defensive ends because he racked up 64 total pressures.

While Ansah has yet to notch a double-digit sack total, there's reason for hope. All rookies experience a truncated offseason since they aren't selected until late April, and Ansah's training time last year was limited by a shoulder injury.

Austin thinks having that extra time this offseason will give him the lift he needs to smash through the 10-sack barrier. Per Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News, Austin recently told a gathering of fans at an event that "[they]'re looking forward to Ziggy really having his first offseason and getting into great shape and having a great year and having the stamina to finish well." 

There should be some help on the outside to help Ansah accomplish his goal. Second-round pick Darius Slay started putting everything together in 2014, finishing as a top-20 cornerback, per PFF, and officially reviving the finger wag as a post-play celebration. Oh, and there's also this little gem, per Joe Chapp of Detroit Jock City:

"

And Darius Slay had more passes defended then Richard Sherman and Revis. #Lions

— Joe Chapp (@JoeChappDetroit) May 15, 2015"

Slay has the talent and drive to become a No. 1 cornerback. If he can realize his potential, it'll give the defensive front time to develop a new identity because quarterbacks will have their top option taken off the table more often than not.

Lastly, Devin Taylor needs to turn it around a bit. He often looked good during his rookie year, with 21 quarterback pressures and 10 defensive stops in 308 snaps. But he couldn't beat out guys like George Johnson and Darryl Tapp last preseason, leading to a drop in production and just 245 snaps.

With Johnson gone, there is a huge need for a reserve defensive end to emerge. Maybe that guy is Devin Taylor. Maybe it's Larry Webster. But this is another area where the 2013 class can have an impact. And for Taylor, it could be a make-or-break season that decides his future in Detroit.

Despite last year's disappointing season, Austin thinks Taylor is set to make his own break, per Justin Rogers of Mlive.com:

"

Devin looks really good so far. He looks more explosive than he was last year. He looks stronger, so we're pleased with where he is. We just have to get him to continue to develop and take that into the games so we can get more out of him, so he can get more out of himself, really.

"

Special and Steady

It was easy to mock the Lions for drafting a punter in the fifth round a couple of years ago. However, after two years, it's Sam Martin who does the guffawing. Usually.

Lost amid the pass-interference outrage was his 10-yard punt that set Dallas up with great field position. He had a chance to bury the Boys and let the opportunity slide off the side of his foot. It appears, however, that he's handling it well (h/t Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press):

"

It's one play. I let it go, but you guys always bring it back up. Other than that, I've forgotten about it. No, that's just another play, man. I'm moving on. Got another punt here coming up not too far away that I'm going to have to execute on, so I'm not even thinking about it.

"

That's the proper attitude for a specialist. If you dwell on a past mistake, it'll affect your future performance. Plus, he has the track record to back up his approach.

He graded out as the third-best punter in football last season. His numbers weren't insane (25 punts down inside the 20 and a 39.4 net average), but he often executed well based on the situation and can be trusted to coffin corner a punt at any time.

Well, almost.

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Go on the Offensive

Detroit's defense could take a few games to find its way. And frankly, it may never be as good as it once was. So the pressure will shift squarely to the offense, where the offensive line is in search of a new identity.

That's why offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn told guard Larry Warford (former third-rounder) that they'd be "'coming off the ball,'" per John Niyo of the Detroit News. And that should fit this group well.

Warford is an aggressive guard with power and mobility. The reduction of the system to a more power-based scheme will let him and new arrival Laken Tomlinson do what they do best—getting off the line and bringing the fit to a defense. But it will be up to Warford as the second-most senior lineman to set the tone and help the rookie transition.

Detroit would love to count on his 2013 classmate to regain his former glory, but LaAdrian Waddle's status for September is up in the air (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press):

"

Lions RT LaAdrian Waddle (ACL): "I'm doing everything I can to be out there Week 1 and kick some ass" http://t.co/OiESQpcf8h via @freep

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 15, 2015"

The offensive line would take a big step back without a healthy Waddle as it did in 2014. Cornelius Lucas was learning, which is why he gave up more hurries, sacks and hits (27 combined) than Waddle (19) in fewer snaps. There's no telling how far along he'll be this year, and 2015 seventh-round pick Corey Robinson probably won't add anything better this early.

If the line gets set, the offense has the ability to explode, and two more 2013 rookies will be looking to carve out contributing roles.

The backfield will be crowded and explosive. Theo Riddick is a pass-catching dynamo who can be Detroit's Darren Sproles, which would complement Joique Bell and Ameer Abdullah perfectly, as Katzenstein's analysis illustrates:

"

Theo Riddick looked really good today. Tough to compare with Bell and Abdullah out, but he was shifty, quick and sure-handed.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 27, 2015"

And tight end Joseph Fauria can still be a valuable target for quarterback Matthew Stafford. His 6'7" frame can't be coached, and as his seven 2013 touchdowns prove, he knows how to use it in the end zone. With sixth-rounder Corey Fuller also looking for an expanded role as the speed receiver, each will need to carve out their own niche since receptions will be limited behind Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Eric Ebron.

In all, that's nine players who have a chance to play significant roles in 2015. Three have the potential to finish the season among the best at their positions. That truly is a lot of power, now let's see if the class can handle the responsibility.

Stats are courtesy of Pro Football Focus, unless noted otherwise.