Detroit Lions defensive assistant Brian Duker shows off a play to defensive backs during their training camp practice at their team headquarters in Allen Park, on Saturday, July 31, 2021.
ALLEN PARK — Brian Duker is heading to South Beach after spending the last three seasons with the Detroit Lions. NFL Network reports Duker will serve as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.
The Lions recently added defensive assistant Deshea Townsend as their cornerbacks coach and pass game coordinator. Duker was the defensive backs coach for the Lions this past season, with Dré Bly coaching the cornerbacks. They are also hiring Terrell Williams as the new defensive line coach and run game coordinator. It’s still unclear what the future holds for Bly, not to mention defensive line coach John Scott Jr.
Duker started as a defensive assistant in 2021, then moved to safeties coach in 2022. He took on more responsibility this past year overseeing the secondary and heads to Miami for what sounds to be an even more increased role.
He previously coached for the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens before landing with Dan Campbell’s first staff in Detroit.
The secondary has gone through many changes and bumps along the way during these previous three seasons. Outside cornerback is again expected to be a top priority for the franchise this offseason.
They signed cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Cam Sutton to try to fix that issue last season. Moseley lasted two snaps after a delayed return, with another ACL injury ending his season. Sutton was there every step of the way, with mixed returns. Jerry Jacobs, who replaced Moseley, was replaced by Kindle Vildor in the starting lineup in the season’s second half.
Brian Branch looks set to be one of the best nickelbacks in the league for years to come if he continues on the pace he established this year. The rookie was a Day 1 starter who shifted the team’s backfield from training camp to season’s end.
Another positive development has been the emergence of Ifeatu Melifonwu at safety. Melifonwu didn’t see the starting lineup until deep in the year, then broke out in a big way as one of the most important pieces down the stretch. Kerby Joseph has been another key piece through his first two seasons. But with Tracy Walker’s future looking murky in Detroit, there could be room for an addition back deep.
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