The bye week for the Detroit Lions is a good time to take a look back at the first six games and evaluate some individual performances.
Let's look at five players who have impressed so far.
**Glover Quin, S
**
He's the unequivocal leader on Detroit's defense, and one of its main floor generals. The Lions are certainly hoping the head injury he suffered last week in New Orleans isn't serious enough to break his consecutive streak of 122 starts.
Quin is currently graded as the second best safety in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. He's been as steady as they come roaming the deep secondary for the Lions the last four-plus seasons. His two interceptions this year are second to only Darius Slay's three for the team lead. He returned one of those interceptions back for a touchdown vs. Atlanta. His forced fumble in Minnesota sealed that victory. He's a big-play threat for the Lions' defense.
Jamal Agnew, CB/KR
The Lions look to have found their return man for the foreseeable future.
In the third quarter at New Orleans, the rookie returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown, his second of the season. He joined Hall of Fame cornerback Jack Christiansen (four in 1951) as the only rookies in Lions history to return two-plus punts for touchdowns.
Agnew became the fifth Lions player ever to record two-plus punt return touchdowns in a season, joining Christiansen (four in 1951, two in 1952), Tom Watkins (two in 1964), Eddie Drummond (two in 2004) and Andre Roberts (two in 2016).
Agnew currently leads the NFL with a 23.7 average per punt return.
**Darren Fells, TE
**
Fells caught a 22-yard touchdown in last week's 52-38 loss in New Orleans, giving him three touchdowns on the season, which ties a career high and is tied with Marvin Jones Jr. for the team lead.
Fells has proven he can be much more than the blocking specialist he was signed in free agency to be. It's been important early on this season with former first-round pick Eric Ebron struggling with drops and some inconsistent play.
Fells has caught 10 of his 13 targets, and has played more reps than Ebron in four of Detroit's six contests this season.
Golden Tate, WR
Tate has been Matthew Stafford's most reliable weapon through the first six games. He leads to team in receptions (36) and yards (363). Like Quin, the Lions are hoping the shoulder injury that forced him out of last week's contest won't keep him out too long.
Tate's ability to play all three receiver spots has been invaluable to this offense. He leads the NFL with 13 catches on third down. He's been particularly good when playing out of the slot. His 29 catches out of the slot lead the league.
Anthony Zettel, DE
The Lions needed another pass rusher to step up after the loss of Kerry Hyder Jr. in the preseason. Zettel has done just that.
He's currently ranked among the top-10 4-3 defensive ends by PFF, performing equally as good against the run as the pass. His four sacks rank in the top 10 in the league at the position. His 15 quarterback hurries rank in the top 11.
