Hopes were high for cornerback Darius Slay when he was drafted in the second round in 2013. He started the first two games last season but was benched early. That doesn’t mean he is a failure, cornerback is one of the toughest positions to master in the NFL.

Still the Lions need him to step up this season and here are three reasons why:

1. Cornerback is always a problem position for the Lions like it is for many other NFL teams. This season is no different. The Lions have numbers, but they’re counting on Slay to develop into a starter  — sooner rather than later. This is especially important with Chris Houston gone.

2. Slay was a second-round pick. The Lions saw something they liked in him at Mississippi State. He has to bring his college game up to the NFL level. They need value for that pick.

3. Slay’s looked better in the offseason and minicamp which is a good sign. It’s a new defense and he has a new coach in Tony Oden. This is Slay’s time. 

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)