After existing in irrelevancy and failure for as long as we can remember, there is genuine light at the end of the Detroit Lions’ tunnel!
Strength
When Detroit hired head coach Dan Campbell, it was clear what he wanted to do: build through the lines. The Lions on paper shape to be one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Frank Ragnow is one of the best centres in the league, second-year pro Penei Sewell has the tools to be an All-Pro calibre player and Taylor Decker has been solid as a rock. Campbell has seriously conceded at building from the inside out.
Weakness
The Lions struggled in many areas last season, but the stat that sticks out was the massive 7.2 yards conceded per passing attempt, ranking dead last in the NFL. This is a real area of concern and considering they drafted Jeff Okudah third overall in 2020, it is something they have been actively trying to fix. Unfortunately for all parties, Okudah tore his achilles last season, can he make a difference this season?
Player to watch
My favourite player in the NFL draft is Jameson Williams, the wide receiver from Alabama. The Lions moved up with division rival Minnesota Vikings to draft Williams, despite him rehabbing from a torn ACL in January. He has speed you can’t teach and an ability to turn any pass into a touchdown. I’m not sure when he will get on the field despite positive reports about his rehab but keep an eye out for him when he does because the kid will be a genuine difference-maker.
Who’s under pressure?
For someone who is about to get paid $31 million this season, Jared Goff needs to be a lot better than he was last season. It was always going to be a risk taking him in the Matthew Stafford trade, but 3,245 yards 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions aren’t numbers to excite anyone. With a better group of weapons around him and the offensive line I discussed earlier, if he can’t produce this season he is never going to.
Projection
There is a lot of excitement around the Lions for the first time in a long time which is awesome to see as a neutral. But we need to keep our expectations tempered considering their secondary is still an area of concern and the quarterback-play, despite upgraded weapons, is still questionable at best.
Considering their history, it would be cool to see Detroit make a playoff run but I don’t think it’s this season.
Win-loss: 5-12
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
I notice that Pro Football Network have done a 2023 mock draft and have the Lions picking 3rd and taking Bryce Young. I'm not sure the Lions will be bad enough to pick 3rd next year, if they are then they'll need a future franchise QB like Young. At least the Lions will have got the O-line in place before drafting their franchise QB, unlike the Bengals!
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
The big difference between this team and the Stafford teams is that this O-Line is really good. If they can get a C.J Stroud, Bryce Young or even Will Levis in next years draft I think they can be good
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
I think if they can upgrade QB during the next draft and maybe sign a top tier cornerback in free agency this team can be a playoff team, superbowl is hard to project but they are at least on the right track!
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
Detroit seem to be a side who consistently underperform and so this is just the latest in a long line of re-builds. Goff doesn't seem to me to be the QB you build your franchise around, but then they had no success when building around Stafford, who is demonstrably better. I like Campbell's idea of building from the trenches first, and drafting Penei Sewell (OT) in the 1st round last year and Aidan Hutchinson (DE) in the 1st round this year helps. Add in another 3 defensive linemen in the opening rounds of the last two drafts and the Lions could have the makings of a formidable unit for years to come. That said, there isn't a lot of top talent in the skill positions (and that which is has been injury prone) and 5-12 sounds like a reasonable bet to me.
Steven Case
Guest
All these A & A+ in the draft and FA when is the latest to expect a run for the super bowl. I was 5 when they last won championship . I'll be 70 this season, time is running out.