Offense 

This Lions offense really starts with what additions they made and losses they had up front along the OL. Losing Frank Ragnow to retirement this offseason was certainly a big blow to the talent of this OL group but just as importantly the leadership and locker room presence they’re losing with him as well is going to be missed very much. Now while I would be worried with most teams when they lose a top end C or really any position this late in the offseason the Lions did a great job at preparing for this decision from Ragnow or simply injuries if he had not retired with the additions of Miles Frazier (LSU) and Tate Ratledge (Georgia). Ratledge especially fits what they want from guys on this team and while he may not step into this C position and be Ragnow right away I believe he has all the tools to do and the best part is he was just as much of a positive locker room presence and leader for Georgia as Ragnow has been for the Lions (95% of Georgia’s 130 players voted for Ratledge to be a team captain – from Dane Brugler’s The Beast). Adding Miles Frazier as well was a big move for them and provides them with a real depth piece and/or someone that can compete with Christian Mahogany and Graham Glasgow for a starting spot. This OL group was one of the best groups in the league last year and in my opinion they only got better which should scare the rest of the NFC.

The weaponry here while not changing too much added some pieces to an already incredibly dangerous grouping that should add more consistency and depth to this lineup. While the RBroom didn’t change at all they didn’t really need to considering they had and have one of if not the best pairing in the league with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. As for the WR room they did add some pieces and while one may have been considered a reach I see why they did it and it’ll be interesting to see what they get out of said pick, that pick being Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas). TeSlaa went a round or two high for where I thought he should go but when you consider his attitude and mindset combined with how he fits into this offense I really do like the pick. If they use, and I think they plan to, TeSlaa how they used Tim Patrick last year I think he’ll have some real success here. TeSlaa has some real speed and while it’s not game breaking that why Jameson Williams is here, he’s a great intermediate target over the middle of the field where he can use his physicality and toughness, flashes some real talent for his frame when he gets the ball in his hands, and the part that I think they fell in love with the most was the special teams versatility and blocking he does as WR down the field. I think TeSlaa fits in perfect with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and even though he projects as his replacement Tim Patrick as well. They also added Dominic Lovett (Georgia) and while I don’t think he’ll necessarily have a big impact throughout his career he does provide them with another body in that room that has real speed and is good with the ball in their hands, which meshes perfectly with the offense they’ve built with Jared Goff at the helm.

Defense 

This defense really starts with the front 7 and the tone they set game in game out. Obviously it all starts with Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill and what they provide not only from a production standpoint point but how much they change how the opposing team operates when they’re on the field. When Aidan and Alim are out there they’re a top end group in the league and when they’re not they’re still effective but not a squad you’re having to game-plan over or stress about. Around Hutchinson and McNeill you have a solid group of guys with DJ Reader, Marcus Davenport, Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Pascal, and Al-Quadin Muhammad who all can win one on ones occasionally but need the other two on the field to really succeed and effect the game. They also added Tyleik Williams (OSU) and Ahmed Hassanein (Boise State) in the draft and  both of them fit this culture like a glove. Hassanein may not have a huge year one impact but considering how many injuries they had last year (Hutchinson (fractured tibia), McNeill (Tore ACL) will miss chunk of 25’ season, and Davenport (Torn Tricep), and DJ Reader struggling with injuries throughout his career) and all the returning bodies he certainly has a chance be out there quite a bit. When Hassanein is out there you know you’re at least getting a high effort player that will give his all every snap and while he needs to improve his pass rush technique and to be more consistent in his run fits he’s headed in the right direction, getting better every year on tape at Boise State. Now Tyleik Williams will absolutely have an impact on this team this year. Williams is absolute rock when it comes to the run and having him to step in for McNeill while he gets back healthy and also paired with DJ Reader this front seven has a real chance at being an incredible run stopping team. The only question is who will step up for the pass rush opposite of Hutchinson and while I like Williams and Hassanein I don’t know they’ll be those guys, at least early on in their careers, so you’re yet again counting on Davenport staying healthy and some league average talent stepping up.

Along with the DL you have this LB group who really seems to be the heartbeat of the defense. Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes all sort of fit into the same grouping and while they all have their own strengths and weaknesses they complement each other perfectly. These guys all fly around the field, hit hard, and set an attitude and tone not only for this defense but the entire team. While they didn’t make any huge additions here the ones they did in Zach Cunningham and Grant Stuard fit the culture they’ve built here perfectly and they also have another solid depth piece in Malcolm Rodriguez asking this LB room one of the deepest in the league league. 

This secondary while keeping a lot of the players they had year once again added some pieces that fit this culture perfectly. Adding DJ Reed and Avonte Maddox this offseason really rounded out the depth they had or rather didn’t have here. You have Terrion Arnold here who had some issues with penalties last year but really flashed the type of talent he can be. Opposite of Arnold you now have Reed who had a bit of an up and down year last year but that entire Jets team was playing uninspired and I can’t necessarily be that down on him. You pair Arnold and Reed with Amik Robertson in the slot along with Maddox and Ennis Rakestraw Jr as depth and they should have a pretty solid group that fits perfectly culture wise with the rest of the team, they just have to stay healthy. Not to mention you have one of the best S tandems in the league with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph behind of these guys that not only provide great coverage and playmaking skills on the ball but a real ability to come down field and hit to once again set a tone in the run game and middle of the field passing game. They also added Dan Jackson (Georgia)who should have gone a round or two higher in my opinion. While Jackson may not be a huge impact player right away I think he will have an impact on this team as a third S and once again be a high character teammate and give his all play in play out.

Overview 

• While this Lions team still has a lot of talent and a great culture built here there’s still some question marks surrounding this team for the upcoming season. Will they be able to replace not only one of the best OCs in the league in Ben Johnson (now HC of Bears) but also one of the best DCs in the league in Aaron Glenn (now HC of Jets)? It’s certainly something that will be easier said than done and while I’d like to speak on the new hires (John Morton OC, Kelvin Sheppard DC) I can’t speak very much to them as I haven’t seen them in these positions. I like the hires from a base level perspective and considering their recent jobs they’re absolutely worthy of getting their chance it’s just a wait and see approach at the moment but I wouldn’t bet against this team and their culture working it all out. The injury question marks also linger all over this team, especially on defense, so there’s certainly a level of concern there as well. I’m willing bet on GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell keeping this team competitive and afloat through some question marks of coordinators and injury concern but I don’t know that they’ll have as smooth of a year as they did last season. This is an incredibly tough division with all four teams seemingly being ready to compete and push for a playoff spot and not only that but make run in the playoffs when they get there. The Lions best chance to make a Super Bowl push was last year and while I think they’ll still be a very good team and they’ll absolutely be competing for this division I just hope they didn’t miss their window because last season was a special year that you don’t see very often for teams.