Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Tuesday 2-21-23

Articles:


Lions defense allowed the fewest receptions to opposing RBs in 2022:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/02/20/lions-defense-fewest-receptions-to-opposing-rbs-in-2022/

How Lions Could Add $10 Million in Salary-Cap Space:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/evaluating-vaitai-nfl-contract


2022 NFL rookie grades, NFC North: Lions receive immediate returns; did Packers find new WR duo? (Detroit Lions - Grade:  A-.  In some respects, this was a wait-and-see draft for the Lions, but they also started putting together a foundation on defense, improving on all three levels with this rookie haul. When it's all said and done, we might look back at this class as a huge bedrock for a team that appears to be on the right track. Aidan Hutchinson, the Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up, was pretty terrific. Outside of a few quiet stretches, Hutchinson made his impact in multiple ways -- as a pass rusher (9.5 sacks), run defender (nine TFLs) and takeaway artist (three INTs, two fumble recoveries). His hustle, versatility and Michigan roots made him an easy fan favorite in Year 1.  Two more rookies instantly endeared themselves to the Detroit faithful. Kerby Joseph intercepted four passes (three via Aaron Rodgers) and forced two fumbles, showing an innate nose for the ball. Malcolm Rodriguez also displayed terrific instincts and timing and looked like a pro from jump street, ranking third on the team in tackles in 15 starts.  Sidelined by a torn ACL most of the season, Jameson Williams saw action down the stretch and had two touches -- a 40-yard run and a 41-yard TD catch -- in 78 offensive snaps. The Lions know they have a racehorse in the slim receiver, and he could break out next season. James Houston came on like gangbusters late, profiling as a prolific pass-rush specialist.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-rookie-grades-nfc-north-lions-receive-immediate-returns-did-packers-fin

The PFF 101: Highlighting the top 101 players from the 2022 NFL season (77. PENEI SEWELL, DETROIT LIONS:  Detroit’s offense was cooking for much of the year, and Sewell was a big part of that success at right tackle. He allowed 28 total pressures over 17 games and was one of the better run blockers in the league. He even caught a game-clinching pass against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-101-top-101-players-from-2022-nfl-season

2023 NFL Free Agency Preview: Players to retain, franchise tag candidates, potential cuts and team needs for all 32 NFL teams (Detroit Lions (Projected cap space: $13,020,951 (11th).  No. of picks in the 2023 NFL Draft: 8 picks, 5 picks in the top 100.  Top impending free agents: WR D.J. Chark Jr.):  BIGGEST TEAM NEED: CORNERBACK - The Lions cornerbacks combined to allow a 110.4 passer rating and 9.2 yards per attempt last season. And while the team's young pass-rushers really stepped up as the season progressed, the coverage on the back end never rose to meet them at that level.  The Lions have drafted several young corners in recent years, but they have yet to see a real return on that investment and need to keep swinging to continue this team’s positive growth.  PLAYER TO RETAIN: EDGE JOHN COMINSKY - Cominsky brought versatility and physicality to the Lions' defense in his first season in Detroit, becoming a more consistent pass rusher with his 6-foot-5, 285-pound frame that also enabled him to kick inside. He and rookie first-rounder Aidan Hutchinson both demonstrated positional flexibility along the defensive line, which could help Detroit construct different looks and manufacture pressure on opposing quarterbacks if he’s kept around for 2023 and beyond.  Cominsky became an official starter in Week 11, and his 31 quarterback pressures from that point through the end of the regular season tied for eighth among edge defenders.  CUT CANDIDATE: DI MICHAEL BROCKERS - Brockers was routinely made a healthy scratch down the stretch of the 2022 season, and the veteran — voted a defensive captain by his teammates after just one season with the team — was brought aboard by general manager Brad Holmes in large part because of his leadership.  Brockers’ 40.6 grade in 2021 was a career low by a wide margin, and he was surpassed on the depth chart while turning 32 this season.  FRANCHISE TAG CANDIDATE: N/A):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2023-nfl-free-agency-preview-player-targets-potential-cuts-all-32-nfl-teams

Redrafting the 2022 NFL Draft: Brock Purdy goes in middle of Round 1, Sauce Gardner taken No. 1 overall (2.  Aidan Hutchinson EDGE:  The Lions call in the same pick as in reality, with Hutchinson to anchor the defensive line in Detroit for a long time.  32.  Jameson Williams WR:  Outside of Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit saw their 2022 class get snagged by other teams in this redraft. So they roll the dice again with Williams, hoping for a long-term hit with the vertical threat.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-free-agency-qb-market-projecting-contracts-logical-landing-spots-for-lamar-jackson-other-big-names/

2023 NFL free agency rankings for every position:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2023-nfl-free-agency-rankings-for-every-position

2023 NFL Draft:

Is Mazi Smith Lions Defensive Tackle of Future?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/mazi-smith-lions-scouting-report


NFL Draft RB rankings: Bijan Robinson stands out in deep class:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-draft-rb-rankings-bijan-robinson-stands-out-in-deep-class

2023 Combine:


2023 NFL combine: Could the Lions use a first-round pick on RB Bijan Robinson?:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/02/2023-nfl-combine-could-the-lions-use-a-first-round-pick-on-rb-bijan-robinson.html

6 Running Backs for Lions to Watch at 2023 Scouting Combine:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-2023-combine-preview-running-backs

2023 NFL Combine preview: 10 Quarterbacks the Lions should be watching:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/2/20/23602397/2023-nfl-draft-combine-preview-10-quarterbacks-lions-watch

HBCU Combine: 5 Players Who Could Raise 2023 NFL Draft Stock:  https://thedraftnetwork.com/hbcu-combine-2023-nfl-draft/

Posted by LionsFan at 6:42 AM

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