Monday, May 22, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Tuesday 5-23-23

Articles:

Campbell staying true to himself as he looks to make an early impact:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/campbell-staying-true-to-himself-as-he-looks-to-make-an-early-impact

Detroit Lions signing offensive tackle Max Pircher from Italy:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/05/detroit-lions-signing-offensive-tackle-from-italy.html

NFL reportedly investigating new wave of gambling-related suspensions:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/05/nfl-reportedly-investigating-new-wave-of-gambling-related-suspensions.html



NFL rule change could impact what the Lions do at QB on game days:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/22/nfl-rule-change-gameday-roster-active-quarterbacks-lions/

3 surprising contributors for the Detroit Lions defense in 2023:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/3-surprising-contributors-detroit-lions-defense-campbell/




Seven Burning Questions Facing Lions Ahead of OTAs:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/burning-questions-lions-2023-otas




Early 2023 NFL roster rankings for all 32 teams: Strengths, weaknesses, rookies to watch and more (13. DETROIT LIONS - Biggest strength in 2023: Pass Rush.  The Lions got 17.5 sacks between rookies Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston IV, the latter of which played only seven games. A full season of that duo, on top of production from John Cominsky, Julian Okwara and Josh Paschal, can create a lot of problems for opposing quarterbacks.  Biggest weakness in 2023: Receiver depth.  After Amon-Ra St. Brown, the most receiving yards among returning Lions is Kalif Raymond’s 616. St. Brown will continue to be the focal point of the offense, but there are a lot of question marks for the rest of this group.  X-Factor for 2023: WR Jameson Williams.  Having played only six games as a rookie due to injury, Williams was slated for a bigger role in 2023 before he was suspended six games for gambling. However, because of the lack of receiving depth on the roster, Williams will have every opportunity to become a major contributor upon his return. Rookie to watch: RB Jahmyr Gibbs.  The Lions shocked everyone by taking a running back with the 12th overall selection despite already having David Montgomery and D’Andre Swift on the roster. They traded Swift to the Eagles shortly after, opening up the role of receiving back for the former Alabama speedster.  Over/Under 9 win total: Under.  This is a difficult team to project because of how much they overachieved in 2022 and the ever-changing NFC North landscape. But given how little the team improved on the offensive side of the ball in the offseason, expect some regression in 2023.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2023-roster-rankings-strengths-weaknesses-x-factors-rookies-to-watch

One reason each NFC team will or won’t make the playoffs in 2023 (DETROIT LIONS (Playoffs: Yes; Reason: Major secondary upgrades):  At the end of the 2022 season, the Lions ranked eighth in overall offensive grade (81.2), fifth in points per game (26.6) and fourth in yards per game (380.0). The offense was ready for a playoff run; it was the defense, which gave up the third-most points per game (25.1), that held the team back.  The Lions' 245.0 passing yards allowed per game last year was the third most in the league, and their 57.5 coverage grade was tied for last. But they added Cam Sutton (71.6 PFF grade in 2022), Emmanuel Moseley (70.9), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (65.0) and Brian Branch (89.5 grade at Alabama) to the secondary this offseason, which should be enough to get over that playoff hump.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-one-reason-each-nfc-team-will-wont-make-playoffs

Ranking the NFL divisions by strength heading into 2023 (6. NFC NORTH:  The Detroit Lions are the division favorites and might just win their first-ever NFC North crown in 2023. They will need to rely heavily on Amon-Ra St. Brown, who produced a 90.4 PFF receiving grade in 2022 to rank fourth among wide receivers, in the passing game, with 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams suspended for the first six games of the season. The Minnesota Vikings are, perhaps, being somewhat slept on after a disappointing end to the 2022 campaign, with Kirk Cousins producing a PFF grade of 77.0 or better in every season he has been with the Vikings and the offense boasting the NFL receiving yardage leader from a year ago in Justin Jefferson.  Justin Fields looked to break the NFL single-season rushing record by a quarterback before missing the final week of the 2022 season, but the Bears will be hoping a revamped receiving group, led by wide receiver D.J. Moore can help him take a step forward as a passer in 2023. For the Green Bay Packers, it’s Jordan Love’s time to shine at quarterback. Drafted in 2020, Love has seen just 91 regular season dropbacks in three seasons but gets the opportunity to prove himself as Aaron Rodgers’ replacement.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-ranking-divisions-strength-2023

Projecting all 32 NFL starting lineups ahead of the 2023 season:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-projecting-all-32-nfl-starting-lineups-ahead-of-the-2023-season

Each NFL team's most anticipated game in 2023 seasonDetroit Lions (Most anticipated matchup: Week 1 at Kansas City Chiefs (Season Kickoff Game).  The Lions are the 2023 offseason's "it" team. They are currently the odds-on favorite to win the NFC North (+120) via Caesars Sportsbook, and their +2500 odds to win the Super Bowl are their second-shortest preseason odds in the last 25 years. The NFL even included them in the 2023 season opener against the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs!   Detroit won eight of its final 10 games in 2022, which included eliminating Aaron Rodgers and the Packers from playoff contention in the final game of the regular season on "Sunday Night Football." Quarterback Jared Goff's resurgence helped power a top-five scoring offense (26.6 points per game, fifth-best in NFL) as he led the entire league in touchdown to interception ratio, 29 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. Goff closed out the season on fire, throwing 15 touchdowns and no interceptions in the Lions' final nine games. His 324 consecutive passes without an interception mark the longest such streak in franchise history. A win or strong showing with the whole football world watching could set the tone for the Lions' best season of the 21st century.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-schedule-each-teams-most-anticipated-game-including-patrick-mahomes-vs-tyreek-hill-in-germany/

2023 NFL Draft: NFC North Rookie Projections (DETROIT LIONS [OVERALL ROOKIE IMPACT RATING = 70] - Rd1.No.12 Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama: A polarizing pick. Detroit blew the Jamaal Williams negotiations and then signed David Montgomery at the same cost. Next, they pivoted to Gibbs and dealt off D’Andre Swift for a bag of chips. It’s a bit bizarre from the outside looking in. To his credit, Gibbs is talented enough to make everyone forget all of this. Projection: 195 carries, 897 rushing yards, 413 receiving yards, eight touchdowns. Impact Factor: 8.3.  Rd1.No.18 Jack Campbell, ILB, Iowa: He fits the Lions mold and makes the Lions much deeper but one wonders what happens to Malcolm Rodriguez with Alex Anzalone entrenched as one starter. Campbell is best-suited as a two down backer. Projection: 16 games played, 13 starts, 78 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one interception. Impact Factor: 7.8.  Rd2.No.34 Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa: An excellent addition for Jared Goff, especially inside the red zone. The team clearly did not want to pay TJ Hockenson (Vikings) who they dealt within their own division. Projection: 17 games played, 15 starts, 44 catches, 516 receiving yards, four touchdowns. Impact Factor: 7.8.  Rd2.No.45 Brian Branch, FS, Alabama: Possibly the greatest value selection of the entire draft, Branch has the potential to become a top safety in the NFL. It should be fun to watch him defy the odds! Projection: 17 games played, nine starts, 50 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions. Impact Factor: 7.7.  Rd3.No.68 Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee: Some thought Hooker would be a good fit in the first round. Great move, as he could be their quarterback of the future. If not, it only cost them a third round pick. Well played by GM Brad Holmes. Projection: redshirt year. Impact Factor: 6.4.  Rd3.No.96 Brodric Martin, DT, Western Kentucky: This was a trade up move to ensure the services of Martin who will bring a high motor to the defensive line rotation. Projection: 14 games played, one start, 18 tackles, two tackles for loss. Impact Factor: 6.5.  Rd5.No.152 Colby Sorsdal, OT, William & Mary: Give Detroit credit for leaving no stone unturned, not many had Sorsdal on their radar. He’ll need time to develop. Projection: five games played. Impact Factor: 6.3.  Rd7.No.220 Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina: Likely a special teams selection, Detroit must see something that most others do not. Projection: practice squad. Impact Factor: 5.8):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-nfc-north-rookie-projections

DETROIT LIONS - Lions 2023 Breakout Player: James Houston:  https://thedraftnetwork.com/lions-james-houston-breakout-2023/

2024 NFL Draft:

Scouting the Nation 2024 NFL Draft: Weapons Galore and a Top Defender:  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/scouting-the-nation-2024-nfl-draft-weapons-galore-and-a-top-defender

Posted by LionsFan at 2:51 PM

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