Monday, June 10, 2024

Lions Links for Monday Evening 6-10-24

Articles:

McNeill looks forward to playing alongside Reader:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/mcneill-looks-forward-to-playing-alongside-reader

What's next for Melifonwu after breakout third season?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/what-s-next-for-melifonwu-after-breakout-third-season



All 32 NFL teams (including the Lions) ranked by their cornerbacks:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/all-32-nfl-teams-including-the-lions-ranked-by-their-cornerbacks/

Jared Goff graded in top 10 in all three throwing distances:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/06/09/jared-goff-pff-grades-top-10-throwing-distances/

Why Amon-Ra St. Brown Is Lions' Best Choice for Madden Cover:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-st-brown-2024-madden-cover-candidates

What They're Saying: How Lions Are Handling Super Bowl Expectations:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/how-lions-handling-super-bowl-expectations

Lions Owner Sheila Hamp Named Michiganian of the Year:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lsheila-hamp-named-michiganian-of-the-year


Lions Offensive Core Ranked Fifth in NFL:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-offensive-core-ranked-fifth


Roundtable: Do Lions Need to Sign Free Agent Before Training Camp?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/do-lions-need-to-sign-free-agent-before-training-camp

Lions Have Third-Most Salary Cap Space in NFL:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-third-most-salary-cap-space-nfl




Reason for optimism for all 32 NFL teams in 2024: Jayden Daniels is teeming with potential, Mike Macdonald kicks off new era in Seattle (DETROIT LIONS - They have an elite offense and an improved secondary.  Hope is eternal in Detroit, as the Lions carry an elite offense, led by Jared Goff and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. They also boast an elite receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown, a dynamic running back duo in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, an emerging star tight end in Sam LaPorta and the best offensive line in football.  Their undoing last season, though, was their secondary. They used this offseason to overhaul their cornerback room, acquiring Carlton Davis via trade and Amik Robertson via free agency. They also spent their first two draft picks on talented cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. The Lions likely would’ve made the Super Bowl last season with a better coverage unit. They have one this year, and expectations should be incredibly high.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-reason-for-optimism-all-32-nfl-teams-2024-jayden-daniels-mike-macdonald

Which NFL players will improve in 2024? Trevor Lawrence, Bryce Young among nine locks to rise (Jack Campbell - The Lions’ 2023 rookie class was a banner group, with Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta carving out critical roles on offense and Campbell and Brian Branch doing the same on defense. All four delivered, with LaPorta and Gibbs finishing third and fourth, respectively, in the Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting and Branch and Campbell coming in fifth and eighth, respectively, in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.  However, Campbell had his share of struggles, too. After a promising opener against the Chiefs, Campbell had trouble in coverage. The Lions tried to moonlight him as a blitzer as a way to kick-start the pass rush, but Campbell struggled to generate much pressure. He also had games where missed tackles were an issue, something he almost never struggled with in college.  But Campbell wore the green helmet sticker as the team’s defensive play-caller when Alex Anzalone was injured and was tasked with a lot more than your typical rookie linebacker. Becoming the cerebral center for a defense on a team that carried itself like a world beater last season was no easy task. And Campbell was more good than bad, even while looking stressed and overloaded at times.  I expect less of the panicky, jittery Campbell we saw at times in his rookie season and more of the fire-branded field general he was at Iowa. Another year in the Lions’ system under Aaron Glenn should help, as should more help in the secondary with the additions of Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and others.  The Lions have showered Campbell with praise this offseason, and I think he’s on tap for a breakout Year 2.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/which-nfl-players-will-improve-in-2024-trevor-lawrence-bryce-young-among-nine-locks-to-rise

Second-year NFL players set to break out in 2024 (Jack Campbell - Campbell had an up-and-down rookie campaign. On over 600 snaps for the Lions, he amassed 95 tackles with five tackles for loss. In coverage, an area in which he thrived at Iowa, Campbell showed plenty of room for serious improvement. While linebackers can be "charged" for receptions in their coverage area on something as simple as a harmless checkdown, Campbell did "allow" a passer rating of 124.2 with two touchdowns, no interceptions, and two pass breakups. This year with the Lions, he'll make the leap in coverage. The size and athleticism are there for him to do it -- Campbell's nearly 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds with above-average speed, burst, and elite-level agility for the linebacker spot. Plus, counting the postseason, Campbell got nearly 350 snaps of experience sinking in coverage on pass plays.   I also love what the Lions have done in front of him. After finishing fourth in defensive pressure-creation rate a season ago at 41.6%, the Lions added hulking nose tackle D.J. Reader in free agency to pair next to Alim McNeill on a front anchored by Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson who has 21 sacks through two professional seasons.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/second-year-nfl-players-primed-for-breakout-seasons-in-2024-broncos-marvin-mims-lions-jack-campbell-more/

Best move by each NFC team this offseason (Detroit Lions - Signed core players to extensions.  Detroit made the NFC Championship game for the first time since the 1991 season, having a bunch of young players that are built for deep playoff runs. The Lions wasted no time getting their young core signed to contract extensions this offseason.   Penei Sewell earned a $112 million extension ($28 million per year) and Amon-Ra St. Brown got $120 million ($30 million per year). The Lions also committed to Jared Goff by giving him $212 million over four years ($53 million per year). Detroit sees a contention window with these three players -- and more that will be due for extensions in the coming years.  There's a Super Bowl window in Detroit. Their commitment to Goff, St. Brown, and Sewell demonstrates that.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/best-move-by-each-nfc-team-in-offseason-bears-giants-score-big-with-offseason-trades-eagles-make-key-hire/


NFL Tight End Rankings 2024: Travis Kelce Loses Top Spot, Brock Bowers Debuts in Top 20 (5. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions:  The Lions recycled drafting a TE high instead of paying the one they already had on the roster. Considering Hockenson is now the richest TE in NFL history and decidedly not the best TE in the NFL, the Lions are probably comfortable with their decision. They even got the same model — a brand-new Iowa TE.  And a great one at that. Sam LaPorta was a beast in his rookie season, finishing with 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-tight-end-rankings-2024-who-is-best-tight-end/
Posted by LionsFan at 7:38 PM

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