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2024 NFL Preseason: Highest-graded Day 2 rookies (4. CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Detroit Lions: 80.4. The Lions' second-round cornerback has put together a solid camp but unfortunately suffered an ankle injury at practice that kept him off the field. When he saw the field back in Week 1, Rakestraw earned an 81.7 PFF coverage grade, allowing just a 56.3 passer rating into his coverage.):
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-preseason-highest-pff-grade-day-2-rookies-2024
Stock up, stock down after the 2024 NFL preseason: Offensive rookies (Up - RB SIONE VAKI, DETROIT LIONS. Vaki is another versatile player from the 2024 class, but his versatility transcends the line of scrimmage to both offense and defense. Vaki primarily played safety for Utah, but he did get a few games at running back in 2023, where he played very well and earned high grades, especially as a receiver out of the backfield. He has been working with the running backs in Detroit and continues to stand out. Vaki earned an 83.3 PFF receiving grade in the Lions' second preseason game, with four catches and 60 yards.):
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-stock-up-stock-down-2024-nfl-preseason-offensive-rookies
Winners and losers from roster cuts (Winner: Hendon Hooker - In what has been a rough couple of years for Hooker, the Tennessee product finally gets a win. With the Detroit Lions releasing Nate Sudfeld, the backup job behind Jared Goff in the Motor City belongs to Hooker, who put together a solid preseason. In the preseason finale against the Steelers, Hooker got an extended look and completed 12 of his 20 pass attempts for 114 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He also rushed for 93 yards on 10 attempts. While there's always a chance the Lions bring in another quarterback (possibly even Sudfeld), Hooker's play seems to be giving the club confidence that he can be the backup going forward.):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-roster-cuts-winners-and-losers-mac-jones-hendon-hooker-secure-backup-jobs/
Ranking the QB-coach duos for 2024: Mahomes-Reid No. 1 (8. Jared Goff/Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions) - The other new duo to make the list for the first time, Goff and Campbell are taking the Lions to heights the franchise hasn't seen since 1991 -- which was the last time the franchise made the conference championship game before last season. The Lions won their first division title since the 1993 season and their first playoff game since the 1991 season last season, having arguably their most successful year since 1957. Detroit won two playoff games in 2023 after winning one in the previous 65 seasons combined. Goff is 20-7 over his last 27 starts with the Lions, throwing for 47 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. He's the third quarterback in franchise history to win multiple playoff games, joining Tobin Rote (1957) and Bobby Layne (1952, 1953). Goff ranked first in the NFL in passing first downs (227), second in passing yards (4,575), second in 20-yard passes (69) and fourth in passing touchdowns (30). This was the second time in franchise history a Lions quarterback has thrown for at least 4,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in a season. Through the first eight seasons of a quarterback's career in NFL history, Goff ranks third in 300-yard games (36), fourth in completions (2,657), fifth in passing yards (30,429), seventh in attempts (4,107), and ninth in passer rating (93.6). Campbell is just the third coach in Lions history to win multiple playoff games, joining Buddy Parker (1953) and George Wilson (1957). Detroit did not lose consecutive games within a single season for the first time since 1972. The Lions won four prime-time games in 2023, their most ever in a single season, and won multiple playoff games in the same year for the first time in the Super Bowl era. The culture has changed in Detroit under Goff and Campbell. The Lions may be primed to earn a Super Bowl appearance for the first time in franchise history under this duo.):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-nfls-top-10-quarterback-coach-duos-for-2024-chiefs-patrick-mahomes-and-andy-reid-remain-no-1/
2024 Best NFL running backs: Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry lead rankings (7. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions - Carmen Vitali: Taking Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft was a decision mocked by most outside Detroit. General manager Brad Holmes knew he took a risk, but he also knew what his football team needed — and it turns out, he was totally right. Gibbs proceeded to ascend into a focal point for Ben Johnson’s offense in Detroit last season. His variable skill set is his greatest asset, as is his ability to come in clutch — especially in the low red zone. Time and time again, quarterback Jared Goff handed the ball off to Gibbs when they needed a score and, time and time again, Gibbs delivered. Ten times, to be exact. He added another one through the air against Denver last season. In all, he averaged a whopping 5.19 yards per carry in his first season as a pro, which ranked fourth among qualified ball carriers, according to Next Gen Stats. Gibbs and Devon Achane were the only two rookies in the top 10 for average, and it’s presumably only up from here for both. 2023 rank: unranked):
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2024-best-nfl-running-backs-christian-mccaffrey-derrick-henry-lead-rankings
NFL 2024 preview: 10 potential breakouts include a couple of young Detroit Lions (Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams - This list should be dedicated to Williams. Nobody is in a more obvious spot to break out. Williams was the 12th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft whose career got off to a slow start due to his recovery from a torn ACL at Alabama and a suspension for betting. He came on late last season, showing the game-breaking speed that made him a high draft pick. The Lions are thin at receiver after Amon-Ra St. Brown, and their offense will be very good once again. If Williams doesn't break out this season it's on him because the situation for it is ideal. Detroit Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu - Melifonwu got a starting job in Week 14 last season. His play after that was eye-opening. In eight games, counting playoffs, Melifonwu had 30 solo tackles, five sacks (including two games with more than one sack) and two interceptions. He moved from cornerback to safety during the 2022 season and finally saw a payoff late last season. Melifonwu isn't even guaranteed to start at the beginning of the season for a deep Lions team, but his playmaking last season was tough to ignore.):
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-2024-preview-10-potential-breakouts-include-a-couple-of-young-detroit-lions-130100826.html
Every NFL team's most surprising roster cut (Detroit Lions: DT Kyle Peko - The veteran nose tackle quietly turned in a very strong training camp, often getting first-team reps with DJ Reader still sidelined. Peko even flashed some pass-rush ability to go with his hard-nosed, smart run defense. With his old Titans DL coach, Terrell Williams, coaching him in Detroit, Peko felt like a no-brainer, especially with Reader just being activated and Brodric Martin headed to I.R. The Lions only kept four DTs on the initial 53-man roster, which is also a bigger surprise than any WR or TE they parted with. – Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire):
https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-roster-cut-surprises-by-team-2024/
Surprise NFL Roster Cuts: Notable Players Released Include Kadarius Toney, Desmond Ridder, D’Onta Foreman, Noah Brown, Carl Lawson (Detroit Lions | QB Nate Sudfeld - “I mean, let’s start with (Hendon) Hooker. You want to know, plain and simple, it’s hard for me to just jump right in and say, ‘Man, he’s, you feel great at No. 2.’ I think of him as, is he growing?” That’s what Lions head coach Dan Campbell said about Hooker after his club’s preseason finale. Nevertheless, Detroit is rolling with the 2023 third-round choice as Jared Goff’s backup after cutting Sudfeld on Tuesday. While Hooker flashed during the exhibition season, the Lions could still explore QB2 options this week.):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/surprise-nfl-roster-cuts-2024/
Posted at 11:15 AM
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Agent's Take: 10 non-QB offensive bounce-back players (Jameson Williams - The Lions used the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Williams knowing that his rookie year was going to be jeopardized because he tore the ACL in his left knee during the College Football Playoff National Championship game that January. His development was hindered in 2023 because of a four-game suspension to start the season for violating the NFL's gambling policy. Williams had 24 for receptions for 354 yards with two touchdowns in 12 games last season. Josh Reynolds leaving in free agency for the Denver Broncos opens up a starting spot for Williams. He'll need to be an upgrade over Reynolds, who had 40 catches for 608 yards with five touchdowns last season, to convince the Lions to exercise an option for a fifth year in 2026. Williams' fully guaranteed option year salary should at a minimum be more than $15 million.):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-nick-chubb-stefon-diggs-headline-10-non-qb-offensive-bounce-back-candidates-for-2024-season/
32 Super Dreams: Why your team has a shot to win Super Bowl LIX ... really (3. Detroit Lions (+1200 to win Super Bowl) - First of all, if Dan Campbell says the Lions are going to win a f----g Super Bowl soon, it's safer not to argue with him. Also, don't forget how close they came last season. They had a 24-7 halftime lead in the NFC Championship Game — a fact Campbell surely won't let his players ever forget. They somehow kept offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, so the offense should be just as good. They restocked the secondary, which was their biggest defensive weakness. And after that second-half collapse in San Francisco, no team in the league is more motivated to win it all.):
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/super-bowl-lix-why-your-team-has-shot-win
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