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PFF Linebacker Rankings: Top 32 ahead of the 2025 NFL season (Tier 3 - 8. Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions:
Campbell took a massive step forward in his second season as a pro, with his 78.7 PFF overall grade ranking fourth in the NFL among linebackers with at least 600 snaps. While he’s always been a plus run defender, it was his massive leap in coverage that earned him his placement on this list. The 2023 first-rounder's 74.2 PFF coverage grade placed him in the top six — a nearly 40-point jump on the grading scale over his 35.3 mark as a rookie. Another step forward in 2025 will put him in the top-five conversation.): https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-linebacker-rankings-top-32-ahead-of-2025-nfl-season
1 glaring weakness for every NFL team in summer 2025 (Detroit Lions: The coordinators -
How much were Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson pushing Dan Campbell forward? We'll find out in 2025, as 2024's hottest coordinators were each scooped up for head coaching roles (Johnson to the Bears, Glenn to the New York Jets). In their place come John Morton (offense) and Kelvin Sheppard (defense). They have one season of NFL playcalling between them -- Morton's 2017 stint as head of the New York Jets, where his starting quarterbacks were Josh McCown and Bryce Petty. Now *there* is a man who deserves a second chance.): https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/05/27/nfl-offseason-questions-2025-cowboys-bears-eagles/83650450007/
2020 NFL Redraft: Joe Burrow Stays in Cincinnati, Jalen Hurts Goes Before Justin Herbert (3. Detroit Lions: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU -
Original Pick: Jeff Okudah: Simply put, Justin Jefferson might be the most valuable non-quarterback in the NFL today. He’s a four-time All-Pro in five seasons, and heading into 2025, he’s the NFL’s all-time leader with 96.5 career receiving yards per game. It’s an easy choice for the Lions here.): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2020-nfl-redraft-joe-burrow-stays-cincinnati-jalen-hurts/
Year-by-Year Results of Every Team Featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks: Does the Show Breed Success or Failure?(2022: Detroit Lions -
Record: 9-8. In Dan Campbell’s second year as their head coach, the Detroit Lions got off to a miserable 1-6 start to the 2022 season. They ended the year on an incredible hot streak, though, winning eight of their final ten games. While they missed the playoffs, they finished above .500 for the first time since 2017. The Lions would go on to win the NFC North in each of the next two seasons.): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/year-by-year-results-hard-knocks/
NFL Protector Award: Ranking 1 Contender From All 32 Teams for Offensive Lineman Honors (1. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell -
Frank Ragnow deserves consideration here, considering he’s one of the best centers in the NFL. That said, Sewell is the anchor of a loaded Detroit Lions offensive line. With elite PFF season-end grades, and just two sacks allowed over the last two seasons, one could argue he’s the best overall offensive lineman in the game. Period.): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/protector-of-the-year-award-candidates/
One thing to watch for each NFC team entering OTAs (Lions - One thing to watch: The offense's cohesion under new offensive coordinator John Morton.
Ben Johnson is now the coach of the Chicago Bears, and Lions coach Dan Campbell opted to replace the departed offensive coordinator internally. He promoted John Morton, Johnson's passing game coordinator, to the OC role this offseason. Morton has only been an NFL OC for one season, and it was in Sam Darnold's rookie year with the New York Jets in 2018. New York produced the league's 23rd-ranked scoring offense (20.8 points per game), and then-head coach Todd Bowles' entire staff was fired after a 4-12 campaign in 2018. Yes, Morton has been with the Lions during Johnson's entire tenure since 2022, but it will be interesting to see if Detroit's offensive approach and method of attack will be maintained or tweaked under new management.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/one-thing-to-watch-for-every-nfc-team-entering-otas-packers-wr-competition-vikings-j-j-mccarthy-more/
100 most important players for 2025 NFL season (16. Jared Goff's career received a stunning second wind under former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but with him off to Chicago, Goff has a big task ahead under new offensive coordinator John Morton. Goff certainly has a sour taste in his mouth after a five-turnover season-ending loss to the Commanders.
17. Aidan Hutchinson appeared to be joining the truly elite tier of pass rushers with 7.5 sacks in four-plus games before suffering a broken leg. Detroit's defense was never the same as injuries mounted elsewhere, too. If/when Hutchinson rediscovers his form will be crucial for the Lions, who are replacing former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. 18. and 19. Playing alongside an elite safety duo of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed face crucial years. Arnold was up and down as a rookie, and while Reed is coming off a strong season, both are a little too grabby, tying for the league lead with seven pass-interference penalties apiece last season. One can see why Detroit proposed (unsuccessfully) less harsh penalties for defensive holding and illegal contact.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/100-days-until-2025-nfl-kickoff-100-most-important-players-in-upcoming-season/
Early 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team: Offense (Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions (No. 57 overall):
The Lions have consistently found early contributors along the front five over the years, and Tate Ratledge should be no different. Arguably the premier ‘pure’ guard in the class, Ratledge fits exactly what head coach Dan Campbell wants within the interior with the power to displace bodies in the ground game while possessing the feet and hips to slide and turn with the NFL’s elite IDLs in pass pro.): https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/05/27/early-2025-nfl-all-rookie-team-offense
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