Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Lions Links for Wednesday 5-7-25

Articles:

Williams has chance to showcase unique skill set with Lions:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/tyleik-williams-has-chance-to-showcase-unique-skill-set-with-detroit-lions



Three Lions 2021 Draft Picks Are Highest-Graded at Position: https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/three-lions-2021-draft-picks-highest-graded-position

Lions Ranked No. 2 Fantasy Offense in 2025 Season:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-ranked-second-fantasy-football-2025

Which Lions 2025 Games Should Be in Primetime?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/which-lions-2025-games-should-be-primetime

Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa Was Coveted by Many NFL Teams:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-isaac-teslaa-coveted-many-teams-nfl-draft


Lions Opponent in 2025 Expected to Trade For WR George Pickens:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-2025-opponent-will-trade-for-george-pickens

Notes: ESPN insider gives important context to Lions’ selection of Isaac TeSlaa:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/5/7/24425567/lions-news-espn-insider-gives-important-context-to-isaac-teslaa-pick



How did the Detroit Lions’ 2025 draft picks score on the Grit Index?:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/5/7/24418520/grit-index-examining-detroit-lions-2025-nfl-draft-class

NFL draft nuggets for every team's rookie class: Exec reaction, draft room maneuvers, remaining needs (Detroit Lions - One of the most compelling stories of Day 2 was Detroit trading up 32 spots to the early third round to take a receiver with 28 catches last season at Arkansas.  But Isaac TeSlaa is a prime example of why the predraft process matters. TeSlaa was off the draft radar and had to scramble to get an invite to the Hula Bowl, which led to an invite to the Senior Bowl. He performed well at both, then caught scouts' attention at the combine by running a 4.43-second 40 at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds.  Had TeSlaa not gotten that Hula Bowl invite, his draft positioning would have looked far different. But once teams started to see him up close, they scheduled interviews with him and did their research on why he didn't get the ball at Arkansas. It wasn't because of attitude or work ethic issues -- his personality shined in the process, becoming Detroit GM Brad Holmes' favorite player in the draft. Some attributed his low production in college to lack of communication and inexperience at quarterback.  TeSlaa also had great predraft processes with the New Orleans Saints (No. 71) and the Buffalo Bills (No. 72), so it wasn't lost on TeSlaa that Detroit traded directly in front of those two, plus Denver at No. 74, which went to receiver Pat Bryant.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/story/_/id/45007585/key-intel-all-32-teams-2025-nfl-draft-depth-charts-buzz-team-needs-next

Tom Brady Names Four-Time Lions All-Pro as One of the Players He Was Most Afraid to be Hit By:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/tom-brady-names-detroit-lions-ndamukong-suh-afraid-hit

NFL Insider Reveals Why the Lions Had to Trade Up So Far for Isaac TeSlaa:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/insider-reveals-why-detroit-lions-made-trade-isaac-teslaa


Highest-graded player at every position from the 2022 NFL Draft (EDGE: Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions (92.3) - Hutchinson was the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and has lived up to that draft billing through three seasons. He played in only five games in 2024 due to injury but was on pace to contend for Defensive Player of the Year. He notched 45 pressures and eight sacks through the first five weeks of the season, more than any other defender in the NFL. His 94.9 PFF overall grade was also the highest among edge defenders.  Through three seasons, Hutchinson boasts the highest PFF overall grade among edge defenders drafted in 2022, and ranks fifth among all edge defenders.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-highest-graded-players-2022-nfl-draft

Ranking top 10 WR tandems; where new Cowboys duo lands (5. Detroit Lions - Jared Goff's career resurgence is a testament to both his drive and Detroit's infrastructure, which includes this dazzling duo. St. Brown plays a lot bigger than he is while offering breakaway juice, whereas Williams is a galloping field-stretcher. If the latter can just stay on the field, the fireworks can be immense.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/george-pickens-traded-to-cowboys-ranking-nfls-top-10-wr-duos-entering-2025-including-dallas-new-tandem/

Ranking every RB room in the NFL by tiers: Lions backfield duo of Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery top group (Tier 1: Dynamic Duos - Detroit Lions:  We kept Tier 1 exclusive to teams that have strong depth at strictly the running back position. Key among them is the Detroit Lions, who have the best all-around running back room in the entire NFL. That's to the duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, or "Sonic and Knuckles" as they were coined during last season. In 2024, they became the first duo in NFL history with 10-plus rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons. Overall, there were seven games last season where they both scored a touchdown, which was tied for the most by a running back duo since 1970. Detroit is also 11-0 in games when both Gibbs and Montgomery score over the last two seasons. While Montgomery is the power to this backfield, Gibbs is the lightning and is just now grasping the peak of his powers. In 2024, Gibbs tallied 1,929 scrimmage yards. His 20 total touchdowns not only led the league but also set a new franchise record. Remember, this is a franchise that had Barry Sanders in its backfield at one point, so what Gibbs is doing is beyond special. The fact that the duo can keep each other fresh is a huge win for the Lions offense, staying among the league's best.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-every-rb-room-in-the-nfl-by-tiers-lions-backfield-duo-of-jahmyr-gibbs-david-montgomery-top-group/

Post-draft QB Power Rankings: Daniels enters as No. 1 (9. Jared Goff Detroit Lions QB:  His steady, resilient hand finally proved too shaky in the Lions' stunning early-playoff exit, and now he's without revered play-caller Ben Johnson. Still, his old-school pocket passing has survived similar changes before. And Detroit still affords him one of the NFL's best offensive lineups.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/post-draft-2025-nfl-qb-power-rankings-commanders-jayden-daniels-eagles-jalen-hurts-lead-the-way/

2025 Detroit Lions Schedule: Opponents ahead NFL Schedule Release:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2025-detroit-lions-schedule-opponents-ahead-nfl-schedule-release

NFL offseason stock watch: Which teams are on the rise? Who got worse? (Detroit Lions - Stock: down .  Losing veteran guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency is an underrated blow for the Lions, who also have question marks at edge rusher with Aidan Hutchinson returning from a season-ending injury.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-offseason-stock-watch-which-teams-rise-who-got-worse

Which rookie from each NFL team will make the biggest impact in 2025? (Detroit Lions: DT Tyleik Williams (one, No. 28 overall) - I know fans in Detroit were clamoring for a true threat pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson, especially with him coming off an injury, but beefing up the interior rotation will help Hutchinson, too.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/which-rookie-from-each-nfl-team-will-make-biggest-impact-2025

2025 NFC North Offseason Report Card: Bears Go All in to Help Caleb Williams (Detroit Lions Offseason grade: C+.m Key additions: CB Avonte Maddox, G Tate Ratledge, CB D.J. Reed, WR Isaac TeSlaa, DT Tyleik Williams.  Key subtractions: CB Carlton Davis III, S Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB Kindle Vildor, G Kevin Zeitler.  Analysis: The Lions fell well short of their Super Bowl aspirations last season, but they still have one of the best rosters in football to potentially make another deep playoff run. Detroit once again prioritized the trenches, using high draft capital on players who pride themselves on being physical, including Williams, the rugged run stopper and first-round selection. Ratledge, the second-round pick, could be in the mix for a starting guard job, competing with Christian Mahogany and Graham Glasgow.  But the Lions missed an opportunity to add help for Aidan Hutchinson, the star edge rusher recovering from a leg injury. Alim McNeill is also working his way back from a significant injury. The secondary this season could be defined by how much 2024 draftees Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. improve in Year 2. The Lions also have to get on the same page with veteran newcomer Reed, who signed a three-year deal after a successful stint with the New York Jets.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2025-nfc-north-offseason-report-card-bears-all-in-help-caleb-williams
Posted by LionsFan at 6:39 PM

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