Thursday, July 17, 2025

Lions Links for Thursday 7-17-25

Articles:

2025 training camp preview: Tight end:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2025-detroit-lions-training-camp-preview-tight-end-laporta-wright-zylstra













How T.J. Watt Contract Extension Impacts Detroit Lions:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/tj-watt-contract-extension-impacts-detroit-lions

Lions Waive RB, Place Several Players on Injured Lists:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-waive-rb-place-several-players-injured-lists

'Brilliant Mind': Lions Tight End Praises New Coordinator:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-tight-end-praises-new-coordinator-brilliant-mind

Lions Work Out Offensive Players Prior to Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-work-out-offensive-players-training-camp

Lions Believe Kicker Can Be 'One of the Best' Who Ever Played:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-praise-jake-bates-can-be-among-best-ever-nfl-kickers

Predicting Detroit Lions' Initial 2025 Practice Squad:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predicting-detroit-lions-initial-2025-practice-squad

Door Is Wide Open for Tate Ratledge to Sign Rookie Contract:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/door-wide-open-tate-ratledge-sign-rookie-contract

Detroit Lions Waive Cornerback With Injury Settlement:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-lions-waive-divaad-wilson-injury-settlement

Dan Campbell Climbs Recent NFL Head Coach Rankings:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/dan-campbell-climbs-nfl-head-coach-rankings-2025

Analyst Ranks Lions' 2025 Defense Among Best in NFL:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/analyst-ranks-lions-2025-defense-among-best-nfl


13 Lions Players to Watch at 2025 Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-players-to-watch-at-2025-training-camp

Amon-Ra St. Brown Among NFL Coaches, Executives Top-10 WR List:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/amon-ra-st-brown-top-10-nfl-wide-receiver-espn-2025

Key Questions, Concerns, Players to Monitor at Lions Training Camp:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/podcasts/key-questions-concerns-lions-training-camp-2025



Levi Onwuzurike out at least 4 games with injury, 9 Lions placed on injury lists:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/7/17/24469573/levi-onwuzurike-out-4-games-injury-9-detoit-lions-placed-on-injury-lists








2025 Detroit Lions training camp preview: Biggest battles, players to watch:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/7/16/24468719/2025-detroit-lions-training-camp-preview-biggest-battles-players-watch

Sam LaPorta contract projection: Lions could reset the tight end market in 2026:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/7/16/24456590/sam-laporta-contract-projection-lions-reset-tight-end-market-2026

Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to climb top-10 WR list, per coaches, scouts:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/7/16/24468720/top-10-wr-2025-amon-ra-st-brown-detroit-lions-espn-survey



Top storylines for NFL training camps: Positional battles, rookie breakouts, injury news (Five rookies to watch - Tate Ratledge, OL, Detroit Lions:  The retirement of Frank Ragnow is a huge blow to the Lions' offensive identity and locker room -- no two ways about it. Even if they took a generational center with their top pick, there would still be concerns about losing a franchise cornerstone like that. But the position is now doubly tenuous with Ratledge as the expected replacement.  A high school tackle who played guard at Georgia, Ratledge only ever practiced at center in college -- he never saw game action there. There's a substantial increase in the mental ask for a center relative to guard, not to mention the mental leap from collegiate to professional play. The Lions desperately need their second-round rookie to get up to speed, fast.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45717323/2025-nfl-season-training-camp-storylines-quarterbacks-rookies-injuries

Every NFC team's best offseason decision (Detroit Lions: Signing D.J. Reed - The Lions lost Carlton Davis III in free agency, which left them without veteran leadership in their cornerback room. Given the struggles of Terrion Arnold in his rookie season and the lack of experienced depth behind him, the team needed to find a stable presence for its outside coverage unit.  D.J. Reed is the very definition of stability; he has earned at least a 70.0 PFF coverage grade in six straight seasons. If he offers that again and Arnold makes a significant second-year improvement, the Lions’ secondary could become a fearsome unit.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-every-nfc-team-best-offseason-decision-2025

PFF50: The 50 best players in the NFL ahead of the 2025 season (21. OT PENEI SEWELL, DETROIT LIONS:  Sewell entered the league as one of the most hyped tackle prospects in years, and he’s lived up to every bit of it over his first four seasons. Since 2021, his 95.2 run-blocking grade and 1.84 PFF WAR both rank second among offensive tackles, trailing only Trent Williams. While his run blocking gets the headlines, his pass protection has been rock solid too, as he has allowed just four sacks over the past three seasons.  25. EDGE AIDAN HUTCHINSON, DETROIT LIONS:  Hutchinson was on pace for a legendary season — and likely a Defensive Player of the Year award —before a season-ending injury in Week 6 derailed his 2024 campaign. Coming off an elite 91.0 PFF grade in 2023, he opened the year with 45 pressures, eight sacks and a staggering 38.3% pass-rush win rate through the Lions’ first five games. Sustaining that pace over a full season could have produced the best edge defender season in PFF history. Hutchinson is already elite; now Detroit just needs him back at full strength.  26. WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN, DETROIT LIONS:  Some may argue St. Brown’s success stems from the offense around him, but in reality, he’s a driving force behind its production. Since 2022, no receiver has posted a higher cumulative PFF WAR (1.70) or a better single-season average WAR (0.56) than St. Brown. His route savvy and football IQ have become weapons that defenses struggle to counter — if they can at all.  46. RB JAHMYR GIBBS, DETROIT LIONS:  Gibbs broke out in 2024, finishing top-five among running backs in forced missed tackles (68) and runs of 10-plus yards (46). He also added 587 receiving yards, the second-most at the position. With his explosiveness as both a rusher and a receiver, Gibbs has quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s most dangerous dual-threat weapons out of the backfield.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff50-ranking-50-best-players-2025

NFL position rankings: Grading all 32 teams at every unit:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-position-group-rankings

2016 NFL Redraft: Rebuilding the first round based on PFF grades and data (16. Detroit Lions: T Taylor Decker, Ohio State (Round 1, Pick 16).  Original Pick: T Taylor Decker, Ohio State.  Like the Dolphins, the Lions are happy to recreate their original offensive tackle pick. Decker made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 and is still Detroit’s starting left tackle. He has an excellent 85.3 career PFF pass-blocking grade through his nine NFL seasons.):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2016-nfl-redraft-pff-grades-data

Detroit Lions training camp 2025 preview: Key dates, notable additions, biggest storylines:  https://www.nfl.com/news/detroit-lions-training-camp-2025-preview-key-dates-notable-additions-biggest-storylines

Eleven NFL teams facing the most pressure in the 2025 season: Cowboys, Steelers among top five (Rank
7 - Detroit Lions 2024 record: 15-2.  Two years ago, the Lions were feel-good upstarts. Last year, they became a juggernaut, only to be tossed aside in the playoffs by an even fresher-faced squad on the rise, the Washington Commanders. Now, they're staring down another inflection point in the franchise life cycle: Will they overcome turnover at a few key positions to prove they belong as NFC heavyweights? Or will they fall closer to the pack and raise questions about their long-term future?  Detroit should be a lock to make the playoffs a third straight time, which would be the organization's longest streak since 1995. Most of the players who helped the Lions finish first in points, second in yards gained and seventh in points allowed last season are back in action, and they're still led by motivational powerhouse Dan Campbell. The changes they are dealing with -- replacing coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn and keeping the offensive line dominant without Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler -- are the kind that every successful squad has to navigate at some point. If new offensive coordinator John Morton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard step up seamlessly while a newly healthy Aidan Hutchinson leads a resurgent D and Jared Goff continues to deal, the Lions can entrench themselves atop a conference currently lacking in no-doubt superpowers. Longtime fans who have suffered along with this team over the years surely do not want to think about the alternative possibilities that could unfold should serious cracks begin to form in the facade this season.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-bengals-and-cowboys-among-teams-under-the-most-pressure-to-succeed-in-the-2025-nfl-season

2025 NFL MVP: One candidate from each NFC team (Detroit Lions 2024 record: 15-2 Jared Goff:  The Lions have some formidable obstacles this season, facing a daunting schedule in a strong division, and now they'll have to try to mimic their recent offensive brilliance without the services of ballyhooed play-caller Ben Johnson, now coaching the Bears.  Johnson clearly deserves some credit for Goff's success in the past three seasons, including Goff's fifth-place finish in last year's MVP voting. That said, the 10th-year pro has established himself as a front-line quarterback. Plus, he's still surrounded by elite offensive talent, and new coordinator John Morton has been mentored by some of the NFL's best offensive minds over the past two-plus decades. This Lions offense won't suddenly go into the tank, and if Goff can thrive without Johnson -- doing so against such a tough slate of teams -- his MVP credentials could be even stronger.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-mvp-one-candidate-from-each-nfc-team

NFL's top 10 defenses in 2025? Broncos edge out Eagles and Ravens for No. 1 spot; Patriots will rise (6
Detroit Lions:  Detroit’s defense is as stout a unit as you’ll find up the spine, starting with a deep group at defensive tackle. Alim McNeill is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December, so he’s unlikely to be ready when the season kicks off. But assuming an eventual healthy return from the 25-year-old, he’s the kind of disruptive 3-tech who detonates pass protection. In his absence, the Lions have the luxury of turning to Levi Onwuzurike, whom Pro Football Focus credited with 47 pressures in 2024. The former second-round pick’s free-agent market just didn’t develop like many anticipated following a breakthrough season -- likely due to his injury history -- so the Lions happily retained him on a one-year, $4 million steal of a deal. (EDITOR'S UPDATE: On Thursday, the Lions placed Onwuzurike on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he'll miss at least the first four games of the regular season.) Against the run, Detroit presents premium beef in the form of stalwart space-eater D.J. Reader, rookie first-rounder Tyleik Williams and underrated rotational vet Roy Lopez. On the second level, the linebacking trio of Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes is reliable and versatile. And in the back end, the Lions boast the best safety duo in the game today: Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. The question marks exist on the edges, starting with defensive end. Aidan Hutchinson was the early leader for Defensive Player of the Year before a gruesome leg fracture ended his season last October. Will he be able to seamlessly return to form? That question looms LARGE, because Detroit’s DEs look suspect beyond No. 97. At corner, Terrion Arnold endured a trial by fire as a rookie starter in a scheme that’s heavy on press-man coverage. While penalties were a problem early in Year 1, he ultimately showed the kind of growth that could trigger a leap forward in Year 2. Meanwhile, D.J. Reed feels like a fine replacement for Carlton Davis III, but the veteran still needs to prove himself in a new defense. The biggest question of all, though, could be the man in charge. Aaron Glenn is gone, having taken the Jets’ head-coaching job in January. Dan Campbell’s right-hand man did an admirable job last season with a defense that was absolutely ravaged by injuries. Kelvin Sheppard was internally promoted to coordinator, and the franchise has high hopes for the 37-year-old former player, but this is the first time he’s run a defense. Hope he has better injury luck.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-s-top-10-defenses-in-2025-broncos-edge-out-eagles-and-ravens-for-no-1-spot-patriots-will-rise

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs: I'm being split out wide 'way more' than the past two years:  https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-rb-jahmyr-gibbs-i-m-being-split-out-wide-way-more-than-the-past-two-years

All-Under-25 Team: Jayden Daniels, Jared Verse among NFL's top young stars entering 2025 season (RB Jahmyr Gibbs:  When the Lions spent the 12th overall pick on Gibbs in 2023, plenty of doubters scoffed at the choice -- but after two seasons, 2,357 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns (plus another 833 receiving yards and five scoring grabs), it's clear Detroit made the right move. Gibbs is the lightning in Detroit's backfield to David Montgomery's thunder, but more importantly, he's a three-down back who is always a threat to opposing defenses. He's only 23 years old, too, meaning there's plenty of time before we have to start talking about the dreaded 30-year-old-running-back wall. Get used to seeing Gibbs on the highlight reels.OT Penei Sewell:  Sewell was regarded as a generational talent when he left Oregon for the NFL but encountered an immediate hurdle upon arriving in Detroit, where solid left tackle Taylor Decker was already entrenched. Sewell embraced the challenge; though he did sub in for Decker as an injury replacement in the first half of the 2021 season, Sewell ultimately made the switch to the right side, flourishing along with the Lions' rise to the upper echelon of the league. Sewell earned consecutive first-team All-Pro selections in the last two years, made three straight trips to the Pro Bowl and even received as many Offensive Player of the Year votes as his receiver teammate, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (among others). He's elite, has already signed a lucrative extension and managed to sneak his way onto this list right before he turns 25 in October.S Kerby Joseph:  Joseph's rise has been quite enjoyable to witness, because it has coincided with Detroit's ascension into the upper echelon of NFL clubs. 2024 represented a new high for the ballhawking safety, who more than doubled his interception total, finishing with nine picks to go along with 83 tackles. The latter stat is incredibly consistent: He finished with 82 or more tackles in each of his three NFL seasons. No doubt thanks in part to the increased exposure that comes with playing for a Super Bowl contender, Joseph finally received some postseason flowers, taking home first-team All-Pro honors, asserting himself as a playmaker who cannot be ignored.FLEX Brian Branch:  In 2024, Branch piled up 109 tackles, 16 passes defensed, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack, notching a 74.7 passer rating allowed, -3.3 completion percentage allowed over expected, -2.5 receptions allowed over expected, 4.2 targeted EPA and a 27.6 tight-window percentage. Yes, those are a lot of numbers to digest, but they show how Branch impacts every area of the game when he’s on the field. The Lions use Branch in a variety of roles -- and he thrives in all of them.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/all-under-25-team-jayden-daniels-jared-verse-among-nfl-s-top-young-stars-entering-2025-season

NFL season is 50 days away: 50 under-the-radar players who could shape the 2025 season (20. Tate Ratledge (C/G) and 21. Christian Mahogany (G), Lions: The Lions drafted Ratledge in the second round in part because of his ability to play both guard and center. Little did they know they'd rely on it this quickly. After stalwart center Frank Ragnow retired at 29, Detroit has an opening at center, and Ratledge and veteran Graham Glasgow are the primary candidates. If Ratledge doesn't end up at center, he will likely start at one guard spot, with Mahogany at the other. A sixth-round pick in 2024, Mahogany played limited snaps as a rookie but will step into a big role with Kevin Zeitler's departure.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-season-is-50-days-away-50-under-the-radar-players-who-could-shape-the-2025-season/

Ranking all 32 QB-RB-WR/TE trios in the NFL for 2025 (4. Detroit Lions (Avg: 5.3, High: 2, Low: 7) - QB: Jared Goff, RB: Jahmyr Gibbs, WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown. We've seen over the last few years that the Lions are just an efficient machine that seemingly prints explosive plays on an assembly line. So long as Goff continues to stay well protected behind what has been one of the league's best units up front (but that is undergoing significant changes this year), that should continue to be the case. Gibbs might be the most explosive runner in the NFL, and ARSB is a first down waiting to happen whenever Goff finds him over the middle of the field.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-nfl-triplets-rankings-bengals-reclaim-top-spot-chiefs-fall-from-leagues-elite-in-qb-rb-wrte-list/

Most important non-QB for each NFL team entering season (Detroit Lions: OG Tate Ratledge and OG Christian Mahogany - Detroit was already going to have a bunch of change to deal with this season with Johnson leaving for Chicago. But after Frank Ragnow's retirement, the Lions now have to reshape what has been arguably the NFL's best offensive line. Ratledge, a rookie, and Mahogany, a second-year player who got just 75 snaps last year, will be key in that transition.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/most-important-non-qb-for-every-nfl-team-these-players-will-go-a-long-way-in-determining-their-clubs-success/

2025 NFL head coach rankings: Eagles' Nick Sirianni, Lions' Dan Campbell make leaps behind Chiefs' Andy Reid (5. Dan Campbell (Lions) - 2024 Rank: 8.  Season: 5th with Lions, 5th as coach.  Career record: 44-35-1 | Playoffs: 2-2.  Detroit lives and dies by his aggression, which sometimes borders on reckless, but we still don't talk enough about how much his ferocious energy has redefined Lions football. He went from laughable meme to enviable leader as Brad Holmes began outfitting him with all-star weaponry, and even heartbreaks haven't deterred his unit from playing with the authority of an NFC heavyweight. Losing both of his coordinators in 2025 will be a new test, but let's not forget he's been the man steering Motown since his arrival.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-nfl-head-coach-rankings-eagles-nick-sirianni-lions-dan-campbell-make-leaps-behind-chiefs-andy-reid/

Sam LaPorta on New Lions OC John Morton: He has a 'Brilliant Mind':  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/sam-laporta-lions-new-oc-john-morton-hes-brilliant-mind

The 12 Teams That Can Win Super Bowl LX (Detroit Lions:  Surprisingly, the Lions are the only team on my list from last year’s torture room division, the NFC North. Divisions rise and fall, but outside of notable departures on the coordinator front, the Lions appear to be better situated than they were toward the end of last season. Plus, as is true with all Dan Campbell teams, the hallmark will be the growth of the team as a whole. Adding heft up front by selecting defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round and diversifying their weapon set with wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa in the third will help the Lions remain one step ahead of their opponents, who are trying to capture the essence of Detroit’s maddening offense and beefy, physical defense.  The Lions’ schedule is difficult, but in my estimation they are the one team in the NFC North complete enough to weather it without mass difficulty. The Packers have some fairly pronounced defensive weaknesses. The Vikings are, in essence, starting a rookie quarterback. The Lions have the personnel to survive even the worst-case scenario.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/super-bowl-60-contenders-12-teams

The Biggest Concern for Every 2024 NFL Playoff Team Heading Into 2025 Season (Detroit Lions:  The Lions are returning most of the talent from their 15-win season in 2024, but there will, of course, be one key change from last year's league-leading offense. Renowned offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, an individual who was widely credited with the creativity and success of Detroit's unique offense, departed the organization to take over as head coach of the Bears. With Johnson out, it may take a while for the Lions offense to build up that same level of trust with new OC John Morton. With trick plays a key component of their identity on offense, things could look plenty different with Morton calling plays.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/biggest-concern-2024-playoff-teams-upcoming-season-bills-chiefs-steelers

An insider's look at all 32 NFL teams as training camp closes in (Detroit Lions:  Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn are out. John Morton and Kelvin Sheppard are in.  Will the departures of Johnson and Glenn have an impact on the Lions? Morton is the new offensive coordinator, and Sheppard is the new defensive coordinator. Both have big shoes to fill for a franchise that’s won the NFC North in back-to-back seasons.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/07/13/nfl-training-camp-team-by-team-insider-look/84534856007/


Video:  

Stumblebum: Behind the Lions' trick play that broke the Bears:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/1674945

Brooks, Battista share how rookie guard Tate Ratledge, new coordinators will make biggest impact for Lions:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/brooks-battista-share-how-rookie-guard-tate-ratledge-new-coordinators-will-make-biggest-impact-for-lions

Is the NFC North the most competitive division in the NFL?:  https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/45762859
Posted by LionsFan at 7:17 PM

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