Detroit Lions 2018 Preview

Detroit Lions 2018 Preview

Opening Statement: The Lions made a strong move after last season's playoff miss by firing Jim Caldwell and hiring Matt Patricia away from New England to replace him. The one problem there, if it is a problem, is that New England assistants have rarely done well away from Foxborough. This will be an interesting transition, as Patricia is a defensive minded coach tasked with moving forward a team that has to find some answers on the offensive side of the football, especially where it pertains to the run game. Patricia is also yet another young coaching hire with no experience anywhere as a head coach, and at 43, will barely be older than some of his veterans.

Breakdown Quarterback
Matthew Stafford keeps on climbing up the charts as they pertain to career passing yardage, but where he is not climbing the charts is in career wins, and playoff appearances. Another lost season under Stafford occurred last season, and as he continues to build on career stats, he is not moving this franchise further in any other regard. He still takes too many sacks, even if his other numbers trend upwards, and he is an injury risk as long as that remains so. He also happens to fumble a lot, as he lost 7 of them last season.

Jake Rudock is back, but he could be pushed in camp by veteran backup Matt Cassel, who was brought in to handle that very job. The early assumption is that Cassel should emerge from camp with that #2 job in hand, with Rudock being the 3rd QB. No other QBs are in camp in an official capacity.

Breakdown Running Back
Ameer Abdullah has fallen to the lower depths of the dog house, and his production has really fallen off in a major way. LeGarrette Blount was signed as a free agent to handle the job of finally pushing Abdullah out of the starting job, but neither option is a long term one at this point.

Kerryon Johnson was drafted out of Auburn in the 2nd round, and he could emerge from camp with the starting job in hand himself. He is a power runner that lays out some punishment, and may be the most complete back available.

Theo Riddick is back, and could end up as the 3rd back, if Abdullah gets cut along the way, which is a possibility. He is a solid pass catching option on passing downs.

The staff is running low on patience with Dwayne Washington, and Zach Zenner is in camp specifically because of special teams value, because he has little at this point as an actual back.

Nick Bawden was drafted out of San Diego State as a FB, but has become injured in camp, and is lost for the year. That opens the door for veteran FB Nick Bellore.

Breakdown Receiver
The top 4 receivers are rock solid for the Lions. Golden Tate led the league in yards after the catch, while Marvin Jones led the league in yards per catch. Kenny Golloday was one of the best rookie receivers in the league, and gives the Lions a massive deep threat target, and TJ Jones may be the best 4th receiver in the NFL. This group should provide plenty of opportunities for Stafford to continue to pad his career stats.

Jace Billingsley, Andy Jones, and Bradley Marquez are all fighting for reps as a 5th option, and Billingsley holds the edge there because of special teams abilities.

Breakdown Tight End
Eric Ebron was cut during the off-season to save some cash. Michael Roberts has a ton of talent, and could become the starter in year 2, despite catching just 4 balls last season. Luke Wilson was signed away from Seattle to compete for the job as well, and the staff is high on him.

Levine Toilolo was signed to provide depth as the 3rd TE, but expect Hakeem Valles, who spent last season on the practice squad, to battle it out for that 3rd TE spot.

Breakdown Offensive Line
The most intriguing starter on the unit is Frank Ragnow, who was drafted in the 1st round to start at Center for the Lions. It was hardly a popular pick with most, but Ragnow never allowed a snap in 2600 reps at Arkansas at C or OG. He starts from day one at C in most cases.If he does not start at C, he moves to LG and starts there. Graham Glasgow will start where Ragnow does not. TJ Lang is rock solid at RG, but only if he can stay on the field. He missed half of last season.

Wesley Johnson should be the primary backup at Center, and should see time at OG as well. Joe Dahl needs to have a big camp, or else risk getting cut. Kenny Wiggins was brought over from the Chargers, where he started every game last season. Here, he may be a long shot, but he sould win a backup spot at OG. John Montelus could be in line for a spot as well, but could end up on the practice squad. Dan Skipper played in just one game last season, and also looks like a practice squad option in his second season in the league.

Taylor Decker is back at LT, but has to stay healthy, which he had a hard time doing last season. Rick Wagner got paid in the off-season, and is now the highest paid RT in the NFL. He needs to show he was worth it.

Tyrell Crosby was drafted in the 5th round, and should develop as the backup at both OT spots in 2018. He has a starting future down the line. Corey Robinson is another option as a reserve at Tackle, but he has also had injury issues that has stunted his development. It's now or never.  Brian Mihalik is another reserve option, but his time may be running out here.

Breakdown Defensive Line
Ezekiel Ansah is back to start at RDE this season, and is the highest paid DE in the game based on average salary. The issue there is that he has not played that way entirely, and his injury history is catching up with him. The clock is ticking for him to give the Lions what they need for their dollar. The opposite spot is an open door right now. Kerry Hyder missed all of last season with an achilles injury, while Anthony Zettel really developed well last season. Zettel could emerge with the job at LDE. Look for rookie Da'Shawn Hand to make some waves in camp as well, and he could see work at DT as well. Cornelius Washington is another solid body on hand, but his future is hazy with Hand on the roster.

Alex Barrett is a flexible player who could see many uses on both sides of the football, and could emerge as the favorite from the outcast group to make the cut. Cam Johnson and Jeremiah Valoaga are seriously on the bubble, and could both be camp cuts.

A'Shawn Robinson and Jeremiah Ledbetter are expected to start at the DT spots. Robinson will be a gap plugger in the middle, while Ledbetter will battle with Sylvester Williams, who could end up at NT in the 3-4 set. Ledbetter is more likely to rotate in and out at times. Christian Ringo will likely have to battle it out to make the cut at NT.

Breakdown Linebacker
Christian Jones and Devon Kennard are slated to win the OLB jobs in camp. Kennard is a developing pass rusher and rising star, while Jones comes over from Chicago to address a need for someone with experience in the 3-4 defense. Jarrad Davis starts in the middle, and led all rookies in tackles last season. The Lions need help at the other ILB spot, and that could come from Freddie Bishop.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Steve Longa will both be the backups outside. Longa is a proven special teams ace, and will have a serious role. Reeves-Maybin is looking to bulk up to better suit the 3-4 defense.  Jonathon Freeney was signed from New Orleans to add depth outside.

Breakdown Secondary
Darius Slay was named first team all-pro last season, and returns at CB for the Lions, and should be one of the best in the league. Nevin Lawson is back, but could be lining up as the Nickel Corner in the new defense, as Teez Tabor pushes for a starting role outside. DeShawn Shead was brough over from Seattle, and will likely add depth at both CB and Safety. Jamal Agnew makes the roster not necessarily at CB, but on Punt Returns, where he was named as an all-pro last season as a rookie.

Quandre Diggs was solid at Nickel last season, but played very well at Safety when given the shot. He will battle it out at SS with Tavon Wilson, who is rock solid against the run. Glover Quin is the most dependable FS in the NFL, with 132 straight starts made. Charles Washington could be his backup, but will have to make a mark on special teams to make the cut.

Tracy Walker is a developmental Safety who the staff really likes. He will see some reps, but will also be working in a developmental role all season. Miles Killibrew and Rolan Milligan are both long shots to make the active roster out of camp at this point.

Breakdown Special Teams
Matt Prater has one of the biggest legs in the game, and is a huge long range threat at PK.

Sam Martin has been noting but great through most of his career, but an off-field injury really effected him last season. The Lions hope for a return to form.

Abdullah and Agnew will likely work in camp on KR duty, but if Abdullah is cut, that second job opens.

Agnew is the PR man, and is developing into one of the best in the league.

Final Analysis: The Lions are always that team that look like they have enough talent to make a playoff run, but always fall short. Matt Patricia was hired away from New England to fix that issue, but this team looks like it could go either way once again in 2018. There are considerable question while switching over to a 3-4 look on defense, because on the surface, the roster is not fitted with the kind of players it takes to run that look.
Offensively, Stafford has his numbers and all, but he is simply not winning enough, and the turnovers on fumbles are killing the offense. The run game should be better, but how much better can it be? The line, while having made a change or two, still looks like it could go either way.
I see a team, that if everything comes together, could push for a wild card, but they have a long way to go to beat out Minnesota for the NFC North title.