With the 2022 NFL season set to start this week, the Detroit Lions have elevated expectations in 12 months two beneath basic supervisor Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. 

After a comparatively uneventful free-agency interval, the Lions didn’t lose any large names, whereas including a couple of gamers on one-year offers to assist enhance the roster. 

Nevertheless, the NFL Draft is the place the Lions determined to get a majority of their new items. Throughout a rebuild, establishing the core of the roster by way of younger expertise is vitally vital.

The primary objective of this season is to clearly win extra video games than a season in the past, but additionally to see progress from youthful gamers. To ensure that the rebuild to be a hit, there may be going to have to be loads of draft picks that pan out and show they are often cornerstone gamers for the longer term. 

It’s truthful as a fan to desire a playoff win in 2022, but realistically, the Lions aren’t fairly at that time when it comes to expertise. Full rebuilds require persistence. 

On the very least, the Lions do have some intriguing prospects and thrilling gamers to observe, whereas the staff is constructed right into a winner.

OFFENSE

The Lions could have a well-balanced assault on offense. 

With one of many higher offensive strains in all of soccer (even with Halapoulivaati Vaitai out, on account of harm, to start out the season), the operating backs could have no issues discovering operating lanes. Given the expertise within the backfield, as nicely, the most important concern for the Lions’ speeding assault will probably be situational soccer. So long as the protection can hold the Lions in video games, it is going to present the operating recreation with an ample quantity of alternatives to impose its will on opponents. Controlling the clock will probably be paramount for this staff.

When it comes to passing the soccer, quarterback Jared Goff improved because the season went on final 12 months, and continued the place he left off within the preseason. Goff’s weapons, he might not have any elite pass-catchers, however he positive has loads of “actually good” choices.

Whether or not it’s out of the backfield or at tight finish, with D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson, respectively, or one of many many different receiving choices, Goff is in a a lot better spot to succeed. If Goff can distribute the ball nicely, there could also be a couple of totally different prime targets, from week to week, relying on the matchup.

Briefly, this offense will go so far as Goff takes it. The dearth of surrounding expertise can’t be an excuse for the Lions’ signal-caller this season.

DEFENSE

Regardless of spending excessive draft capital on the defensive aspect of the ball, a weak protection from a 12 months in the past nonetheless stays a work-in-progress.

Outdoors of security DeShon Elliott and cornerback Mike Hughes, each of whom are on one-year, prove-it contracts, there weren’t any main enhancements. Rookie defensive finish Aidan Hutchinson seems to be to be the actual deal, however the protection nonetheless wants far more to be among the many league’s finest.

Maybe the most effective likelihood for a defensive turnaround is by way of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. He has demonstrated a capability to arrange gamers in positions to succeed and get essentially the most out of every particular person. There’s a cause he has some head teaching “buzz.” 

Add younger, growing gamers with an excellent instructor, and this protection might overperform. If gamers like Hutchinson, CB Jeff Okudah, LB Derrick Barnes, LB Malcolm Rodriguez and DT Alim McNeill can all shortly progress, it is not going to solely be advantageous for this season, however for the longer term core of the protection, as nicely.

RECORD PREDICTION: 6-11

Sure, the Lions little doubt improved their roster that solely received three video games a season in the past. It is also unlikely that the Lions could have worse harm luck than final 12 months.

Wanting on the trajectory the Lions completed on in 2021, it’s straightforward to see why there may be optimism, given their comparatively straightforward schedule. 

Nonetheless, there are many query marks on this roster – totally on protection and on the ever-so-important quarterback place. The Lions additionally don’t have sufficient of the high-end gamers that a number of the NFL’s finest possess.

It’s potential that youthful gamers will develop, and there will probably be some surprises within the Lions’ favor.

Irrespective of the case, assuming that each weak place will probably be vastly improved is unrealistic. 

At quarterback, Goff has had a greater preseason, and has higher weapons at his disposal. He’ll nonetheless want to hold the staff at occasions when the protection can’t cling with opposing offenses. 

Goff hasn’t proven he will be that kind of participant constantly, nonetheless. 

General, this staff has the potential to win 9 or perhaps even 10 video games, if every little thing goes proper. With common luck, and some disappointing video games whereas sneaking a recreation or two from a greater staff, the Lions ought to land proper round six wins.