Roundtable: Are Lions League’s Most Popular Team?

1.) Are the Detroit Lions the brand new model of “America’s Group”? 

Vito Chirco: No. First off, the nationwide media could not care much less concerning the Lions. Second, they have not earned the respect of the media. 

Bear in mind, Detroit has by no means made a Tremendous Bowl, and hasn’t received an NFL championship since 1957. 

If something, the Lions are the NFL’s lovable losers, as a result of they’re clearly not “America’s Group.”

Adam Strozynski: That is humorous. Actually, I laughed out loud. No, they aren’t. I feel individuals need them to do effectively, as a result of they’ve a “loveable loser” really feel to them. However, they are going to by no means be America’s No. 1 rooting curiosity.

2.) Will Aidan Hutchinson have a greater NFL profession than Chris Lengthy?

Chirco: It is clearly laborious to venture long run. However, at this level, I will say sure. Whereas I do not see the Michigan product being a ten.5-sack-a-season man, he does not need to be with a purpose to have a greater profession than Lengthy. I feel Hutchinson is extra more likely to be a 7.5-9.5-sack-per-season participant, which remains to be higher than the 6.4 sacks a season that Lengthy averaged over his 11-year profession.  

Now, Lengthy did file a 13-sack season, adopted by an 11.5 one in back-to-back campaigns (2011-12). Perhaps Hutch won’t ever attain the 13-sack plateau in a single season. Nonetheless, on a constant, season-to-season foundation, I feel the previous standout Wolverines EDGE shall be a extra productive professional. 

Strozynski: I feel so. Relying on how lengthy Aidan Hutchinson performs, he solely has to common 33 complete tackles and 6.5 sacks a season to outpace Chris Lengthy’s season-by-season common. 

3.) Which extensive receiver can have probably the most touchdowns in 2022?

Chirco: If it weren’t for Jameson Williams recovering from a torn ACL as he prepares for his rookie marketing campaign within the NFL, I might say him. Nonetheless, with that being taken under consideration and never figuring out when he will be cleared to play, I will go together with fellow offseason acquisition DJ Chark being the receiver to file probably the most touchdowns for the Lions in 2022. I see the previous Jacksonville Jaguars wideout main the way in which with six touchdowns, whereas second-year professional Amon-Ra St. Brown finally ends up with 5 for a second straight 12 months and Williams grabs 4.

As for the league as an entire, I will go together with Cincinnati Bengals extensive receiver Ja’Marr Chase. He recorded 13 reception TDs a season in the past, and I feel he’ll proceed to place up prolific numbers so long as he is catching passes from former Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow.

Strozynski: I am going to go together with the Buffalo Payments’ Stefon Diggs. He isn’t a sleeper, however one other 12 months with a top-10 quarterback, in an offense that may explode down the sphere and has no downside placing up factors, I feel Diggs is a protected wager to be sitting on the high when the 2022 season is over.

4.) How a lot ought to tight finish T.J. Hockenson’s yearly wage be?

Chirco: Properly, Hockenson clearly is a tier under the Travis Kelce’s and the George Kittle’s of the world, each of whom make $14-$15 million a 12 months.   

A extra correct participant comp for “Hock” is New England Patriots tight finish Hunter Henry. Henry signed a three-year cope with the Patriots an offseason in the past that pays him round $12.5M a season. 

Hockenson does not have as huge of a observe file of productiveness as Henry, however he’s youthful than the previous Charger (Hock shall be 25 in 2022) and is anticipated to make an even bigger affect than Henry as a pass-catcher over the long run.

For these causes above, I feel Hockenson deserves to be paid $12M on a yearly foundation. 

Strozynski: That is robust, as a result of the market will dictate that he needs to be incomes $14-$15 million. However, I feel he is price extra like $10-$12.5 million a season. You’ve a man like Darren Waller incomes lower than $8 million a season, and he’s a greater tight finish proper now than I feel Hockenson will pan out to be. 

5.) Do you suppose Romeo Okwara is part of the Lions’ long-term plans? 

Chirco: With the Lions’ current additions of Hutchinson and Josh Paschal by way of the draft, I really feel that it is much less and fewer probably. Bear in mind, the soon-to-be 27-year-old additionally wasn’t introduced in by the current Lions regime. I feel these components all contribute to Okwara ultimately having his position lessened with Detroit.

Strozynski: One other good query. At this level, I might say no. Nonetheless, if he returns to that 2020 stage of manufacturing, he can have a spot on any workforce within the NFL. I do not suppose we’ll see that, although. Coming back from a torn Achilles is difficult sufficient, and never having the identical explosiveness he as soon as needed to make performs actually caps his ceiling.