Those that doubted Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell at any level earlier than the 2023 season started are certainly believers within the third-year head coach now.
Campbell delivered arguably the most effective season in franchise historical past, guiding the Lions to a 12-5 report, their fourth division championship because the merger (1970) and their second-ever look within the NFC championship recreation.
Now that the Lions have proven they’ll compete with the elite groups within the NFL (they beat the eventual Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Week 1), the group has to show that 2023 wasn’t a fluke.
Basic supervisor Brad Holmes has a lot on his plate, like figuring out contract extensions for the group’s prime stars together with quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive deal with Penei Sewell. He should additionally retain a few of his prime free-agents-to-be and construct off his back-to-back foundation-building draft lessons.
Right here’s what it’s essential learn about Detroit’s offseason:
PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE: $51.48M (seventh-most in NFL)
FREE AGENTS | Offense: QBs Teddy Bridgewater and Nate Sudfeld; RBs Craig Reynolds and Zonovan Knight; WRs Josh Reynolds and Donovan Peoples-Jones; TEs Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra; OT Matt Nelson; OGs Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Graham Glasgow and Jonah Jackson; Lengthy snappers Jake McQuaide and Scott Daly
Protection: DEs Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris; DT Benito Jones; LBs Julian Okwara, Anthony Pittman and James Houston; CBs Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey and Jerry Jacobs; Safeties Tracy Walker, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Will Harris
Outlook: Given the uncertainty of Jameson Williams’ first two seasons, retaining Reynolds — Detroit’s second-leading vast receiver behind St. Brown — is critically vital. The Lions thrive on having a high-octane passing offense, and Reynolds is a key piece of it. Glasgow is a confirmed, reliable proper guard, and if Detroit needs to maintain opening up working lanes for David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, it ought to convey him again as properly on a team-friendly contract.
Defensively, there usually are not many gamers value retaining. Harris bought first rate strain on the QB and was a serviceable run-stopper. Houston was a superb state of affairs pass-rusher two seasons in the past, however was restricted to only two video games in 2023. Gardner-Johnson was restricted to only six video games and if he could be had for a wage near the $6.5M he signed for in 2023, he is perhaps value bringing again as properly.
2024 DRAFT PICKS: Spherical 1 (No. 29 general) | Spherical 2 | Spherical 3 (by way of Minnesota) | Spherical 3 | Spherical 5 | Spherical 6 | Spherical 7
TOP DRAFT NEEDS (so as): CB, EDGE, OG, DT, S: Detroit’s free-agent cornerback signings final offseason, Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, didn’t pan out as anticipated. Sutton allowed eight touchdowns and Moseley performed in only one recreation, so discovering a shutdown CB is on the prime of the Lions’ to-do checklist.
Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter or Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw can be glorious additions to Detroit’s secondary subsequent to Brian Department. If not nook, I’d anticipate the Lions to search out one other pass-rusher to assist out Aidan Hutchinson. Penn State’s Chop Robinson or Washington’s Bralen Trice would each make sense.
DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia; Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri; T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State; Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington; Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State; Jonah Elliss, Edge, Utah; Troy Fautanu, OT/OG, Washington; Graham Barton, OT/OG, Duke; Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston School; Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon; Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami; Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson; Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota; Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami; Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH:
Do Goff and St. Brown head to coaching camp with new contracts?
What adjustments are made to the protection?
How do they deal with beginning a season as a legit Tremendous Bowl contender?