The Lions were close to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history last season, and they are clearly a team on the rise. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 12-5 (first in NFC North); lost to SF in Conf. Champ.
- Over/under: 10.5 wins
Notable additions
WR Tre’Quan Smith, WR Daurice Fountain, G Kevin Zeitler, G Ike Boettger, DE Marcus Davenport, DT DJ Reader, LB Malik Jefferson, CB Carlton Davis III, CB Amik Robertson, K Jake Bates
Notable losses
QB Teddy Bridgewater, WR Josh Reynolds, G Jonah Jackson, G Halapoulivaati Vaitai, DE Charles Harris, DE Julian Okwara, DE Romeo Okwara, DT Benito Jones, DT Isaiah Buggs, LB Anthony Pittman, CB Cameron Sutton, CB Will Harris, CB Jerry Jacobs, CB Chase Lucas, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S Tracy Walker III
2024 draft class
CB Terrion Arnold (1.24), CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (2.61), OT Giovanni Manu (4.126), RB Sione Vaki (4.132), DT Mekhi Wingo (6.189), G Christian Mahogany (6.210)
Projected starters
QB: Jared Goff
RB: David Montgomery
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR: Jameson Williams
TE: Sam LaPorta
LT: Taylor Decker
LG: Graham Glasgow
C: Frank Ragnow
RG: Kevin Zeitler
RT: Penei Sewell
DE: Aidan Hutchinson
DT: Alim McNeill
DT: DJ Reader
DE: Marcus Davenport
LB: Jack Campbell
LB: Alex Anzalone
CB: Carlton Davis III
FS: Kerby Joseph
SS: Brian Branch
SCB: Terrion Arnold (R)
CB: Amik Robertson
2024 outlook
Detroit began the 2023 season by knocking off the defending champion Chiefs and ended it by nearly setting up a rematch in the Super Bowl—but a heartbreaking loss to San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game dashed those hopes. Top general manager Brad Holmes worked to extend the core of an ascending group with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Taylor Decker, and Penei Sewell all locked up, though, and the secondary was remade on the other side of the ball to better prepare the Lions for another deep run.
The already excellent offensive line was arguably improved as well, and Kevin Zeitler signing to play right guard boosts two spots with Graham Glasgow sliding to the left side—which is the position he originally played when drafted by the Lions in 2016. If the electric duo of Jahmyr Gibbs (who really emerged down the stretch as a rookie) and Jameson Williams can take another leap, Detroit could have the scariest offense in football.
Again, the changes on the backend will be key for the Lions improving to match what Ben Johnson’s unit can do on the other side of the ball, and I wouldn’t sleep on Marcus Davenport across from Aidan Hutchinson. DJ Reader and Alim McNeill are deservedly drawing a ton of excitement as the new tandem on the interior, but Davenport—even coming off a disappointing season in Minnesota and not living up to the hype since entering the league—has the right mindset for Dan Campbell’s squad and is a freakish talent on the edge.
Position battle to watch: Cornerback
Predicting how the Lions might align in the secondary is tough because they have four high-caliber cornerbacks, and that’s without even counting Brian Branch—who manned the slot as a rookie and is now set to see an expanded role at safety. The rookie duo of Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are both extremely tough and competitive, but so are Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson, so it’s a good problem to have. Because of his versatility, I think we’ll see Arnold in the slot to begin his career, and the game plan could change depending on the opponent.
Breakout candidate: WR Jameson Williams
This is an easy one, as Williams is a game-breaking talent that has just needed to hone in all the little things—which everyone from Dan Campbell to Ben Johnson to Jared Goff have agreed he’s done this offseason. “Jamo” will now enter 2024 as the clear No. 2 wide receiver alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, and he should be able to routinely roast single coverage if defenses pour too many resources into stopping the run.
Circle on the calendar: Week 17 (@ SF) | Monday, December 30 – 8:15 PM ET
A playoff rematch versus the Rams in the first SNF game, a chance for payback versus Dallas in Week 6, either matchup versus the Packers, a showdown versus Chicago on Thanksgiving, and the Bills coming to town in December are some of many choices here—but that just shows how far the Lions have come under Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. As much as any other game, I’m sure Detroit will be ready for the trip to San Francisco where they try to erase the memory of a blown 17-point lead in the NFC Championship.
Bottom line
The Lions were knocking on the door to a Super Bowl in 2023, and at least on paper, the roster appears even better than it was last year. With the group having extreme focus and hunger, everything is there for Detroit to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.