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The Detroit Lions are poised for the 2024 season with a roster brimming with talent, particularly shining on the offensive front. This sector is expected to be the team’s stronghold once again, although signs suggest that the competition might be catching up.
At the forefront of most offensive position groups, the Lions boast a formidable depth chart, instilling confidence in their ability to perform. However, there remain areas of concern, primarily revolving around the depth available in each position.
Given these considerations, it’s imperative to delve into each offensive position group, evaluating the level of concern ranging from minimal to substantial, and dissecting the underlying reasons behind these concerns.
Let’s embark on a comprehensive exploration of each position, dissecting the strengths and weaknesses that could shape the Lions’ offensive prowess in the upcoming season.
Lions’ concern level at each position
Quarterback: Low
Jared Goff brings experience and leadership to the quarterback position, having demonstrated his ability to guide teams deep into the playoffs, albeit without clinching a Super Bowl victory. The primary concern here is the risk of injury, which could potentially disrupt the Lions’ season.
Backing up Goff are Hendon Hooker and Nate Sudfeld, with Sudfeld returning from a torn ACL. While Sudfeld’s capabilities are known, it’s uncertain if he can sufficiently step in if Goff is sidelined. Hooker, on the other hand, presents a wildcard factor, with his potential to either excel or struggle in a backup role.
Running back: None
The Lions boast one of the most formidable running back rooms in the league, led by David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. With Gibbs poised for an increased workload in 2024, the depth behind him and Montgomery is solid, including Craig Reynolds, Zonovan Knight, Jake Funk, and Sione Vaki. Even in the event of an injury to one of the top backs, the other is fully capable of shouldering the load, ensuring the ground game remains potent.
Wide receiver: Medium
While Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta anchor the receiving corps, there are question marks surrounding the depth at wide receiver. Despite the departure of Josh Reynolds, the Lions made no significant additions to the position. The emergence of Jameson Williams is anticipated, although not guaranteed, given his relatively quiet start in the league. Kalif Raymond, Antoine Green, and Donovan Peoples-Jones are expected to contribute, but their impact remains to be seen.
Tight end: Low
Detroit’s tight end unit is a strength, led by star performer Sam LaPorta and complemented by Brock Wright. James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra are vying for depth roles, but Mitchell’s consistency and Zylstra’s recovery from injury are potential concerns. The main worry revolves around the absence of a clear replacement for LaPorta in case of injury, given his significance in the passing game.
Offensive line: Low
The Lions boast one of the league’s premier offensive lines, featuring Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, and Penei Sewell. While injuries are always a concern, the depth options behind the starters are untested or uninspiring. Nonetheless, the reliability of the starting lineup, coupled with its exceptional talent, minimizes the risk of disruption from a single injury, though multiple injuries could pose challenges.