Detroit shoots up NFL power rankings during offseason
The Detroit Lions have started off as one of the winners of the offseason, with a strong start to free agency.
Detroit general manager Brad Holmes has made a concerted effort to upgrade one of the weakest areas on the defense from last season: the team’s defensive backs group.
He’s done just that by inking cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley to free-agent deals, as well as hybrid corner/safety C.J. Gardnerjohnson to a contract.
Holmes also found a solid replacement for Lions fan favorite Jamaal Williams, via the signing of former Bears running back David Montgomery. Although Williams will be a loss, Montgomery — who is younger than Williams — is considered by many pundits to be a better all-around back.
Additionally, Holmes deserves props for bringing former Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow back to the Motor City. Glasgow should serve as a nice depth piece for the Lions’ offensive line this upcoming season.
All in all, the third-year general manager has done a solid
job of upgrading the team this offseason. And now, the Lions are considered to be favorites to win the NFC North headed into the 2023 campaign.
They’ve also cracked the top eight of NBC Sports Chicago’s NFL power rankings. Specifically,
the Lions came in ranked at No. 8 after the first week of free agency.
“The Lions are going for it. Detroit bolstered its secondary with the additions of Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, and Gardner-johnson. Sprinkle in two first-round picks and the Lions should be the NFC North favorites entering 2023,” the NBC Sports site wrote.
The Lions have definitely improved the quality of their roster this offseason, and have vastly upgraded their defensive backfield.
And, Holmes & Co. still have the draft at their disposal — and specifically two first-round picks (No. 6 and No. 18 overall — to further strengthen the roster.
At No. 6, there’s a chance Detroit gets more defensive help and nabs Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter.
“Jalen Carter, do they take him at six to put him inside and have Aidan outside?” ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. “What a combination that would be. This defense as you know has got to be better. It’s got to be. And these defensive backs that they added certainly will help dramatically and if they can get a defensive tackle like Jalen Carter at six than that would, obviously with Aidan’s development and Houston and Paschal and all the young guys they had, if they develop and they will continue to develop, that bodes well
for this defense being vastly improved this next year.”
Carter could be the cherry on top for what has already been a productive offseason for the Lions’ front office.
Now, here’s All Lions’ ranking of all 32 NFL teams, with the first week of free agency officially in the books:
7.) Detroit Lions