Detroit Lions Depth Chart 2018 Lions Depth Chart

Preseason Analysis: Lions with Playoffs in Sight

After not failed attempts at running back the last, well several years, Detroit went out and got LeGarrette Blount and drafted Kerryon Johnson. They still have Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah, but Abdullah is likely out of town soon, but at the moment is the odd man out. Johnson should get a crack at the lead role, with Blount working into the mix as a change of pace and goal line back. Detroit never quite matched the hype when he was drafted, and Detroit is down to Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo at tight end. With three capable wide receivers and Theo Riddick, there is not a ton of need. Willson will be more of a passing game guy, but likely not in high volume. The passing game should remain the same, although it will be interesting to see if Kenny Golladay can stay healthy and have a more established role in year two. He will have to compete with Marvin Jones and Golden Tate for targets, but Ebron out of the picture does open a few up. Detroit made their defense and line a main focus this offseason, which is exactly what they needed to do. Detroit could be a more balanced team in 2018.

Always the bridesmaid and never the bride, that has been the story of the Detroit Lions ever since Matt Stafford has taken over the reigns as the starting quarterback in Motown. While the Lions have failed to win the NFC North, or even win one single playoff game since Stafford’s arrival in 2009, the expectations for the upcoming 2018 season are at an all-time high. With a handful of free agent signings this offseason, including defensive back DeShawn Shead, defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, tight end Luke Willson, and running back LeGarrette Blount. Not to mention a new head coach in Matt Patricia has entered the fray, having the Lions feeling like they can contend for the NFC North division. Heading into training camp, most fans and NFL experts believe that the biggest signing for Detroit this offseason was clearly LeGarrette Blount. While Matt Stafford has put up massive numbers the past few seasons, the Lions have had a non-existent running game. Detroit has finished in the bottom third of the NFL in terms of running the football over the past three seasons, and when you can't gain yards on the ground it puts much more pressure on the quarterback. If Blount can give the Lions a long overdue boost in the backfield, it could make Stafford and his wideouts one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL this season.

As Lions fans know, Detroit hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Reggie Bush pulled off the feat in 2013. Before Bush went over the 1,000-yard mark, you have to go back nearly a decade to 2004 when Kevin Jones broke the century mark. To put it into even more perspective about just how bad the run game has been in Detroit, they haven’t had a runner gain over 100-yards in a game since Reggie Bush broke the mark back on November 28, 2013. Detroit is hoping that drafting Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and a healthy returning Ameer Abdullah, can give the running game a much needed boost this season. A strong running attack can give Stafford the ability to set up screen passes, make more adjustments at the line of scrimmage and will be a definite key for the offense this 2018 season. The Lions will return star wideouts Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, and they are hoping that the flashes they saw in 2017 from rookie wideout Kenny Golladay will carry over into 2018. At 6’4”, the former Northern Illinois star was a big part of the Lions’ offense in his first year as a pro. Golladay, who missed five games last season, still had nearly 500 yards of receiving and scored three touchdowns. While the Lions finished 9-7 in 2017, not making the postseason was enough for the Detroit front office to decide to let go of Jim Caldwell and bring in former New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Patricia will have his hands full right out of the gate as a rookie head coach as the Lions schedule is arguably one of the toughest in the NFL. Detroit will be challenged early and often as they will face the revamped San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, rival Green Bay Packers and Patricia’s former team, the New England Patriots all before Week 6 of the 2018 season arrives. Nevertheless, with all of the turnover following the 2017 season, fans are more than excited to begin the Matt Patricia era.