The Detroit News ranks the top 25 Lions in value for 2018
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Go through the gallery as Justin Rogers of The Detroit News ranks the top 25 Lions in value for 2018.
Go through the gallery as Justin Rogers of The Detroit News ranks the top 25 Lions in value for 2018. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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25. Matt Prater, K. You can't score touchdowns every time. Having a leg like Prater's in the bag is a significant benefit. He's accurate, has elite power and is about as clutch as they come, having never missed an attempt in his career that would tie the game or give his team the lead in the fourth quarter or overtime.
25. Matt Prater, K. You can't score touchdowns every time. Having a leg like Prater's in the bag is a significant benefit. He's accurate, has elite power and is about as clutch as they come, having never missed an attempt in his career that would tie the game or give his team the lead in the fourth quarter or overtime. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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24. Sylvester Williams, DT. The big man in the middle, Williams (right) was signed to a one-year deal to provide a stout, two-gap defender who will anchor the run defense when he's on the field.
24. Sylvester Williams, DT. The big man in the middle, Williams (right) was signed to a one-year deal to provide a stout, two-gap defender who will anchor the run defense when he's on the field. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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23. Luke Willson, TE. You can argue subbing out Willson with second-year tight end Michael Roberts because both are going to play key roles in carrying the Lions’ revamped tight end room. In terms of overall value, we lean Willson strictly because of his experience. A quality run blocker, he'll be given the opportunity to produce more as a receiver than he was ever asked in Seattle.
23. Luke Willson, TE. You can argue subbing out Willson with second-year tight end Michael Roberts because both are going to play key roles in carrying the Lions’ revamped tight end room. In terms of overall value, we lean Willson strictly because of his experience. A quality run blocker, he'll be given the opportunity to produce more as a receiver than he was ever asked in Seattle. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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22. Kerry Hyder, DE. Returning from an Achilles injury that wiped out his 2017 season, Hyder's ability to return to form is a major unknown. He shouldn’t have any problem fitting in, schematically, given his build and experience in 3-4 defenses earlier in his career and during college. The motor will always be there, it's a matter of his explosiveness coming back, as well.
22. Kerry Hyder, DE. Returning from an Achilles injury that wiped out his 2017 season, Hyder's ability to return to form is a major unknown. He shouldn’t have any problem fitting in, schematically, given his build and experience in 3-4 defenses earlier in his career and during college. The motor will always be there, it's a matter of his explosiveness coming back, as well. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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21. Theo Riddick, RB. Some will question why rookie Kerryon Johnson was left off this list, but Riddick is more valuable in the short-term for two reasons. First, he's a top-tier receiving back, who is almost unstoppable when he’s not double-teamed. Second, and it may surprise some people, but he's far and away the team's best pass-protecting back. Johnson is the Lions' future, but Riddick is currently the top third-down option.
21. Theo Riddick, RB. Some will question why rookie Kerryon Johnson was left off this list, but Riddick is more valuable in the short-term for two reasons. First, he's a top-tier receiving back, who is almost unstoppable when he’s not double-teamed. Second, and it may surprise some people, but he's far and away the team's best pass-protecting back. Johnson is the Lions' future, but Riddick is currently the top third-down option. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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20. Tavon Wilson, S. Not only is Wilson (32) a solid player, especially in the box where he reads and reacts well to run plays and short passes, but he adds value as a translator for his teammates, having played in head coach Matt Patricia's defense before. That gives him an advanced understanding of the terminology and alignments.
20. Tavon Wilson, S. Not only is Wilson (32) a solid player, especially in the box where he reads and reacts well to run plays and short passes, but he adds value as a translator for his teammates, having played in head coach Matt Patricia's defense before. That gives him an advanced understanding of the terminology and alignments. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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19. Kenny Golladay, WR. Golladay was everything the Lions hoped he'd be as a rookie, providing the offense with another big-play threat and large-bodied red-zone target. His only issue was a hamstring injury that cost him five games.
19. Kenny Golladay, WR. Golladay was everything the Lions hoped he'd be as a rookie, providing the offense with another big-play threat and large-bodied red-zone target. His only issue was a hamstring injury that cost him five games. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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18. Teez Tabor, CB. A second-round pick last year, Tabor (30) is being presented with an early opportunity to snag a starting job opposite Darius Slay. Questions about Tabor’s speed will linger, and the Lions likely will be inclined to shade safety help over the top, but his smarts and physicality near the line of scrimmage can make him tough to beat in short areas, including the red zone.
18. Teez Tabor, CB. A second-round pick last year, Tabor (30) is being presented with an early opportunity to snag a starting job opposite Darius Slay. Questions about Tabor’s speed will linger, and the Lions likely will be inclined to shade safety help over the top, but his smarts and physicality near the line of scrimmage can make him tough to beat in short areas, including the red zone. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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17. Frank Ragnow, G. The rookie (77) is trending toward starting at left guard and has the ability to play a key role in improving the team’s running game. A smart, powerful player, his success will be determined by how quickly he can adjust to the size, strength and speed of NFL defensive linemen. Playing against SEC competition should ease the transition.
17. Frank Ragnow, G. The rookie (77) is trending toward starting at left guard and has the ability to play a key role in improving the team’s running game. A smart, powerful player, his success will be determined by how quickly he can adjust to the size, strength and speed of NFL defensive linemen. Playing against SEC competition should ease the transition. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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16. Quandre Diggs, DB. Diggs is coming off an exceptional campaign where his versatility and competitiveness were on full display. His role remains unclear heading into camp, but whether he's at the nickel spot, playing safety or doing a little bit of everything as a matchup piece in the back end, he's emerged as a playmaker.
16. Quandre Diggs, DB. Diggs is coming off an exceptional campaign where his versatility and competitiveness were on full display. His role remains unclear heading into camp, but whether he's at the nickel spot, playing safety or doing a little bit of everything as a matchup piece in the back end, he's emerged as a playmaker. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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15. T.J. Lang, G. Lang made the Pro Bowl last season, and was solid when he was on the field, but he was often battling through a number of injuries, starting with his recovery from hip surgery during the offseason program, to foot and back issues during the season. The biggest hindrance was his push when run blocking. He's back to full-strength now, so the hope is his body holds up better during his second year with the hometown team.
15. T.J. Lang, G. Lang made the Pro Bowl last season, and was solid when he was on the field, but he was often battling through a number of injuries, starting with his recovery from hip surgery during the offseason program, to foot and back issues during the season. The biggest hindrance was his push when run blocking. He's back to full-strength now, so the hope is his body holds up better during his second year with the hometown team. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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14. Anthony Zettel, DE. After last season’s breakout, the Lions will be looking for a repeat effort, with a little more consistency from the third-year defensive end out of Penn State. He has the size, strength and motor to be a key part of the team’s pass rush, and don't be surprised to see him move a bit more in the new scheme, including some added coverage responsibilities.
14. Anthony Zettel, DE. After last season’s breakout, the Lions will be looking for a repeat effort, with a little more consistency from the third-year defensive end out of Penn State. He has the size, strength and motor to be a key part of the team’s pass rush, and don't be surprised to see him move a bit more in the new scheme, including some added coverage responsibilities. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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13. A’Shawn Robinson, DT. Robinson has been solid his first two seasons, but it feels like he's only scratched the surface of his potential. His transition to the team's new scheme should be seamless, since he played in a similar system in college and has the added benefit of playing under his former position coach from Alabama. One thing that shouldn't suffer in the shift to a gap-control front is Robinson's ability to bat down passes at the line.
13. A’Shawn Robinson, DT. Robinson has been solid his first two seasons, but it feels like he's only scratched the surface of his potential. His transition to the team's new scheme should be seamless, since he played in a similar system in college and has the added benefit of playing under his former position coach from Alabama. One thing that shouldn't suffer in the shift to a gap-control front is Robinson's ability to bat down passes at the line. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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12. Rick Wagner, RT. The left tackle position still gets far more press, but many defenses will line up their best rushers on the left to challenge opposing right tackles. The Lions paid big bucks to lure Wagner away from Baltimore last offseason, and he largely delivered on expectations in his first year with the team. Staying on the field for all 16 games would be a big boost to the offensive line this season.
12. Rick Wagner, RT. The left tackle position still gets far more press, but many defenses will line up their best rushers on the left to challenge opposing right tackles. The Lions paid big bucks to lure Wagner away from Baltimore last offseason, and he largely delivered on expectations in his first year with the team. Staying on the field for all 16 games would be a big boost to the offensive line this season. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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11. Marvin Jones, WR. An ideal complement to Golden Tate, Jones is one of the league's better deep threats. It's not strictly because of his speed, but his ability to track the ball, control his body and make contested catches.
11. Marvin Jones, WR. An ideal complement to Golden Tate, Jones is one of the league's better deep threats. It's not strictly because of his speed, but his ability to track the ball, control his body and make contested catches. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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10. Graham Glasgow, G-C. Glasgow (60) showed significant improvement in his second season, and his durability was a welcomed change of pace on an offensive line that struggled with health last season. In his third year, a shift to center is in the cards. That means more responsibility for identifying blitzes before the snap and getting his teammates in the proper alignments to protect the quarterback.
10. Graham Glasgow, G-C. Glasgow (60) showed significant improvement in his second season, and his durability was a welcomed change of pace on an offensive line that struggled with health last season. In his third year, a shift to center is in the cards. That means more responsibility for identifying blitzes before the snap and getting his teammates in the proper alignments to protect the quarterback. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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9. Golden Tate, WR. Tate's ability to operate at all depths of the field, from both the slot and on the outside, while doing plenty of damage after the catch, makes him Detroit's most consistent offensive weapon. He's caught no fewer than 90 catches each of his four seasons with the Lions, and even with Kenny Golladay's emergence, expect the veteran to lead the way in targets and receptions once again.
9. Golden Tate, WR. Tate's ability to operate at all depths of the field, from both the slot and on the outside, while doing plenty of damage after the catch, makes him Detroit's most consistent offensive weapon. He's caught no fewer than 90 catches each of his four seasons with the Lions, and even with Kenny Golladay's emergence, expect the veteran to lead the way in targets and receptions once again. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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8. Devon Kennard, LB. The prize of the Lions' free agent class, Kennard is a do-everything linebacker who appears primed for a significant role in the revamped defensive front. As a pass-rusher, he has the potential to be one of the team's most effective pocket disruptors, while maintaining a size-speed balance that allows him to set an edge or drop into coverage without being a liability.
8. Devon Kennard, LB. The prize of the Lions' free agent class, Kennard is a do-everything linebacker who appears primed for a significant role in the revamped defensive front. As a pass-rusher, he has the potential to be one of the team's most effective pocket disruptors, while maintaining a size-speed balance that allows him to set an edge or drop into coverage without being a liability. Associated Press
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7. Darius Slay, CB. The Lions are deep at cornerback, but Slay is the lead dog on the outside, with the confidence and ability to shadow the league's best receivers, if the game plan requires it. Always one to get his hands on plenty of throws, he took the necessary step toward being elite by turning those deflections into interceptions in 2017.
7. Darius Slay, CB. The Lions are deep at cornerback, but Slay is the lead dog on the outside, with the confidence and ability to shadow the league's best receivers, if the game plan requires it. Always one to get his hands on plenty of throws, he took the necessary step toward being elite by turning those deflections into interceptions in 2017. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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6. LeGarrette Blount, RB. All signs point to Blount being the starter in Detroit's deep backfield rotation, charged with helping establish and maintain the ground game each week, while being a reliable short-yardage option. He probably won’t be asked to carry the ball more than 10-15 times per game, but if he can churn out 4.0 yards or better per attempt, it would provide the offense with some much-needed balance.
6. LeGarrette Blount, RB. All signs point to Blount being the starter in Detroit's deep backfield rotation, charged with helping establish and maintain the ground game each week, while being a reliable short-yardage option. He probably won’t be asked to carry the ball more than 10-15 times per game, but if he can churn out 4.0 yards or better per attempt, it would provide the offense with some much-needed balance. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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5. Jarrad Davis, LB. The Lions are looking for big things out of Davis in his second season. It's expected he’ll be responsible for relaying the calls and getting his teammates in proper position in the team's new defensive scheme. On an individual level, he’ll be looking to iron out the pursuit angle and coverage issues that plagued him as a rookie. If he's healthy, he should almost never leave the field.
5. Jarrad Davis, LB. The Lions are looking for big things out of Davis in his second season. It's expected he’ll be responsible for relaying the calls and getting his teammates in proper position in the team's new defensive scheme. On an individual level, he’ll be looking to iron out the pursuit angle and coverage issues that plagued him as a rookie. If he's healthy, he should almost never leave the field. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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4. Glover Quin, S. The leader of the secondary, and arguably the entire defense, Quin's preparation and off-the-charts football IQ have him consistently in position to both make and prevent big plays. Quandre Diggs showed some playmaking potential as a free safety stopgap last season, but Quin's overall offerings are not easily replaced.
4. Glover Quin, S. The leader of the secondary, and arguably the entire defense, Quin's preparation and off-the-charts football IQ have him consistently in position to both make and prevent big plays. Quandre Diggs showed some playmaking potential as a free safety stopgap last season, but Quin's overall offerings are not easily replaced. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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3. Taylor Decker, LT. It was a disaster when Decker went down last offseason and missed the first half of the campaign. A healthy Corey Robinson, plus the addition of Tyrell Crosby in the draft, should have the Lions better equipped to deal with a similar situation going forward, but Decker is the team’s best hope to keep the league's elite pass-rushers off Stafford.
3. Taylor Decker, LT. It was a disaster when Decker went down last offseason and missed the first half of the campaign. A healthy Corey Robinson, plus the addition of Tyrell Crosby in the draft, should have the Lions better equipped to deal with a similar situation going forward, but Decker is the team’s best hope to keep the league's elite pass-rushers off Stafford. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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2. Ziggy Ansah. DE. When healthy, Ansah is one of the league's more dominant edge defenders. He showed flashes of his abilities last season, but continued to battle durability and consistency issues throughout the year. If he can return to peak form, he gives the Lions an elite pass-rusher who can be moved around the defense.
2. Ziggy Ansah. DE. When healthy, Ansah is one of the league's more dominant edge defenders. He showed flashes of his abilities last season, but continued to battle durability and consistency issues throughout the year. If he can return to peak form, he gives the Lions an elite pass-rusher who can be moved around the defense. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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1. Matthew Stafford, QB. We're stating the obvious here when we say if Stafford goes down, the Lions are cooked. Backup Matt Cassel once led the New England to a 11-win season without Tom Brady, but it's unfair to expect similar results in Detroit, where the culture of coach Matt Patricia's high expectations is just getting off the ground.
1. Matthew Stafford, QB. We're stating the obvious here when we say if Stafford goes down, the Lions are cooked. Backup Matt Cassel once led the New England to a 11-win season without Tom Brady, but it's unfair to expect similar results in Detroit, where the culture of coach Matt Patricia's high expectations is just getting off the ground. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
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