Three reasons to be optimistic about the Detroit Lions

While the Detroit Lions had a turbulent first eight weeks of the 2022 season, by Week 9 the team found its stride. The Lions won eight of their last 10 games and narrowly missed the playoffs. Detroit celebrated its first winning season since 2017 and just its six winning seasons since 2000.

The Lions finished with the No. 4 offense in the NFL, but their 32nd-ranked defense cost them quite a few games. Detroit ended the year on a high note, running its win streak over Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers to three games and earning its first season sweep of its NFC North rival since 2018.

Below are three reasons for the Lions to be optimistic heading into 2023:

1. Jared Goff’s career revival

The Lions began the year a favorite to take one of the top three quarterbacks in the 2023 draft class, and they ended it seemingly set at the position for at least next season.

After an unimpressive 2021, Goff thrived under first-year offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The 28-year-old QB finished tied for fifth in touchdowns (29), and he ranked sixth in passing yards (4,438) and seventh in passer rating (99.3). He also had his first 4,000-yard season since 2019, and he logged his second-most single-season touchdowns and tied his career low in interceptions (seven).

Detroit returns Goff’s full complement of weapons plus the No. 8 offensive line in the NFL in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, and the seven-year veteran QB should put up similar or better numbers in 2023.

2. An Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams 1-2 punch at WR

St. Brown is unquestionably Detroit’s best receiver, recording 90 or more catches, 900 or more yards, and five or more touchdowns in each of his first two seasons.

Though Kalif Raymond (47 receptions, 616 yards) and Josh Reynolds (38 reception, 449 yards, three touchdowns) are slated to return next season, neither is a dependable No. 2 wideout.

Williams, the 12th overall pick in last year’s draft, was limited to just one reception for nine yards in six games his rookie season after recovering from a torn ACL, but it’s clear Detroit invested a high pick on him in hopes he and St. Brown will form a dynamic 1-2 punch. Many draft scouts claimed Williams was the best receiver in the 2022 draft class, and the Lions should be well set at the position for the next decade.

3. Five picks in the top 81 selections of 2023 draft

Thanks to the T.J. Hockenson trade, Detroit is well-stocked with picks in the first three rounds of April’s draft—Round 1, pick No. 6; Round 1, pick No. 18; Round 2, pick No. 48; Round 2, pick No. 55; Round 3, pick No. 81.

Four of the team's 2022 picks—Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, Malcolm Rodriguez and James Houston—made instant impacts as rookies, and with plenty of needs on defense, the team is in prime position to infuse more youthful defenders.