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Veteran Lions DE on the Hot Seat as Training Camp Nears: Insider

Nathan Dougherty — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 05:45:50 +0000

Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara has hit a major rough patch in his career, appearing in only nine games over the last two seasons while dealing with a significant injury and agreeing to take a major pay cut this offseason.

Now, one insider believes that Okwara could be on the hot seat as training camp approaches and may need to battle to keep his position on the team. The Lions have already made some big investments into their defense, and SI.com’s Vito Chirco believes it is now time for Okwara to “put up or shut up.”

Lions Edge Rusher Has Something to Prove

As Chirco noted, Okwara has struggled with setbacks that have been largely out of his control. After a strong campaign in 2020 where he notched 10 sacks and earned a $37-million contract, the defensive end suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4 of the 2021 season and was not able to return until Week 13 of last season.

Fair or not, the situation has left Okwara on the hot seat this coming season, Chirco noted.

“He’s failed to stay healthy the past two seasons, and has suited up for just nine total games. And remember, the best ability as a pro athlete is availability, and it’s a trait he hasn’t possessed for a couple of seasons now,” Chirco wrote.

Chirco added that Okwara has already given a significant concession, agreeing to have his base salary reduced to $2 million this coming season, down from the original $11 million he would have been owed.

Romeo Okwara took a huge pay cut for the 2023 season 👀 #OnePride pic.twitter.com/jQ243d3EJV

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) March 20, 2023

The pay cut came after Okwara’s production dropped significantly in each of the two injury-shortened seasons. He made just 14 total tackles with three sacks over the course of the last two years, and in 2022 appeared in just 39% of total defensive snaps.

Romeo Okwara Feels ‘Maybe Even Better’ Than Before

After two seasons shortened by injury, Okwara is confident that he will return strong for the upcoming year. Speaking to 97.1 The Ticket, the Lions defensive end said he feels “more explosive, stronger, faster” this year and that his body is “maybe even better” than it felt before he suffered the torn Achilles.

Okwara also spoke about his willingness to take a pay cut, saying he wanted to remain in Detroit and was willing to give back a bit.

“Detroit’s my home,” Okwara said. “And I think it was really important for me to be here and just keep building on what we’ve started since I’ve been here. So I didn’t really think too much of it. That’s just part of the business and I’m glad to be here.”

While the reduced salary could give Okwara a leg up in the battle for a roster spot, his future in Detroit is not assured as he is entering the final year of his contract. But Okwara remained focused on the season ahead and said he was excited to enter the season as favorites to win the NFC North — and ready to work at making it happen.

“Whatever’s expected for us, we gotta work for it,” Okwara said. “We gotta keep our head down and just work.”

Potential Lions Trade Could Bring Raiders WR to Detroit

Dave Holcomb — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 19:52:06 +0000

The Detroit Lions have been a team floated as a possible landing spot for several different veteran wide receivers this offseason.

With some rumors, the Lions have been connected to star receivers such as DeAndre Hopkins or Stefon Diggs. But a wideout ready to play more of a secondary role might be a better fit.

One interesting possibility for the Lions if they targeted a secondary weapon in a receiver acquisition is Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

With the arrival of Davante Adams last year, Renfrow played a smaller role in the Raiders offense in 2022. He also missed seven games because of a concussion.

On June 5, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified Renfrow as the one player the Raiders should consider trading before the 2023 season.

If the Raiders shopped Renfrow, the Lions should be interested.

Could the Lions Be Interested in Trading for Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow?

At about the same time Knox suggested Renfrow as a trade candidate for the Raiders, A to Z Sports’ Jack Gentry proposed the Lions as a possible destination for the 27-year-old wideout.

“Las Vegas signed receivers Jakobi Myers and Deandre Carter this offseason, which likely buries Renfrow deeper on the depth chart,” Gentry wrote. “With just one year left on his contract, the Lions should be able to pry him away from the Raiders without being forced to give up a high draft pick.

“Renfrow makes even more sense for the Lions who will be without Jameson Williams for the first six games of the regular season. If Detroit is committed to creating a dynamic passing attack, general manager Brad Holmes must put in a call to the raiders’ brass at the bare minimum.”

With the arrival of Adams and concussion issues, Renfrow went from a 100-catch, 1,000-yard receiver in 2021 to a guy who caught just 36 passes for 330 yards in 2022. His touchdowns also dropped from 9 in 2021 to 2 in 2022.

In addition to Adams, the emergence of Mack Hollins cut into Renfrow’s opportunities last season. Hollins left for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, but as Gentry noted, Las Vegas signed other veteran receivers, Jacob Myers and Deandre Carter, who could continue to limit Renfrow’s chances at significant playing time.

The Lions may be able to land Renfrow for a Day 3 draft selection.

What Renfrow Could Offer the Lions

Detroit doesn’t have a very deep receiving core to begin with, but as Gentry also pointed out, Jameson Williams will miss the first six games. Williams will sit those contests because of a gambling suspension.

Renfrow obviously doesn’t directly replace Williams’ speed. But neither would any of the other potential receivers the Lions might add this summer.

What Renfrow would supply the Lions and quarterback Jared Goff is a reliable target in the slot. The 27-year-old played about 86% of his offensive snaps in the slot last season. He’s only averaged 10.8 yards per catch in his four-year career, but Renfrow has also caught nearly 75% of his targets.

He’s a chain mover and could be particularly useful in that role in an offense that features other dynamic playmakers such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Sam LaPorta.

When Williams returns, Renfrow could find himself even more open with opposing defenses worried about the second-year wideout blowing the top off the secondary with his speed.

There’s also little risk with the Lions acquiring Renfrow. Signing Hopkins won’t cost anything, but his presence could cut into Williams’ playing time after Week 6.

Renfrow won’t be stealing snaps from anyone else. If he doesn’t work out, the Lions can allow him to leave in free agency next spring and only lose the late draft pick it would cost to acquire him.

The reward Renfrow offers as a dependable, veteran slot wideout, though, is enough that the Lions should consider him a potential trade target before the season.

Lions Former 2nd-Round Pick Pegged as Possible Cut Candidate

Dave Holcomb — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 15:20:18 +0000

As the roster stands on June 25, the Detroit Lions will be looking for pass rushing help from bounce back candidates and unlikely sources during the 2023 season. But that doesn’t mean the team will have a roster spot for every reclamation project it has along the edge.

Sports Illustrated’s John Maakaron questioned whether the Lions should part ways with defensive end and former second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike on June 22. Maakaron never used the word “cut” or “release,” but he implied that possibility for the 25-year-old.

“With Detroit’s defenses being revamped, Onwuzurike may find himself being the odd man out, as Josh Paschal, James Houston, Charles Harris, Julian Okwara, Romeo Okwara are healthy and ready to compete for playing time,” wrote Maakaron.

Onwuzurike hasn’t played since his rookie 2021 season because of a back injury. In 2021, he recorded 35 combined tackles, including 2 for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 sack and 2 pass defenses.

What the Lions Possess at Pass Rusher

The Lions have been connected to several free agent pass rushers this offseason, including even Washington Commanders former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young. Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton proposed the Lions acquire Young through a trade for Julian Okwara and a third-round pick.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes hasn’t moved on that possible trade or any other acquisition for a veteran pass rusher this summer. Detroit’s only addition on defense since the draft was signing veteran defensive tackle Christian Covington.

But the Lions still appear deeper on the defensive line and along the edge than last year. Holmes re-signed Isaiah Buggs and John Cominsky this offseason. In the draft, the Lions added defensive tackle Brodric Martin. In 2022, they selected defensive end Josh Paschal.

The Okwara brothers (Julian and Romeo) and veteran Charles Harris are also among the group of players the Lions hope will support the team’s projected top two pass rushers — Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.

It’s difficult to predict exactly where Onwuzurike fits into that mix.

USA Today’s Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon projected Onwuzurike will need to beat out undrafted free agents Chris Smith and Cory Durden for a roster spot.

Could the Lions Release Levi Onwuzurike?

Assuming the medical staff clears Onwuzurike to play, it will not be easy for the Lions to decide what to do with him this offseason. The ultimate decision on his future with Detroit could come down to how badly the Lions feel they need all of their depth pass rushers to contribute this season.

Recovery from back surgery is tricky. Even with Onwuzurike making strides in his recovery from October back surgery, he may not be 100% by the end of training camp. It could also be until the 2024 season before he’s fully himself again.

“You can’t just go from not playing to playing,” Onwuzurike told The Detroit News this offseason. “You have to inch toward that goal.”

With the Lions projected to be contenders in 2023, cutting an edge rusher who can help in Week 1 while Onwuzurike may still be working back to full health is not ideal. But if there simply isn’t room for the former second-round pick on the roster, then the Lions will likely have no choice but to consider cutting Onwuzurike.

However, if the Detroit coaching staff remains high on Onwuzurike’s upside, then look for the team to do everything to find a roster spot for him and support his recovery.

Louis Riddick Predicts Bold 2023 Finish for Jared Goff, Lions

Dave Holcomb — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 17:08:08 +0000

It’s been 32 years since the Detroit Lions won a playoff game and advanced to the NFC Championship. ESPN’s Louis Riddick predicted both droughts to end at the conclusion of the 2023 season.

“I believe that Detroit is poised to make a huge, huge leap this year and be a major, major player in the postseason,” Riddick said while appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on June 22. “And one of the primary reasons is because I believe … Jared Goff has found the [best] situation for him now.

“I think he is going to take another step this year, and you’re going to see it manifest itself in them being in the NFC title game.”

This is hardly the first time Riddick has hyped the Lions this offseason. In fact, Riddick hyping the Lions has been such a common occurrence this offseason, SB Nation’s Jeremy Reisman called Riddick the conductor of the Lions offseason bandwagon.

Riddick Doubles Down on Lions, Predicts an NFC Championship Appearance

Riddick jumped on the Detroit bandwagon about 10 minutes into the offseason.

“I said this in January, right after they were down mopping Lambeau with the Packers,” Riddick said while appearing on The Rich Eisen Show on May 16. “That’s Detroit. This team, has got it going on.”

During that appearance, Riddick complimented quarterback Jared Goff and called rookie signal caller Hendon Hooker Detroit’s future behind center.

But on June 22 on Get Up, Riddick was all in on Goff.

“When you look at Jared’s season last year — you can subjectively say, ‘Look, I don’t like the guy. Sean McVay got rid of him. He’s not a big-game performer.’ Whatever,” Riddick said. “If you look at him objectively, this guy, as far as all QB metrics, when you splice it apart, he was nailing it in every single critical category.

“He was top-10 in total QBR, he was second in the NFL in fourth quarter QBR. He’s top 10, top 11 in red zone QBR, third down QBR, QBR in the pocket, QBR outside the pocket. They have got it going on with Jared Goff right now.”

Goff excelled in the more traditional statistics as well. He completed 65.1% of his passes for 4,438 yards and 29 touchdowns with only 7 interceptions in 2022. His touchdown percentage was its highest since 2018, and his interception rate was the lowest of his career.

Other Reason to Believe in Lions Hype

It’s easy to be believers in the Lions because of Goff and the team’s offensive playmakers. But Riddick made another important point to Eisen on May 16 and on his own network on June 22.

In both media appearances, Riddick called Detroit’s offensive line one of the top 3 lines in the entire NFL.

Pro Football Focus ranked the Lions offensive line ninth in run blocking and 22nd in pass blocking last season. But it wasn’t a completely healthy unit.

The key to Detroit’s offensive line fulfilling Riddick’s top 3 expectation this season will likely be health.

Last season, starting right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai missed every game because of a back injury. Fellow guard Jonah Jackson also sat out four games because of various injuries.

Against, the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving last year, the Lions were down to practice squad players on the interior of their offensive line.

The health of the offensive line is already surfaced as a potential problem again for Detroit. Center Frank Ragnow shared with the media on May 18 that he “has no healthy tissue left” in his left toe and called the tear he suffered in the foot’s plantar plate in 2021 “inoperable.”

Ragnow first sustained that injury in 2021 and then re-injured the foot in Week 1 last year.

The hope, though, is Ragnow can deal with the pain, and Vaitai bounces back from back surgery. The Lions will need them to fulfill Riddick’s bold prediction and make the second NFC Championship Game in franchise history.

Recent Lions 3rd-Round Pick in ‘Real Peril’ of Not Making Final Roster

Nathan Dougherty — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 21:04:17 +0000

After a turbulent rookie season and a position change in his second season, Ifeatu Melifonwu could face a battle to even make the Detroit Lions‘ final roster this summer.

Melifonwu came to the Lions as a third-round draft pick in 2021 but failed to make much of an impression his rookie year as he appeared in just seven games. The 24-year-old moved from cornerback to safety for his second season in the NFL, but was still unable to make a significant impact.

Now, Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire has pegged Melifonwu as a player on the “hot seat” this summer, noting that he is far from a lock to make the final 53-man roster.

Rough Start for Lions Defensive Back

As Risdon noted, the Lions seem to have struggled with where to put the former Syracuse standout in their secondary.

“Melifonwu enters his third season with the Lions in real peril of not even making the team,” Risdon wrote. “The 2021 third-round pick started out at cornerback and fizzled as a rookie. In 2022 the Lions moved him to safety and he struggled even more.”

Risdon added that Melifonwu’s struggles are not all attributed to his play, as he battled multiple injuries that cut into each of his first two seasons in the NFL. Melifonwu spoke last year about the “speed bumps” in his career, saying he worked hard to stay connected mentally.

Ifeatu Melifonwu has regularly shown up in my practice notes, in a good way. Coach Dan Campbell confirmed what I've been seeing, noting the third-year DB has had one of the better offseaons to date. https://t.co/rhPvQzHx6T

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) June 9, 2023

“Mentally, I feel like I’ve handled it pretty well,” he told SI.com’s All Lions in October 2022. “I feel like I easily could have checked out. I feel like that happens a lot with some people, but I feel like mentally, I’m doing the best I can. I think I have good people around me, good teammates, family around me that helps keep me grounded. So, I think I’ve dealt with it pretty well.”

Hope for Ifeatu Melifonwu as Season Approaches

As Risdon noted, the Lions appear to remain committed to finding the right spot for Melifonwu. He spent time at free safety through the team’s minicamp, showing some promise there.

“The team is trying to find any position in the secondary where the physically gifted Melifonwu would be one of the two best options,” Risdon wrote. “The early returns from minicamp showed some progress at free safety, but Melifonwu will need to keep it up.”

Lions head coach Dan Campbell noted that he has seen some growth in Melifonwu this offseason and was confident he could pick up the position if given the right amount of time.

“Yeah, I would say you see growth,” Campbell told reporters on June 8. “To your point, he’s relatively new to the position and you’re right, the injuries hurt him, not being able to get the reps, the repetitions, added time on task. So, this is one of the few times that we’ve had him for a significant amount of time, consistently, consecutively, and so that in itself is paying dividends right now.”

Cambell also shared some praise for Melifonwu’s work ethic and football IQ, which could help him later in the summer if he should find himself in a battle for a roster spot.

“He’s coming along,” Cambell said. “And look here’s the thing, Iffy’s a pretty smart player, he really is, like he gets it. He just needs time. He needs time on task, he needs reps, like a lot of young guys do.”

Lions Floated as Potential Destination for RB Alternative to Dalvin Cook

Dave Holcomb — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 21:01:10 +0000

There’s little question about who is the best available running back in NFL free agency this summer. That would be Dalvin Cook, who was a thorn in side of the Detroit Lions for six seasons while with the Minnesota Vikings.

With the Lions signing David Montgomery and drafting Jahmyr Gibbs this offseason, there’s very, very little chance of Detroit being interested in Cook. But the Lions targeting a free agent running back alternative to Cook isn’t out of the question.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon called James Robinson one of two alternatives to Cook.

“Injuries may be a concern after he failed to stick with the New England Patriots this offseason, but you’d have to imagine Robinson would come cheap as a result,” wrote Gagnon.

“He’s only a year removed from back-to-back strong seasons to start his career, including over 1,000 yards as a rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he’s still just 24 years old.”

Gagnon labeled Robinson an alternative to Cook about a week after Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher mentioned the former rookie star running back as an option for the Lions.

Robinson rushed for 1,070 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per carry during his rookie 2020 season. In 2021, he had 767 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns.

Last season, Robinson played seven games for the Jacksonville Jaguars and four contests for the New York Jets. Jacksonville traded him to the Jets on October 25.

In 11 total games last season, Robinson ran for 425 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Lions Connected to RB James Robinson

Gagnon didn’t link Robinson to the Lions or any other team while naming him a free agent alternative to Cook. But on June 15, Booher called Robinson one of six free agents the Lions could target before the season.

“After bursting onto the scene as an undrafted free agent, Robinson has struggled to find his footing the last two seasons,” Booher wrote. “He rushed for 1,070 yards as a rookie but has been limited by injury in each of the previous two campaigns.

“Most recently, he was released by the New England Patriots.”

If healthy, Robinson would be a nice addition to most NFL backfields. The question, though, is whether he is healthy.

SI.com’s Albert Breer reported the New England Patriots included three injury waivers in their two-year contract with Robinson. ESPN’s Mike Reiss tweeted that although “it might be a coincidence”, the Patriots released Robinson “at a time when players are undergoing physicals at mandatory minicamp.”

But as Gagnon wrote, the health concerns could lower Robinson’s price. That may help make him an appealing addition to a team such as the Lions.

How Robinson Could Fit With the Lions

It wouldn’t be wise for a team to count on Robinson for a lot of production. In Detroit’s case, though, the team has its top two running backs spots set with Montgomery and Gibbs.

On paper, veteran Craig Reynolds is a solid choice for RB3 in Detroit. But The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy wrote on May 22 that undrafted free agent Mohamed Ibrahim could push Reynolds for the job.

Bringing in Robinson to compete for that spot too wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Obviously, Cook wouldn’t fit that role. Neither would most of the other top free agent options at running back — Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt.

Robinson, though, could be a player who agrees to join a team to compete for a No. 3 job.

“He could bounce back from recent struggles by coming to Detroit and winning the (No. 3) job, or provide competition for the others on roster at the very least,” wrote Booher.

Spotrac projected Robinson’s market value to be roughly $15.4 million on a four-year contract.

But Robinson seems to be an unlikely candidate to earn that long of a contract because of his injury concerns. Spotrac’s prediction of Robinson being worth an average annual salary of about $3.8 million may be a little high too.

Before his release, New England signed Robinson to a two-year, $4 million contract this offseason.

Former Lions Starter Earns Honor as One of USFL’s Top Players

Nathan Dougherty — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 23:15:42 +0000

John Atkins Sr. had a mostly unremarkable two-season tenure with the Detroit Lions, but now is making the most of his second chance in the USFL.

The nose tackle earned All-USFL team honors, the league announced on June 22. The 30-year-old made 29 total tackles this season including two sacks, and earned Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 7.

Your 2023 All-USFL Team defense 🔥

Which one of these players impressed you the most this season? pic.twitter.com/8Nqc0OQ1fh

— USFL (@USFL) June 21, 2023

Atkins joins a number of other former Lions players who made an impression in the second season of the revived league.

Former Lions Star Shines in USFL

Atkins appeared in 14 games over two seasons in Detroit in 2018 and 2010, with six starts in the 2019 season. He made a total of 22 tackles during that time, serving as the anchor of the team’s defensive line.

NINE-NINE! Another sack for @John_Boy77 💪

🎥: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/X8f3aY5G68

— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) May 28, 2023

After Atkins chose to take a COVID opt-out in the 2020 season, he spent time with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 without ever making the active roster, then joined the USFL last year in its inaugural season.

The former Georgia Bulldogs star told The McDuffie Progress in 2022 that he saw the new league as an opportunity to show what he could still do on the field.

“I wanted to showcase I could still play,” Atkins said.

Atkins was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL’s draft in 2022, playing one season there before transferring to the Memphis Showboats when the Bandits franchise went on hiatus.

Atkins still has some bigger plans beyond the USFL, telling The McDuffie Progress that he would like to play in the NFL again.

“I want to get back to the NFL, get back into shape, work on my craft, and get better,” Atkins said.

A number of players have already made the jump from the USFL to the NFL, with Fox Sports reporting that 15 former USFL players made final cuts on NFL teams last summer.

The Lions found talent in the USFL last year, signing wide receiver Maurice Alexander after a strong season with the Philadelphia Stars where he caught 20 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns.

Alexander spent most of the season on Detroit’s practice squad but was elevated to the active roster for three games, and signed a reserve/futures contract with the Lions in January.

Other Former Lions Players Shine in USFL

As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted, a number of other former Detroit players were honored on the All-USFL teams — including a former college teammate of Atkins.

“Atkins’ college teammate at Georgia, DT Toby Johnson, ended the 2017 NFL season on Detroit’s practice squad,” Risdon wrote. “He had a chance to make the squad in 2018 but suffered an injury and was released off the Lions’ injured reserve during the roster cutdowns. Johnson had an outstanding season for the New Jersey Generals, making All-USFL for the second straight year.”

Cornerback Mark Gilbert, who played eight games for the Lions in the 2021 season, was also honored on the All-USFL team after leading the league with four interceptions. Offensive tackle Jarron Jones, who was on the Lions’ practice squad in 2018, also earned All-USFL honors for the second straight season.

Lions Have Chance to Sign Former $64 Million Star Pass Rusher

Dave Holcomb — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 17:18:21 +0000

The Detroit Lions have been connected through rumors with a lot of different veteran pass rushers both in trades and free agency. The most popular of which has been Detroit as a destination for 24-year-old Chase Young.

But one other veteran the Lions have a chance of adding to their roster this summer is 34-year-old Melvin Ingram.

Potentially entering his 12th NFL season, Ingram has racked up 57 sacks, 81 tackles for loss and 16 forced fumbles in his successful career. From 2017-19, he made three straight Pro Bowls for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Just before that three-year stretch, the Chargers signed Ingram to a four-year, $64 million contract.

Even at 34, he could still be useful to the Lions on a much cheaper, one-year deal in 2023.

How Ingram Could Fit With the Lions

Detroit re-signed John Cominsky and Isaiah Buggs at defensive end. The Lions also added defensive tackle Christian Covington in free agency.

But the Lions finished 19th in sacks last season with just 39. Furthermore, nearly half of their sacks (17.5) came from just two players — Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.

Head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions are counting on linebackers Charles Harris and Julian Okwara returning to their 2021 forms. Harris and Okwara had 7.5 and 5 sacks, respectively, in 2021 but spent large parts of last season dealing with injuries.

Still, the Lions could use another pass rusher to support their young edge players. Ingram could be just the right fit on a one-year deal.

Ingram began his career as a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft. He had 18.5 sacks over two seasons with the Chargers before landing his big contract with the team. He had another double-digit sack season in 2017.

He appeared to be winding down his career when he had just 2 sacks in 22 games during 2020-21. But last season, Ingram had his best statistical campaign since his last Pro Bowl season.

In 17 games with the Miami Dolphins last year, he had 22 combined tackles, including 7 for loss, 10 quarterback hits, and 6 sacks. He also had 1 pass defense and 1 forced fumble.

Advantages of Lions Signing Ingram Instead of Other Pass Rushers

At 34, Ingram might not be the true difference maker the Lions defense needs to make a leap with their pass rush. But the veteran offers a couple advantages over other options.

To acquire Young, the Lions may have to give up a Day 2 draft pick and a quality depth player. Presumably, Detroit wouldn’t do that without reassurance that Young would agree to a long-term deal.

But without that reassurance, Young only benefits the Lions for 2023 just like Ingram would. And the Lions could add Ingram without having to trade away a player or draft capital.

The Lions signing Yannick Ngakoue has been another popular rumor this offseason. Ngakoue told SiriusXM NFL Radio on June 2 that he would really prefer to sign a long-term deal.

The hope in Detroit is the team’s young pass rushers become big stars. So, the need for Ngakoue beyond 2023 might not be enough for general manager Brad Holmes to offer him a lucrative long-term deal.

There’s also always the worry that adding a player with the talent of Ngakoue or Young could take away opportunities from a pass rusher the Lions are trying to develop.

Signing Ingram probably won’t do that. But having him on the roster gives the Lions another pass rushing weapon and insurance along the edge.

‘Hypocritical’ NFL Faces Growing Pressure to Cut Suspension to Lions WR

Nathan Dougherty — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 00:57:43 +0000

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams took responsibility for the sports betting that led the NFL to slap him with a six-game suspension, but admitted he was not even aware of what rule he broke.

The league may now be admitting its own role in the confusion, issuing a new guidance that more clearly spells out what players cannot do regarding sports betting. As the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted on Twitter, the league put out a six-point guidance stressing that they cannot ever bet on NFL games, have someone bet on their behalf, or place a bet while at a team facility — which includes hotels during road games.

Rapoport added that the league would be more proactive in teaching the rules to rookies entering the league.

On an NFL conference call discussing the league gambling policy and education, here are the 6 key rules for players: pic.twitter.com/Fg5yFMVbek

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 20, 2023

The guidance has drawn new attention to Williams’ suspension, which some supporters believe is too harsh in retrospect.

NFL Under Pressure

As SI.com’s John Maakaron noted, the new guidance from the NFL was seen by some as a tacit admission that it did not do enough to clarify the rules, leading to Williams’ unwittingly falling astray. That has led some to call on the league to slash the six-game suspension to something shorter.

“As a result of the league basically acknowledging players were not fully aware of the rules or were not emphasized enough, supporters of the Lions are clamoring for a decreased suspension for the talented wideout,” Maakaron wrote.

In response to Rapoport’s tweet about the new emphasis, a number of fans shared the hashtag #FreeJamo in support of the Lions receiver. Some explicitly called out the NFL for what they saw as selective enforcement of rules that were not made clear to players.

With new gambling policies, the NFL is admitting they screwed Jameson Williams.@DetroitOnLion has some thoughts: https://t.co/R9ctvpMq3d

— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) June 21, 2023

As Maakaron added, the league has added that it would be doing more to proactively teach players. Jeff Miller, the league’s executive vice president of communications, acknowledged that the increased prevalence of sports gambling means the league must take more efforts to prevent players from improper betting.

“So, sports gambling has a great deal more presence in people’s lives than it did just a few short years ago, which means for us as a sports league — where integrity of the game is the highest single principle — that we have to be thoughtful and careful and scrutinize how we share information and educate people around the rules that govern it,” he said.

Suspension Will Likely Stand, Insider Says

Despite the pressure the league may face calls to cut Williams’ suspension, insider Jeff Risdon wrote that it is unlikely to change. The USA Today writer noted that the Lions receiver serves as an example to other players not to break the rules, “no matter how nonsensical, hypocritical and inconsistent those rules might be.”

While Williams earned some praise for taking responsibility, Risdon added that his admission of guilt makes it all the more unlikely that the league will alter his suspension.

“The NFL is not going to lay down the precedence of shortening the suspension of a player who acknowledged his own violation of the rules,” he wrote. “They don’t do it with performance-enhancing drugs; they certainly won’t with something they’re heavily emphasizing now like gambling.”

Lions Implored to Offer Extension to 3-Year Starter as Final Offseason Move

Dave Holcomb — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:00:47 +0000

There have been rumblings around the Detroit Lions that they could sign wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins or Yannick Ngakoue before training camp. Rumors have also swirled that the Lions should pursue additions to receiver and defensive line through a blockbuster trade.

As for their current roster, the Lions presumably have a contract extension to work out with quarterback Jared Goff. Detroit general manager Brad Holmes shared on May 2 that the contract negotiations with Goff were “in a good place.”

But ESPN’s Field Yates isn’t calling for the Lions to do any of that. Instead, he labeled giving guard Jonah Jackson a contract extension should be the team’s final move this offseason.

“An unmistakable part of the Lions’ offensive identity is their nasty offensive line, with Jackson as a key cog in that operation,” Yates wrote. “He is extension-eligible for the first time in his career this offseason and would seem a prime candidate for Detroit to reinvest in.

“One reality for the Lions is that they don’t have many glaring roster holes, and many of their best players are either already extended long term or not yet extension-eligible (Amon-Ra St. Brown, for example). That’s a sign of just how far this team has come and offers plenty of hope for the 2023 season.”

Jackson is due to make $2.992 million as his base salary in 2023. His cap hit will be the same.

The 26-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Lions Urged to Sign Guard Jonah Jackson to Extension

Maybe some Detroit fans will take issue with Jackson’s extension being the team’s top priority before training camp. But it’s hard to argue the Lions should re-sign the guard.

Jackson has made 45 starts since Detroit selected him at No. 75 overall in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. He started every game as a rookie and has missed just five games over the past two years.

In 2021, Jackson earned a Pro Bowl nomination. That season, Pro Football Focus ranked him one of the best 20 guards in the NFL based on their player grades.

His PFF grade fell in 2022 but by only 3 points (only a scale to 100). He remained particularly strong at run blocking, grading as one of the top 10 guards in that category according to the PFF grades.

The Atlanta Falcons signed guard Chris Lindstrom to a five-year, $105 million extension this offseason. On June 10, Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher wrote Jackson “could command a similar contract while not receiving as extensive of a raise.”

The Lions have $22.95 million in salary cap space remaining for the 2023 season. They have the room to give Jackson a raise if they follow Yates’ proposal and make Jackson’s extension their final major move of the offseason.

Jackson Would ‘Love to Retire a Lion’

The first step to signing any player to a contract extension is the player wanting to stay with the team. Jackson clearly made that the case at minicamp.

“I’d love to retire a Lion,” Jackson told the media on June 7. “I love this city. I have a great time here, enjoy everything about it from the sports to the people, the cuisine, you know, there’s nothing like it.”

The potentially tricky part about signing Jackson to a contract extension is not overspending. The Lions still need to re-sign Goff at some point and right tackle Penei Sewell will need a new deal sooner rather than later (the Lions could pick up Sewell’s fifth-year option to keep him through at least 2025).

But Jackson has earned a pay raise.

It may be surprising for some if the Lions award him with his raise instead of making another splash in free agency. But clearly, Yates won’t be shocked at all.

Lions WR Faces Growing Concern Over Shaky Performances, ‘Maturity’ Issues

Nathan Dougherty — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:31:20 +0000

The Detroit Lions had high hopes for wide receiver Jameson Williams when they snagged him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he failed to make much of an impression in an injury-shortened rookie season and the 22-year-old now faces growing questions as he heads into his second season.

Williams missed the first three months of the season as he completed rehab for a torn ACL, and failed to make much of an impression through six games as he made just one catch for 41 yards — though it was good for a touchdown. The Lions receiver will now miss the start of the coming season as he serves a six-game gambling suspension, which combined with some uneven performances in OTAs has raised some concerns for the coming season.

Jameson Williams Under Scrutiny

The Lions moved Williams along slowly in his rookie season, limiting his snaps over the final stretch of the season and gradually working him into the offense. There had been hopes that he could emerge as a major part of the passing game in 2023, but his gambling suspension will now keep him out until Week 7.

Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit noted some growing concerns about Williams, both physically and mentally.

“Obviously, the six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling rules puts a bit of a damper on expectations for Williams’ second year,” Reisman wrote. “The suspension will not only cost the team six games of Williams’ potential contributions, but it has also raised some questions about his maturity—some fair, some not so much.”

Jameson Williams says he wasn’t aware of the rule he violated. Says it took him by surprise. But he’s taking it on the chin and moving forward.

“I’m not a gambler. I’m a football player.” pic.twitter.com/iGXEYMOaNl

— Ben Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) May 25, 2023

The SB Nation writer added that Williams struggled at times through the team’s early practices, with quarterback Jared Goff growing visibly frustrated at times as he missed assignments.

“Beyond that, Williams’ game still looks a bit unrefined based on OTAs and minicamp,” Reisman wrote. “His chemistry with Goff is still clearly not there, there were issues with drops, and there are nuances to route running he’s still trying to learn.”

Williams also stirred up a minor controversy this offseason when he liked a tweet that suggested the Lions as a trade destination for quarterback Lamar Jackson, though both he and Goff have insisted there was no deeper meaning behind it and no tensions within the team.

Detroit Lions Legend Offers Help

Williams could have some help as he works to get his career back on track, with legendary Lions receiver Calvin Johnson saying publicly that he would like to mentor the young receiver. In an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket’s “Stoney and Jansen with Heather,” Johnson said he has been impressed with the talent he sees in Williams and wants to help him stay on track.

“I connected with Jamo yesterday really for the first time, and I look forward to just being around and being a shoulder for him to lean on,” Johnson said. “Extremely talented kid. We saw him when he touched the field last year for the first time. I look forward to just helping him build the level of consistency and being the pro he wants to be, man. Anything I can to do help him, I’ll do that and I’ll be there.”

Proposed Trade Ships Lions Longtime CB Starter

Dave Holcomb — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:58:59 +0000

The most popular summer rumors have the Detroit Lions acquiring depth or even an impactful starter either at wide receiver or along their defensive line. Some NFL analysts, including Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema, have identified those positions as areas of need for Detroit.

Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson didn’t ignore those position groups when discussing possible trades for the Lions. But he also proposed Detroit trading a Day 3 pick in a future NFL draft for veteran cornerback Levi Wallace.

“This offseason, the Lions attempted to address their secondary by signing corners Cam Sutton (three years, $33 million) and Emmanuel Moseley (one year, $6 million), but they allowed some of their depth to leave when they traded Okudah to the Falcons,” Robinson wrote. “Somewhat surprisingly, Detroit didn’t select a single cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“Moseley is still recovering from a torn ACL, and injury issues have cost him significant time over the course of his career. He was sidelined by a knee problem and a high-ankle sprain in 2021, while a concussion and a hamstring strain kept him off the field in 2020. If Moseley gets hurt again, the Lions would rely on Jerry Jacobs or Will Harris at outside corner.

“Wallace isn’t a world-beater, but he was a 45-game starter for the Bills from 2019-21 before joining the Steelers last offseason. He consistently plays above his traits and gets in the way of incoming throws, breaking up 23 passes over the past two seasons.”

In his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, Wallace played 15 games, starting nine of them. He recorded 48 combined tackles with 13 pass defenses. Wallace also had a career-high 4 interceptions.

Steelers Potentially Trading Levi Wallace?

Robinson argued that Wallace could be a trade target for the Lions because Pittsburgh may not see Wallace in their 2023 plans. The Steelers signed former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson and drafted Joey Porter Jr. this offseason.

Therefore, Wallace could be expendable. The Steelers could shop him on the trade market rather than sit him on the bench and lose him to free agency next March.

Wallace would be a rental player for Detroit, but Robinson referred to his potential addition as “offering the Lions much-needed depth” at cornerback.

Robinson didn’t get any more specific about what the Lions should offer for Wallace other than mentioning his worth as Day 3 pick. Even if that’s a fourth-rounder, which it probably wouldn’t be, that’s not a bad price to pay for a cornerback with 61 career starts.

How Wallace Fits With the Lions

Wallace began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2018. He didn’t make his NFL debut until Week 10 that season, but Wallace started the final seven contests and then became a regular in the Bills lineup in 2019.

From 2019-21, Wallace started every game he played in for Buffalo — 45 games. He twice started each contest of a season in 2019 and 2021.

Wallace signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Steelers last offseason.

In five NFL seasons, Wallace has recorded 10 interceptions and 43 pass defenses. He’s also registered 267 combined tackles, including 7 for loss and 2 quarterback hits.

As Robinson noted, newly signed Cameron Sutton (a former Steelers cornerback) and Emmanuel Moseley are expected to start at cornerback for the Lions in 2023. But Moseley is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 5 last year.

The Lions have cornerbacks Will Harris and Jerry Jacobs as well. They each started at least eight games for Detroit last season.

Harris and Jacobs should be comfortable in a starting role, but with those cornerbacks playing about two-thirds of Detroit’s defensive snaps in 2022, the Lions finished 30th in passing yards allowed.

Wallace would give the Lions depth but also another starting option if Moseley isn’t ready to begin the season.

In addition to Wallace, Robinson also proposed wide receiver Corey Davis and defensive tackle Zach Sieler as possible trade targets for the Lions.

5 NFL Offensive Rookies Who Could Be Immediate Stars

Matt Lombardo — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 09:00:05 +0000

The 2023 NFL season is rapidly approaching, and this spring’s draft picks have gotten their first taste of life in the NFL during OTAs and minicamps, so it is fair to begin projecting which rookies have the best chance of becoming immediate stars this fall.

Who will follow in the footsteps of Christian Watson, Kenneth Walker Jr., Garrett Wilson, and Brock Purdy as the offensive players who made their presence felt out of the chute and had a significant impact on their team’s season?

Here’s a look at the five offensive rookies who have a legitimate chance to make a significant impact on their teams during the 2023 season.

5. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

There might not be a rookie receiver who fell into a better position than Zay Flowers with the Baltimore Ravens.

Flowers is a prototypical field-stretcher with 4.2 40-yard dash speed, and he lands in an offense where he’ll be on the receiving end of passes from Lamar Jackson and surrounded by playmakers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman who will command plenty of attention from opposing defenses.

If Baltimore becomes an offense that pushes the ball vertically downfield, and Jackson continues to make the strides as a passer he showed prior to getting injured last season, Zay stands to be the biggest beneficiary.

4. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

The Lions are so all-in on Jahmyr Gibbs, that Detroit flipped D’Andre Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles in a draft weekend trade.

It’s Gibbs’ show in the Motor City, after averaging 6.1 Yards per Carry last season at Alabama and finishing sixth among running backs with a 1.83 Yards per Route run in the receiving game.

“He’s fast, elusive, instinctive, and can break off a big run at any time,” an NFC scouting director told Heavy. “He’s not overly powerful, but should complement David Montgomery very well in that backfield.”

Gibbs’ burst gives him the chance to be a slasher both on zone runs and getting to the outside, while his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield could create new layers to the Detroit Lions‘ offense.

3. Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young hasn’t wasted any time making an impact.

Before training camp even gets underway this summer, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich has already named Bryce Young the team’s starting quarterback, after choosing him with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s 2023 draft.

Young represents Reich’s first chance to develop a young quarterback since playing a hand in turning Carson Wentz into an MVP candidate in his second NFL season, and the Panthers have done their part to set the Alabama product up for immediate success after adding Adam Thielen, Miles Sanders, and reliable tight end Hayden Hurst to his arsenal. Young has the opportunity to provide much-needed stability in Carolina, which would be a big upgrade at quarterback.

2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

It might be easy for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to get lost in a Seattle Seahawks receiving corps that includes D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but that would certainly be a mistake for opposing defensive backs.

Smith-Njigba is one of the more athletically gifted receiver prospects to enter the draft in recent years.

“He’s an exciting young player,” an NFC wide receivers coach told Heavy. “He’ll be an instant chain-mover on third down. Watching him, he’s extremely quick, plus he has all the natural instincts and ball skills that will allow him to be great early on.”

He was also ridiculously productive last season at Ohio State. During the 2021 campaign, Smith-Njigba averaged 16.8 Yards per Catch, while pulling down 95 of 112 targets for 1,595 yards and 9 touchdowns.

“Jaxon’s going to be a great fit with Lockett and Metcalf,” the coach explained. “They’re going to help him get up to speed quickly. I think he’s going to have a great rookie year.”

Seattle just might have the most complete receiving corps in the league, and Smith-Njigba has the chance to be an immediate playmaker in it.

1. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson is a silky smooth but ridiculously explosive runner, who now becomes potentially the focal point of the Atlanta Falcons‘ offense.

Not only did Robinson lead the nation in forced missed tackles, with 104, but 1,071 of his 1,575 rushing yards in 2022 came after contact, demonstrating just how equally elusive, explosive, and difficult he is to bring down. But, that’s not all, Robinson also logged 21 explosive runs of 10 yards or more.

“All the people criticizing the Falcons taking Bijan Robinson will be eating crow,” an AFC scout told Heavy during the NFL draft. “Bijan’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Marshall Faulk.”

Atlanta has quietly built an exciting young supporting cast around quarterback Desmond Ridder, but Robinson not only has the most upside but might play the biggest role in 2023 of any of the young weapons in the Falcons’ offense.

Lions Advised to Target Pro Bowl Pass Rusher in Free Agency

Nathan Dougherty — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 01:42:17 +0000

The Detroit Lions have made it a priority to improve a defense that ranked at the bottom of the NFL last season, and after some key additions through the draft and free agency they could still have one more big move to make.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes said after the conclusion of last season that the team would look to bolster a defense that relied heavily on a group of rookies, and SI.com’s Christian Booher identified a free agent who might be able to help — Pro Bowl edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue. The veteran is one of the top remaining free agents, and Booher wrote that he could give a needed boost to a pass rush that showed flashes of strong play last year.

Detroit Lions Could Bring ‘More Heat Off the Edge’

In a June 15 rundown of some potential free agents for the Lions to target, Booher noted that Ngakoue would be a solid addition alongside second-year standouts Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.

“Detroit has plenty of pop at the spot already, but Ngakoue could make a strong impression if he gets an opportunity,” Booher wrote.

“If the Lions are looking for more heat off the edge, Ngakoue brings it,” he added. “He has taken his lumps as a run-defender, but he still has the ability to put pressure on the quarterback.”

Ngakoue had a strong season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, racking up 29 total tackles including 9.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits. While he is now six years removed from his lone Pro Bowl season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 28-year-old edge rusher has never had fewer than eight sacks in a season during his career.

Players to record 8+ sacks in each of their first seven seasons in the NFL:

HoF Reggie White (1985-91)
HoF Derrick Thomas (1989-95)
HoF DeMarcus Ware (2005-11)
Aaron Donald (2014-20)
𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙉𝙜𝙖𝙠𝙤𝙪𝙚 (2016-22)#NFL | @YannickNgakoue pic.twitter.com/bleaUMuEoy

— UltimateFan (@UltimateFanUSA) June 18, 2023

Ngakoue is seen as one of the top defensive free agents still available, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that he is taking steps to ensure he finds the right destination for next season.

“Colts’ free-agent DE Yannick Ngakoue, one of the top remaining unsigned free agents, has hired Drew Rosenhaus to get him signed before training camps begins,” Schefter tweeted on June 13.

Other Pass Rush Options for Detroit Lions

The Lions could have some other options available if they choose to add a veteran to the pass rush mix. In a previous article for SI.com’s All Lions, Booher pegged veteran Frank Clark as another potential free-agent target who could help their promising young players develop.

“The Lions have a very promising core of EDGE rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston. Both are entering their second season, and with high expectations,” Booher wrote.

“Behind them, Detroit has a mix of youth and veterans serving as depth. If the Lions were to add Clark, they would secure the services of a proven veteran who could mentor the young players on the defense.”

Clark signed a five-year, $104-million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs after a 2019 trade from the Seattle Seahawks, but was released in March when the two sides could not come together on a reworked deal.

Some insiders have hinted that Clark could be headed for a reunion with the Chiefs. Christian Martinez of UMKC Roo News wrote on Twitter that there is “belief” that he will be back in Kansas City, though the two sides have yet to hash out a deal.

Lions QB Jared Goff Entering ‘Make-or-Break’ Season: Insider

Nathan Dougherty — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 18:59:13 +0000

The Detroit Lions have their quarterback depth chart etched in stone as training camp approaches, but one insider believes they could be facing a controversy as soon as next year depending on how starter Jared Goff fares in the upcoming season.

Goff turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2022, completing 65.1% of his passes for 4,438 yards with 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. But with just two seasons left on his contract, SI.com’s Christian Booher noted that the Lions could face a looming decision whether to hand Goff an extension or plan to turn over the reins to a new quarterback of the future.

Detroit Lions Must Make Decision on Quarterback

As Booher noted, Goff’s strong end to the 2022 season erased any lingering questions about whether he might just be a bridge quarterback as the team seeks a permanent starter. The Lions must now determine whether to lock him down for longer than the next two seasons, Booher noted.

“The veteran will be under pressure to lead the Lions to fulfill their high expectations,” he wrote. “If he can lead the team to the playoffs and perhaps a postseason win, he should land an extension. However, struggles could force Detroit to look elsewhere.

“This upcoming season is a pivotal one for Goff and the future of the Lions at the quarterback position.”

There are already some rumblings that rookie Hendon Hooker could eventually challenge for the starting job. Though the former Tennessee quarterback is entering what head coach Dan Campbell called a “redshirt” season while he recovers from a torn ACL, Hooker has earned good reviews from the coaching staff and is expected to take on a bigger role next season.

Detroit #Lions head coach Dan Campbell says Jared Goff is a better QB now than he was with the #Rams:

“He hung in there, and I think what you're seeing is a guy who just put his head down and worked on what he could, tried to improve on what he could, and now his confidence is… pic.twitter.com/g5pt3g2Kbv

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 6, 2023

NFL.com writer Gregg Rosenthal believes Hooker could have the chance to compete on an even footing with Goff by next season.

“The Lions needed to upgrade their backup quarterback situation and did so with third-round pick Hendon Hooker,” Rosenthal wrote. “Give Hooker a year before he’s challenging Jared Goff for playing time.”

High Hopes for Jared Goff

The Lions may have already laid the groundwork for Goff’s contract extension. General manager Brad Holmes said in a May 2 appearance on 97.1 The Ticket’s “The Stoney & Jansen Show” that the team had spoken with Goff’s representation, but did not say how far the process was moving.

“We’ve had dialogue there,” Holmes said. “We’ve had dialogue with his agent, and we’re in a good place right now.”

SI.com’s Conor Orr believes Goff is headed for a deal that would eclipse the $40 million annual average the New York Giants gave to quarterback Daniel Jones, predicting that Goff was headed to another strong performance in 2023 and likely a contract extension before the season ends.

“He is going to throw for at least 28 touchdowns and 4,400 yards. Whether or not the Lions want to keep him long-term, he’s going to make a lot of money in 2024,” Orr wrote. “Goff is 28 and just rounding into the best years of his career. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions move to extend him midseason, especially if he’s playing well.”

Lions Urged to Explore Trading for Frustrated Superstar WR

Dave Holcomb — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:03:28 +0000

The Detroit Lions have been connected to quite a few veteran wide receivers in free agency. So naturally, when a receiver apparently becomes available in the trade market, Detroit is mentioned as a possible destination.

Buffalo Bills two-time All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs isn’t necessarily available for a trade. But the superstar wideout did not attend Bills mandatory minicamp. The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin reported Diggs is frustrated with his role in the offense and voice in the team’s offensive play-calling.

With that in mind, A to Z Sports’ Mike Payton proposed the Lions pursuing a trade for Diggs.

“If the Bills do decide to move on from Diggs, the Lions are a great fit for him,” Payton wrote. “Especially since there’s so many questions in their receiver room right now and the Lions will be without their presumed number two receiver for the first six games of the season.”

The receiver Payton is referring to is Jameson Williams, who will be suspended through Week 6 for gambling violations.

Lions Implored to Consider Trading for WR Stefon Diggs

It’s easy to see why the Lions would be interested in acquiring Diggs.

The 29-year-old has posted five consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s had at least 100 catches, 1,200 yards and 8 touchdowns while making the Pro Bowl in all three of his seasons with the Bills.

In 2020, he made first-team All-Pro while leading the NFL with 127 receptions and 1,535 receiving yards.

Last season, Diggs made second-team All-Pro with 1,429 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns.

Detroit could use that type of receiving talent. Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema ranked the Lions receiving core No. 23 in the NFL.

Putting it another way, the PFF analyst rated Detroit’s pass catchers a bottom 10 group in the league.

That’s debatable. But with Diggs, that ranking would change instantly. Detroit would have one of the best 1-2 receiver punches in the league with Diggs and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Last year, Diggs and St. Brown combined for 214 receptions, 2,590 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.

Is Diggs Tradeable?

The fantasy of the Lions trading for Diggs is undeniably fun to think about for Detroit fans. But there are a lot of questions about whether it’s realistic.

After Diggs didn’t attend the first day of Bills minicamp on June 13, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted about Diggs’ contract, which is going to make him very difficult to trade.

“Bills WR Stefon Diggs, who is absent from mandator minicamp today, is making $24.415 million in 2023, including a $22.745M signing bonus as part of a March restructure,” Pelissero wrote on Twitter. “A mountain of dead cap means his contract isn’t really tradable from Buffalo’s end. An unusual situation.”

#Bills WR Stefon Diggs, who is absent from mandatory minicamp today, is making $24.415 million in 2023, including a $22.745M signing bonus as part of a March restructure. A mountain of dead cap means his contract isn't really tradeable from Buffalo's end. An unusual situation.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 13, 2023

The Bills would have more than a $45.46 million in dead cap money spread out over 2023 and 2024 if they traded Diggs. That would rank among one of the biggest dead cap hits in NFL history.

It’s also worth wondering if the Lions would even be interested if Diggs became available. Head coach Dan Campbell was very complimentary of Detroit’s receiving core when asked if signing DeAndre Hopkins was an option for the Lions.

“I think we have a good mix of different types of guys. I think it’s important, really in your skilled positions, between tight ends, backs and receivers, that you have a mix of different types of skillsets, and I feel like we have that,” Campbell told the media at OTA practices on June 1.

“I just think we have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things. The more versatility that you have, that opens up your packages personnel wise and packages wise.”

Diggs has demanded a trade once before in his career. He played the first five seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, but the Vikings dealt him with a seventh-round choice to the Bills for four draft picks, including a 2020 first-rounder.

The price could be much lower for Diggs if he’s traded again. He turns 30 in November, and the Bills wouldn’t have much leverage if he forces himself out of Buffalo.

Diggs being upset with the Bills may date back to the playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Diggs was visibly upset with quarterback Josh Allen along the sidelines at the end of the game. The receiver also reportedly left the Bills locker room before the coaches addressed the team.

The Bills undoubtably have a lot to sort out with Diggs. But because of his contract, the team almost has no choice but to try and patch things up with the two-time All-Pro.

Proposed Trade Sends Lions Former Top 5 Draft Pick

Dave Holcomb — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 21:22:06 +0000

DeAndre Hopkins may be the more popular choice, but the possibility of the Detroit Lions trading for New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis appears to be gaining steam.

Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson identified the Lions as a potential fit for the Jets receiver, who could be pushed down the depth chart this season with New York adding Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Mecole Hardman at receiver.

Robinson proposed the Lions acquiring Davis and a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round choice. The PFN analyst argued the veteran receiver could be key for the Lions early in the season when they are missing second-year wideout Jameson Williams due to a gambling suspension.

“While the Lions have Pro Bowler Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot, they’ll be without Jameson Williams for six games following his gambling ban,” wrote Robinson. “Marvin Jones Jr. and Josh Reynolds are the next receivers up on the depth chart, and Detroit will have to rely on one of those veterans in three-WR sets even when Williams returns from suspension.

“Davis may never again manage the 65-984-5 line he posted with the Titans in 2021, but the Lions wouldn’t need him to be a WR1. With his size and power, Davis is one of the best blocking wide receivers in the league — while that’s not a trait that typically gets you paid in the NFL, it would likely endear Davis to Dan Campbell.”

In 13 games with the Jets last season, Davis, who was the No. 5 pick in the 2017 NFL draft, posted 32 catches for 536 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Trade Proposal Lands Lions WR Corey Davis

Rumors have swirled around Davis’ future with the Jets for much of the offseason. But the possibility of New York trading the veteran resurfaced after Davis missed the majority of the team’s offseason workouts.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that Davis didn’t attend offseason workouts because of family reasons. That’s also what Jets head coach Robert Saleh told the media on May 31.

“I believe they’re having another child, so I don’t think you guys will see him here,” Saleh said about Davis’ absence.

But while on “The Jake Asman Show,” Cimini also predicted that a pay cut is “coming for sure” for Davis.

The 28-year-old is entering the final year of the three-year $37.5 million deal he signed with the Jets prior to the 2021 season. His base salary for 2023 is set to be $10.5 million.

If Davis is indeed missing camp as a statement against a pay cut, teams interested in trading for Davis will have to consider this factor. But Robinson proposed Detroit, who has nearly $23 million in cap space, negotiating with Davis “as a precursor to the trade” before completing a trade for Davis.

In addition to Robinson, Fansided’s Brad Berreman has also been on board with the idea for the Lions acquiring Davis this offseason.

How Davis Potentially Fits With the Lions

Davis hasn’t lived up to the expectations he came into the league with as the No. 5 pick in the 2017 draft. He received 112 targets in his second season but posted just a 58% catch percentage, which led to 65 receptions for 891 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Davis has never surpassed 65 catches in a season. One positive from his career, though, was he did approach 1,000 receiving yards with 984 in 2020 thanks to a 15.1 yards per reception average.

Those big plays are what the Lions would be looking for in Davis if they traded for him. Without Williams, the Lions will be missing their fastest receiver for the first six games.

At 28 years old, Davis won’t replace Williams’ speed. But the veteran has been a big-play threat his entire career. He’s averaged 14.2 yards per catch in six NFL seasons. Last season, he posted a career-high 16.8 yards per reception average.

Davis is also a guy that wouldn’t cut into Williams’ playing time after he returns from his suspension. Signing Hopkins might be a bigger splash than trading for Davis would be, but Hopkins would expect to be on the field nearly all the time.

Having Davis for one season instead of Hopkins on a potentially multi-year deal may be a better option for Williams’ long-term development.

Lions Insider Shares Definitive Update on Teddy Bridgewater Rumors

Nathan Dougherty — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 18:29:40 +0000

The Detroit Lions made a strong bid at free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater earlier this offseason, but an insider said the team now appears content with their current stable of signal callers and unlikely to bring in any more competition.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on May 8 that the Lions had expressed significant interest in the former Minnesota Vikings starter and made a “strong” contract offer, but Bridgewater has yet to make a decision about his next destination. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy reported that Detroit’s quarterback room is likely set heading into the season.

Detroit Lions Quarterbacks Look Sharp in Practice

Pouncy noted that starter Jared Goff had a strong showing last season, especially late, and is set to return as the starter with no real competition for the job. Backup Nate Sudfeld had also looked sharp through the first few weeks of offseason practices, earning praise from quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell and cementing his spot as No. 2.

“Brunell said Nate Sudfeld was ‘perfect’ in a support role for Goff last year and mentioned his growth this offseason,” Pouncey reported. “Sudfeld ripped some impressive throws with the second-team offense in scrimmage periods. He’s a QB who knows the system, isn’t going to rock the boat and is willing to help others around him. The Lions clearly value that.”

GOOD MORNING 🤩🦁

Jared Goff. Jahmyr Gibbs. JG x2. 🔥 @JaredGoff16 @Jahmyr_Gibbs1 #OnePride

📸: @Lions pic.twitter.com/yiN5kveDkh

— Tony Dombrowski (@tonydombrowski) June 16, 2023

Rookie Hendon Hooker has not had much chance to show off his skills as he continued to rehab from an ACL tear that cut short his final season at Tennessee. But Pouncey noted that the team has high hopes for the rookie, and Brunell was impressed with the “mental reps” the rookie was able to take.

With three quarterbacks who have all earned the support of the coaching staff, Pouncey said the team would likely be done pursuing other options like Bridgewater.

“It sounds like the immediate pecking order will be Goff-Sudfeld-Hooker (when healthy), and at this point, an outsider like Teddy Bridgewater seems unlikely,” he wrote.

As Fowler reported in May, the Lions at the time were strong in their pursuit of Bridgewater.

“Free agent QB Teddy Bridgewater has interest from several teams, including a strong contract offer from the #Lions, per source,” Fowler reported on Twitter. “Bridgewater hasn’t decided where he’s playing as he takes his time this offseason. Bridgewater can reunite w/ Dan Campbell from their New Orleans days.”

Jared Goff Earns MVP Buzz

Goff is coming off one of the best seasons in his career, completing 65.1% of his passes for 4,438 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He helped to lead the Lions to a 9-8 record, their best finish since going 9-7 in 2017.

The Lions are going into the upcoming season as favorites to win the NFC North, and Goff has also earned some buzz as a contender for MVP. Writer Adam Schein of NFL.com listed Goff as a sleeper candidate for the award, though said he believes the Lions could have a more even balance of passing and running next season.

“Now, while I believe the Lions can break through into the playoffs, I don’t think they’ll be true Super Bowl contenders,” Schein wrote. “And while I like Goff to enjoy another fine season under brilliant young offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, I don’t think he’ll rank among the NFC’s top two quarterbacks again this fall. Partially because it appears Dan Campbell’s team could be looking to run teams over with a road-grading O-line and overhauled backfield.”

Lions Pressed to Consider Signing Former First-Round Pick

Dave Holcomb — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 17:15:30 +0000

The Detroit Lions adding DeAndre Hopkins has been such a popular rumor over the last three weeks, it’s easy to forget that there are other wide receivers available in free agency.

But Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher hasn’t forgotten. Booher named former first-round pick N’Keal Harry a receiver the Lions should consider signing.

“Injuries have plagued the former first-round pick throughout his brief NFL career,” Booher wrote. “Harry is still just 25 and could be worthy of a look through training camp as the Lions accumulate depth at wide receiver.

“He’s built like an ‘X’ receiver, which is a position of need for the Lions while Jameson Williams is sidelined for the first six games of the season. There’s also veterans in the receiver room who could help get him back on track after experiencing struggles early in his career.”

Harry has posted 64 receptions for 714 yards and 5 touchdowns in his four-year NFL career.

How Harry Potentially Fits With the Lions

NFL writer Brad Berryman of Fansided connected the Lions to Harry at the beginning of May. But even that wasn’t the first time the possibility of Harry going to Detroit was proposed.

Sports Illustrated’s John Maakaron asked whether the Lions should acquire Harry when the receiver requested a trade from the New England Patriots through his agent in July 2021. New England traded Harry a year later to the Chicago Bears.

The Patriots drafted Harry at No. 32 overall in the 2019 NFL draft. He began his career on injured reserve with an ankle issue and only played seven games as a rookie. While he played 14 games during his second season, he also began the 2021 season on IR because of a shoulder injury.

In three seasons with New England, Harry posted 57 receptions for 598 yards and 4 touchdowns.

With the Bears, Harry again started September on IR — once more because of his ankle. He played seven games for the Bears, recording only 7 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.

As Booher noted, Harry is an interesting possibility for the Lions this offseason because he can play the same position as Jameson Williams, who will miss the first six games due to a gambling suspension.

Harry wouldn’t bring the same pedigree or experience as a DeAndre Hopkins. But still only 25 years old, Harry has more future upside.

He also wouldn’t block Williams from getting snaps when he returns from his suspension. That will be a concern if the Lions sign Hopkins or another receiver with a similar stature.

Other Potential Free Agent WR Targets for Lions

In many ways, Harry is at the opposite end of the wide receiver free agency spectrum as Hopkins. While Hopkins would be a major splash signing, Harry is a reclamation project.

There’s other free agent receiving options in the middle if the Lions would prefer a less dramatic move than Hopkins but a more proven receiver than Harry.

Julio Jones, T.Y. Hilton and Sammy Watkins are all veteran wideouts still available. Although past their primes, they could help replace Williams’ speed for the first six weeks.

That could be especially true for Watkins, who averaged 20.3 yards per catch in a small sample last year.

Byron Pringle is another possibility. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the 2019 combine. Harry posted a 4.53 40-yard dash time at the same combine.

The options are there. The question is if the Lions consider their need at wide receiver big enough to bring in a free agent.

Lions Urged to Pursue 3-Time All-Pro WR as ‘Added Insurance’

Nathan Dougherty — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 01:55:27 +0000

The Detroit Lions could have a major offensive liability in the early stretch of the season, and one insider suggests they take out a high-profile insurance policy in the form of All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

The Lions have high hopes for the wide-receiving duo of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but the two won’t be on the field together until at least Week 7 as Williams serves out his six-game suspension. The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy believes that could leave the Lions vulnerable in the opening stretch of the season.

“We already know Jameson Williams will miss the first six games of the season, leaving the team without its main vertical threat,” Pouncy wrote. “But if Amon-Ra St. Brown goes down — especially during that six-game window — the Lions might have to get creative elsewhere.”

Detroit Lions Could Get in on DeAndre Hopkins Sweepstakes

That creativity, Pouncy suggested, could come in signing the now free-agent Hopkins.

“Josh Reynolds, Marvin Jones Jr. and Kalif Raymond are solid secondary options, but St. Brown is the only established difference-maker,” Pouncy wrote. “We saw what happened when he missed time a year ago. Part of me wonders if the Lions should pursue DeAndre Hopkins, for the right price, as added insurance.”

Without Hopkins, an early injury or other setback to the wide receiving corps could force the Lions to rely more heavily on other parts of their offense, Pouncy noted. The team did invest heavily in the run game, using a first-round draft pick on running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Gibbs told reporters this week that he hopes to make a difference as both a rusher and pass-catcher.

“I love how they use me,” Gibbs said at the conclusion of Detroit’s minicamp. “It’s something I’m used to – through high school, at Tech and at Bama. I’m pretty used to being used all around – learning all the routes and concepts.”

DeAndre Hopkins Getting Big Interest

Though the Arizona Cardinals were unable to find a trade partner for Hopkins, the wide receiver has gotten significant interest now that he is on the open market. He has taken visits to the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots, though may not be in a rush to make a decision. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that both Hopkins and the Patriots plan to take some time to assess their next steps after the conclusion of his visit.

News story: Free-agent WR DeAndre Hopkins concludes Patriots visit and, barring an unexpected turn, both sides are now expected to take some time to assess their next steps. https://t.co/1vIVslVu1Z

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 15, 2023

Reiss noted that Hopkins is earning some strong interest from the Patriots, including some public praise and a bit of recruiting from quarterback Mac Jones.

“I think DeAndre is a great player. You watch his film from college all the way through the NFL, he’s done a great job,” Jones said. “So obviously we’d love to have him, but we do have a great group of guys,” Jones said at the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp this week.

“I’ve been really pleased with the playmakers we have on the team; we’ve come out here and really bought into the system. We have a good group and I feel like we need to keep growing together and whoever is in that room, we’re going to try to dominate together.”

Ex-Lions Star T.J. Hockenson Projected to Sign Monster Contract With Vikings

Dave Holcomb — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 22:31:15 +0000

When the Detroit Lions dealt tight end T.J. Hockenson at the NFL trade deadline last season, he remained in the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings. Hockenson may stay in that division for a long time.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported on June 15 that the Vikings plan to offer Hockenson a long-term contract as early as before the end of August.

“While the Vikings’ financial attention has been occupied elsewhere this offseason, most notably in a complicated contract negotiation with All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson, it’s clear they plan to address Hockenson’s deal as well. Progress is more likely to take place later this summer,” wrote Seifert.

Hockenson will play this season on his fifth-year option from his rookie contract. The Vikings must offer him a contract extension to keep him beyond 2023.

T.J. Hockenson’s Market Value for the Vikings

Heavy’s Max Dible wrote that the Vikings’ offseason has mostly been about trimming their budget. Exhibit A was when the team released running back Dalvin Cook despite the fact that he’s made each of the last four Pro Bowls.

But Dible predicted that the budget trimming for the Vikings won’t last much longer. In addition to Hockenson, Minnesota also needs to sign wide receiver Justin Jefferson to a contract extension.

Jefferson will be the more difficult deal, but Hockenson might not be a walk in the park either. Spotrac projected the market value of the former Lions first-round pick to be about $57.7 million on a four-year contract (average annual salary of roughly $14.4 million).

Such a deal would make Hockenson the second-highest paid tight end in NFL history behind only San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle.

With such a contract, Hockenson would go on a deal with a little more value than the current contract for 4-time first-team All-Pro Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

On paper, it doesn’t seem like Hockenson should be paid as much as Kelce. But like Kelce, two other tight ends — Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews — are currently on contracts worth between $56-$58 million in total value.

Hockenson had more receptions, yards and touchdowns than both Goedert or Andrews in 2022. With 86 receptions, 914 yards and 6 touchdowns last year, Hockenson had his best season in the NFL during 2022

In 10 games for the Vikings, Hockenson recorded 60 catches for 519 yards and 3 scores.

Coming off career numbers is exactly when players cash in the biggest payday. Based on Seifert’s report, Hockenson can expect that despite the Vikings signing tight end Josh Oliver in free agency this offseason.

How the Lions Plan to Replace Hockenson

It didn’t take Detroit very long to replace Hockenson. Lions general manager Brad Holmes drafted Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta at No. 34 in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Hockenson and several other NFL tight ends, including Kittle, are also from Iowa.

LaPorta has a chance to play a significant role for the Lions this season. The other tight ends on Detroit’s roster are Brock Wright and James Mitchell, both of whom are younger than 25 and have under 35 receptions in their careers.

If the offseason workouts are any indication, the rookie tight end is on his way to perhaps starting this season. The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy called LaPorta the team’s best player at rookie minicamp.

LaPorta registered 153 catches for 1,786 yards and 5 touchdowns in four seasons at Iowa.

Lions Urged to Consider Bringing Back Former Second-Round Pick

Dave Holcomb — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:02:35 +0000

The Detroit Lions have been connected to big-named players such as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and defensive end Chase Young this offseason. But perhaps a more realistic free agency addition for the Lions this summer is a quality, complimentary veteran, especially on defense.

Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher proposed the Lions consider signing outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

The Lions drafted the 32-year-old in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft.

“If the Lions are interested in bringing back another veteran, Van Noy could be a candidate ahead of the preseason,” Booher wrote. “He played three seasons with the Lions, the third of which saw him traded to the Patriots.

“Since that trade, he’s been able to carve out a solid career. The 32-year-old has won two Super Bowls and would bring a winning pedigree back to the organization.”

Van Noy was a member of the New England Patriots when the team won the Super Bowl following the 2016 and 2018 seasons. He started all 16 regular season games and the three playoff contests during 2018-19 after starting just seven contests for the Lions before the trade.

In addition to the Lions and Patriots, Van Noy has also played for the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers in his nine-year career.

How Kyle Van Noy Potentially Fits With the Lions

According to Oddsmakers, the Lions are the favorites to land Young through a trade with the Washington Commanders. If healthy, Young is the type of player some media members such as Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton have argued can make a major difference for the 2023 Lions.

Signing Van Noy isn’t nearly as sexy, but it has little risk. The Lions can easily fit the 32-year-old under the salary cap on a one-year deal and won’t need to give up anything to acquire him.

Although older, Van Noy is also a guy that can help develop Detroit’s young defenders, especially at edge rusher.

“Van Noy could also help to mentor the likes of Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston as they enter their second professional season,” Booher wrote. “He would bring a level of special teams versatility, which is always an asset.”

When he played for the Lions from 2014-16, Van Noy averaged 16.5 special teams snaps per game. Detroit could use him there again in 2023, deploy him as a regular defender or both.

Last season for the Chargers, Van Noy played 734 defensive snaps. He recorded 46 combined tackles, including 8 for loss, 9 quarterback hits, 5 sacks, 3 pass defenses and 1 forced fumble in 17 games.

The Lions are hoping Charles Harris and/or Julian Okwara return to their 2021 forms after injury-plagued 2022 campaigns. Should either accomplish that, the Lions would have a third pass rusher behind Hutchinson and Houston.

Adding Van Noy, though, gives the Lions insurance along the edge. He would also bring invaluable versatility and experience.

Other NFL Free Agent Possibilities for the Lions

In addition to Van Noy, Booher also argued the Lions could target defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis or edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue.

Just like Young, Ngakoue landing with Lions has been a popular rumor this offseason. CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan mentioned Detroit as a possible landing spot for Ngakoue. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin did the same, even pressing the Lions to sign Ngakoue.

In May, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger predicted Detroit to target Ioannidis.

Ngakoue and Ioannidis aren’t former Lions draft picks like Van Noy, but both would be a boost for the Lions pass rush. Detroit finished tied for 18th in the NFL last season with 39 sacks.

As for offense, Booher listed wide receiver N’Keal Harry, running back James Robinson and offensive linemen Chase Roullier as remaining free agents the Lions could target.

Lions’ Recent 2nd-Round Pick Could Lose Roster Spot to UDFA: Report

Nathan Dougherty — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 02:30:44 +0000

The Detroit Lions could have a roster battle brewing at defensive line, and a former second-round pick could end up being a casualty come the end of the summer.

Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire published an early production of the final 53-man roster in Detroit, predicting that Levi Onwuzurike could face a fight to keep his position — if he’s cleared to play from the back injuries that have derailed his early career. Onwuzurike missed all of last season and continues to rehab from back surgery, but Risdon noted that even if healthy he could still find himself on the outside of the roster bubble.

Detroit Lions Have Tough Decision on Former Second-Rounder

Risdon noted that the Lions are set at the top of the roster, with Alim McNeill and Christian Covington likely locked in as starters. He added that Brodric Martin and Isaiah Buggs will likely back up the pair, and the fifth and final spot is where the summer could get interesting.

“If the team opts to keep five DTs on the active roster, a battle between Benito Jones, Levi Onwuzurike (if cleared to play) and UDFA rookies Chris Smith and Cory Durden figures to be highly competitive in training camp and preseason,” Risdon wrote.

Onwuzurike has had a disappointing career, appearing in 16 games in his rookie season and making a total of 35 tackles with one sack. Though he has been working his way back from back surgery, Onwuzurike faces an uncertain future.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said he first wants to see Onwuzurike get his health back on track before worrying about what he can do on the field.

“The only thing I hope for Levi — and that’s first and foremost — looking forward to him getting a chance to come back and play,” Glenn said, via MLive.com. “But man, it’s the health of that player, cause when you’re dealing with a back, that’s just a thing you have to be sure with. … The first thing I’m thinking about, I’m not thinking about the player playing. I’m thinking about the player being healthy. And then if he plays, that’s just icing on top.”

There could be some positive signs for Onwuzurike’s recovery. Risdon shared a video on Twitter from the team’s practice on June 8, noting that the defensive lineman looks as quick as he had before his injury.

Took this video of Levi Onwuzurike at Lions practice yesterday. He's 91, goes through the drill here after Christian Covington.
We get asked about him hourly by fans. This is as good as he's moved since he got hurt on the 1st contact rep of '22 training camp. pic.twitter.com/HVGw6mVAyT

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) June 8, 2023

Big Opportunity for Detroit Lions’ Rookies

With Onwuzurike’s availability for the coming year still in question, undrafted rookies Durden and Smith could have an opportunity to make the final 53-man roster. Dane Brugler of The Athletic noted in a pre-draft report that Durden showed some strong potential during four seasons at Florida State and one at NC State, but still has some work to make it in the NFL.

“Overall, Durden flashes disruptive qualities when all cylinders are firing, but he needs to improve his overall consistency to warrant an extended look in the NFL,” Brugler wrote.

Risdon added for Lions Wire that Smith was efficient in his one season at Notre Dame after transferring from Harvard.

“His best quality is his ability to finish under control and with power,” Risdon wrote. “Notre Dame didn’t log him for a single missed tackle, and in his three seasons at Harvard the Crimson had Smith for just one missed tackle. He wraps well and uses his reach to corral ball carriers and occasionally the opposing QB (5.5 sacks in 42 career college games).”

Lions’ James Houston Gets Candid on Role: ‘They Don’t Really Know Where to Put Me’

Dave Holcomb — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:13:15 +0000

Big things are expected from Detroit Lions second-year linebacker James Houston this fall after he recorded 8 sacks in seven games to end the 2022 season.

Houston is aiming to double that sack total for the Lions this season. But he isn’t sure what role he will be playing yet.

“For me, I’ve got to get on the field. I don’t know what that looks like, but I got to figure something out,” Houston told the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. “Just like last year, it was just like they didn’t really know where to put me. I feel like it’s kind of similar, the same way.

“They don’t really know where to put me, and so I’m kind of that guy, hopefully I can be a chess piece and not too much of a liability, I guess, where I really can only play one position, where you can move me in different ways and put me on the field. So that’s really my goal, to get the team to be able to trust me enough to get to that point.”

In addition to 8 sacks, he also had 12 combined tackles, including 7 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery during 2022.

James Houston’s Desire to Be More than a Pass Rusher

Houston could very easily be a pass-rushing specialist this season. In that role, Houston could earn double-digit sacks and maybe even contend for a Pro Bowl nomination.

He has that type of talent getting after the opposing quarterback.

But Birkett wrote that Houston is done “judging his worth” based on only sacks. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn shared the sentiment.

“It’s easy to go out there and say, ‘Look, I’m just going to run around the edge and win,'” Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn told The Detroit Free Press. “He does it really well. But is that all he wants to be?

“I think he would tell you, ‘Hell no, I want to be a complete football player.'”

Houston was a complete defender in college. In three seasons at Florida, he posted just 4.5 sacks but 100 total tackles, including 10.5 for loss. He also had 3 forced fumbles for the Gators, who played him as an off-ball linebacker.

He finished his college career at Jackson State, where he became more of a pass-rushing specialist. In 2021, he recorded 70 total tackles, 7 forced fumbles, 1 pass defense and an interception to go with 16.5 sacks.

Houston Competing for Starting Role With Lions

The 24-year-old told Birkett that his goal is to become an every-down linebacker for the Lions this season. Birkett didn’t refute that goal, projecting that Houston would compete with Charles Harris and Julian Okwara for the starting strong-side linebacker role during training camp.

“Though he spent most of OTAs playing behind Harris and Okwara in the rotation, he has made headway in his quest,” wrote Birkett.

Harris and Okwara each made impactful plays for the Detroit defense during 2021. But both players weren’t the same last season and finished the campaign on injured reserve.

In part because of those injuries, NFL rumors have connected the Lions to pass rushers in free agency and even trades this offseason. Houston could silence those rumors, though, with a strong training camp.

Harris going on IR in November actually opened the door for Houston to make his NFL debut in Week 13. This summer, Houston will have the opportunity to prove he should play all the time for the Lions defense.

Lions Free Agency: Top 5 Options Still Remaining at Wide Receiver

Dave Holcomb — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:00:08 +0000

For much of the offseason, NFL analysts have asked whether the Detroit Lions have enough depth at wide receiver.

The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy still asked the same question following the team’s minicamp.

“One underlying thought after watching the Lions is that their wide receiver room is an injury away from being in trouble,” Pouncy wrote. “We already know Jameson Williams will miss the first six games of the season, leaving the team without its main vertical threat. But if Amon-Ra St. Brown goes down — especially during that six-game window — the Lions might have to get creative elsewhere.”

Pouncy again proposed the Lions pursuing recently released former All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins. But if Detroit is interested in adding a wide receiver through free agency, there are few intriguing options.

Here are five potential targets still available in free agency for the Lions at wide receiver:

DeAndre Hopkins

There’s no denying Pouncy’s proposal of the Lions possibly signing Hopkins. It’s been a very popular rumor in the media.

Fox Sports’ Shannon Sharpe labeled Detroit “the most logical spot” for Hopkins on May 29. Sports Illustrated Matt Verderame and CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin listed the Lions as one of the top potential destinations for Hopkins this offseason too.

Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown addressed the possibility while making a guest appearance on NFL Network.

“Obviously, when you talk about an All-Pro player, he’s obviously going to help any team he joins,” St. Brown told NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano and Steve Wyche. “But, the guys we have now in this room, I feel like, we all do things differently, we all do things really well.

Hopkins posted 64 receptions, 717 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022.

Julio Jones

Hopkins is, by far, the leading candidate for the Lions to sign in free agency. But there are other options.

Like Hopkins, Jones is a former five-time All-Pro. But Jones could fit more of what the Lions immediately need.

With Jameson Williams suspended the first six games, it would be best for the Detroit defense if the receiver the team potentially signs has speed to make big plays down field. In 12 NFL seasons, Jones has averaged 15.1 yards per catch, which is nearly 2 yards more than what Hopkins has averaged.

The negatives with Jones, though, is his age and health. He turned 34 in February and hasn’t played more than 10 games in a season since 2019.

Byron Pringle

There’s little chance the Lions will be able to replace Williams’ speed during the first six games. Before the 2022 NFL draft, Williams claimed that he would have broken the 40-yard dash record time at the NFL combine if not for his knee injury.

But if speed is the top factor in any potential receiver signing this summer for Detroit, they may come closest to replicating Williams with Pringle. The 29-year-old ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the 2019 combine.

That, though, hasn’t translated into huge plays on the field during his career. With the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears, Pringle has averaged 13.4 yards per reception.

His best season was in 2021 when he recorded 42 catches for 568 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Chiefs.

Sammy Watkins

Like Hopkins and Jones, Watkins was a first-round pick. He was also once one of the fastest receivers in the NFL.

In nine seasons, he’s registered 14.8 yards per catch. During 2015, Watkins reached more than 1,000 receiving yards with only 60 receptions thanks to a 17.5 yards per reception average.

He turned 30 on June 14, which is not the ideal age for free agent receivers. But he’s actually a year younger than Hopkins.

Last season, Watkins also showcased he’s still got plenty left in the tank. He averaged 20.3 yards per catch on 16 receptions with the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens.

T.Y. Hilton

At 33, Hilton is the second-oldest receiver on this list after Jones. The Indianapolis Colts didn’t bother to re-sign him last summer, and he didn’t land on a team until December.

But in three games with the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the year, Hilton made big plays. He had 121 receiving yards on just 7 receptions, averaging 17.3 yards per catch.

He’s past his prime, but if the Lions are looking for a speedy receiver who could play a significant role early in the season and then slide comfortably into a reserve role when Williams returns, Hilton is an intriguing possibility.

He should also be more of a bargain than Hopkins or Jones.

Lions Rookie WR in Hot Water With Coach After Practice Mishap

Nathan Dougherty — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 23:19:04 +0000

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Antoine Green had his “welcome to the NFL” moment at the team’s June 12 practice.

On the same day that the seventh-round pick sliced up the Lions defense for a long gain, he also got an “earful” from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson after missing his assignment on another play. Green is expected to compete for snaps in a talented wide receiver group but could have an early opportunity to make an impact this coming season.

Highs & Lows for Lions Rookie Antoine Green

During a red-zone drill, Green made a mistake that landed him some hot water with Johnson, the team’s second-year offensive coordinator.

“Green heard the ire of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who loudly expressed frustration at the rookie lining up incorrectly in the red zone,” Sports Illustrated’s John Maakaron wrote.

Earlier, though, Green turned in a memorable play, according to Maakaron, connecting with rookie quarterback Adrian Martinez during 7-on-7 drills.

“To conclude the period, wideout Antoine Green found himself wide open in the flat and completely tricked the defense, which had shifted to the left,” Maakaron wrote. “The seventh-round pick proceeded to get open.”

Closing out our 2023 #NFLDraft with Antoine Green! pic.twitter.com/00DoWuaLcw

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 29, 2023

Big Opportunity for Antoine Green

Despite the misstep in the team’s third and final OTA session, which runs through June 15, Green could have the chance to make an early impact with the Lions with fellow receiver Jameson Williams starting the season on a six-game suspension for violating the league’s rules against gambling. The team also parted ways with receivers Quintez Cephus and Stanley Berryhill as part of the same gambling probe, giving Green even more of a chance to find a spot in the rotation.

Going into the NFL draft, Green had gained some buzz for his speed and ability to stretch defenses at North Carolina. Prior to the draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com pegged Green as an “intriguing” prospect but suggested that he would not be a lock to make an NFL roster in his rookie season.

“Green’s size and deep-ball success make him a more intriguing Day 3 prospect than the overall production and skill set might suggest,” Zierlein wrote. “Like most vertical specialists, he’s not going to shake man coverage on intermediate routes, but he has decent hands and consistently finds himself overtaking deep coverage with his build-up speed. He might find himself fighting for a spot on a practice squad or the back end of a roster.”

Green said he hoped for the chance to show off his multiple talents with the Lions, expanding beyond the role he played in his last season at North Carolina as mostly a deep-ball specialist.

“I wanna be able to do it all. Our offense at UNC, I was a vertical threat for that offense, mainly,” Green told MLive.com in a May interview. “I just wanna show that I can do everything else outside of running that deep ball.

“Compared to the offense that I was in, it’s a lot of diversity in this offense. I’m real excited just to be a part of the offense and learn more about the game and just the people that’s here.”

Lions Predicted to ‘Buy Low’ on Generational Talent

Dave Holcomb — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 20:23:03 +0000

The Detroit Lions will face the Kansas City Chiefs in about 12 weeks. But until then, it doesn’t look like rumors that Detroit could trade for defensive end Chase Young will be going away.

CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan was the latest to connect Young to the Lions. Sullivan projected the Lions to deal for Young in one of his five bold predictions for the rest of the offseason.

“To most observers, the Lions are the leaders in the clubhouse to become the next dominant team in the division and they seize the opportunity by continuing to load up on defense and dealing for Commanders pass rusher Chase Young,” Sullivan wrote. “Washington declined to pick up Young’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, possibly spelling the end of his tenure with the franchise.

“When healthy, Young is arguably a generational talent and showed during his rookie season that he can be a game-wrecker.

“That said, injuries have proven to be a major speed bump in his career to this point, which allows the Lions to swoop in and buy low on someone who could help catapult the defense to another level if everything works out.”

Young earned a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster during his rookie season for the Washington Commanders in 2020. But since then, he’s played only 12 games because of a serious knee injury.

Lions Potentially ‘Buying Low’ on Chase Young

Trading for Young this offseason is a bit complicated.

As Sullivan noted, the Commanders declined to extend the fifth-year option to the 24-year-old. That means he will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Therefore, teams interested in trading for Young will not only have to ensure that he’s healthy again, but must also be planning to commit to the defensive end on another contract. Otherwise, Young is a rental player.

The former No. 2 overall pick has missed 22 games over the past two seasons because he torn his right ACL and patellar tendon in 2021. Patellar tendon tears are often regarded as the most difficult injury to recover from for football players.

In 2020, Young appeared to be every bit the generational player draft experts hyped him to be out of college. He posted 7.5 sacks with 10 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, 4 forced fumbles and 4 pass defenses as he won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

But he only has 1.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles and 2 pass defenses in his last 12 games.

That makes acquiring Young risky. But because of the risk, the Lions could “buy low” on the young pass rusher in the hopes that he makes a full recovery in his knee.

Sullivan did not project what type of compensation would be needed for the Lions to acquire Young. Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton proposed the Lions send a 2024 third-round pick and edge rusher Julian Okwara to the Commanders for Young.

Lions Favorite to Land Young in NFL Trade

Sullivan can place his name in a line of experts who have linked the Lions to Young.

Moton proposed his trade idea for the Lions to land Young on June 8. Sullivan’s co-worker at CBS Sports, Cody Benjamin named Detroit one of five possible landing spots for Young in May.

On June 9, oddsmakers labeled the Lions the organization with the best odds of being Young’s next team if he were to move on from Washington this offseason.

The Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints were the other top five possible destinations for Young according to oddsmakers.

Young trade rumors began in earnest when Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported on June 6 that he was aware the Commanders would “be open to listening” to trade offers for Young this summer.

Lions Coach Issues Warning to Rookie LB Jack Campbell

Dave Holcomb — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:29:42 +0000

The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy wrote on May 14 that Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell implied while making an appearance on NFL Network that the team drafted rookie linebacker Jack Campbell at No. 18 overall to make an immediate impact on Detroit’s bottom-ranked defense.

But Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard pushed back on that idea at Detroit’s minicamp on June 12.

“We are going to play the best players,” Sheppard told the media. “We do not care what that looks like, and when that starts top down, it’s easy for me to walk into my linebacker room after we take a guy Pick 18, because in probably 20 other rooms, that player’s starting and there’s nothing you can do about it as a position coach.

“Well, that’s not the case here. If Jack isn’t the top two or three, Jack will continue to go through the process of rookie development until he’s hit that mark.”

The Lions are returning their top three linebackers from last season — Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes.

Lions LB Coach Kelvin Sheppard Praises Derrick Barnes

It’s important to note that Sheppard did not say that Campbell will not start. If anything, it just sounds like he’s trying to keep the rookie motivated to continue earning a starting job this fall.

But Sheppard didn’t use that strategy with everyone. He offered a lot of praise for Barnes, who started four games for the Lions last season.

“That is a player that I’ve seen walk in this building since we started up Phase 2 (of the organized offseason program) and look like a completely different player. I mean, a kid growing into a man,” Sheppard said. “Taking charge, holding people accountable, running the huddle, letting everybody know, ‘I know what I’m doing, now let me help you out.’ That’s that next step right there to me.

“Derrick knew what to do last year, it’s just when things were moving (that was) slowing him down. Now it’s, he has all that. Now it’s, ‘Hey, come here, you should be in a nine technique.’”

The Lions drafted Barnes in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft. In 15 games last season, he posted 47 combined tackles, including 3 for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 pass defense and 1 sack.

If Campbell earns a starting job, more than likely, Barnes will be the linebacker who loses playing time. Both are at middle linebacker on Detroit’s unofficial depth chart.

Meanwhile, Anzalone and Rodriguez each started at least 15 games last season. Anzalone also led the Lions defense with 1,080 snaps (95.07% of the team’s snaps on defense).

Lions’ Rookie Jack Campbell Impressing at Offseason Workouts

Barnes isn’t making it easy for Campbell to earn a starting job. But Campbell is performing well this offseason.

John Maakaron of SI.com’s All Lions named Campbell one of three Lions players who “impressed” at rookie minicamp in May. In particular, Maakaron praised the rookie for his leadership on the field.

Campbell has continued to receive acclaim from his head coach over the past few weeks. The rookie just isn’t receiving many compliments from his position coach.

“He’s good, he’s what you’d expect,” Campbell said about the rookie linebacker on June 8. “He’s gonna grind through it, he’s gonna work at it.

“He’s pretty hard on himself. That’s something he’s gonna need to work on. It’s a blessing and a curse when you’re hard on yourself. He’s doing a good job, and (Kelvin Sheppard) is letting him have it. He’s not gonna let him off the hook. But, he’s doing good, and look, we throw a lot at those guys.

“Our inside linebackers are asked to do a lot mentally and physically in this defense, playing with vision a lot of the times now. … He’s got a lot on his plate, but he’s growing.”

Lions’ UDFA Quarterback Earns Unexpected Chance to Shine at OTAs

Nathan Dougherty — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:28:15 +0000

Adrian Martinez may face long odds in his bid to make the final 53-man roster of the Detroit Lions, but the undrafted free-agent quarterback got a little extra time to make an impression this week at OTAs.

The team met on June 12 for optional practices, which came a few days after the conclusion of last week’s mandatory minicamp. Though Martinez likely has a lot of work to do to climb the depth chart, he got the chance for extra reps as the only quarterback on the field for practice to start the week.

Rookie’s Opportunity

As Tim Twentyman and Mike O’Hara noted for the team’s official website, Martinez had the chance to show off as the only quarterback on the field for Monday’s practice as his competitors were either away or injured.

“Rookie quarterback Adrian Martinez got more practice time to show his skills,” the report noted. “He was the only healthy quarterback available. Veterans Jared Goff and Nate Sudfeld had departed with the other veterans, and rookie third-round draft pick Hendon Hooker is still recovering from a knee injury.”

Congratulations Adrian Martinez on signing with the Lions! pic.twitter.com/DmlTIhOTb4

— One West Sports Group (@OneWestSports) April 29, 2023

The Lions signed Martinez in May after taking quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round of the NFL Draft. As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted, Martinez had a middling tenure as Nebraska’s quarterback but turned heads in his final college season at Kansas State.

“His one year with the Wildcats opened up both his game and the NFL’s eyes,” Risdon wrote. “In K-State’s overhauled offense, Martinez found a better balance between his aggressive tendencies and making better decisions with the ball. He improved his pocket presence and patience, putting more trust in his line and his receivers than he ever demonstrated at Nebraska.”

The improvement was enough to earn Martinez some draft buzz, and ultimately a contract with the Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Fight to Make Lions Roster

Martinez comes into OTAs as the No. 4 quarterback on the depth chart, behind starter Goff and backup Sudfeld. The rookie Hooker is entering what head coach Dan Campbell called a “redshirt” season as he continues to rehab an ACL tear, but NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal believes the former Tennessee quarterback can challenge for the starting job as early as next season.

Martinez will likely be competing for a spot on the practice squad as he continues to learn and adjust to the NFL. But as Risdon noted, Martinez could eventually give the Lions a dual-threat quarterback if he’s able to sort out his accuracy issues.

“Martinez offers a lot of running ability,” Risdon wrote. “He accelerates quickly and has natural wiggle, power, and vision as a runner. He isn’t a threat to throw once he starts running, however. The 4.55 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine is legit and translates to the field. The 23-year-old rushed for over 500 yards in all five of his college seasons.”

Rookie Lions RB Says He’s Ready to Play ‘Versatile’ Role This Season

Nathan Dougherty — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 22:02:35 +0000

Jahmyr Gibbs feels more than ready for the versatile role he expects to play in the Detroit Lions‘ offense this season.

The No. 12 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft saw plenty of usage through the team’s three-day minicamp, with some of his biggest plays coming in the passing game. Gibbs said he expects to make an impact in the rushing game and running routes, which has been a staple of his game dating back to high school.

“I love how they use me,” Gibbs said at the conclusion of Detroit’s minicamp.

“It’s something I’m used to – through high school, at Tech and at Bama. I’m pretty used to being used all around – learning all the routes and concepts.

“It’s cool.”

The Lions have hinted that Gibbs could also see a role in the third phase of the game, special teams.

Lions Rookie Earns Good Marks for Minicamp Performance

Gibbs turned heads with his performance at minicamp. Though the team was playing in a setting that favors the offense — players in shorts rather than full pads — Gibbs was still seen as a standout.

SI.com’s John Maakaron noted one play in particular where the rookie caught a pass and raced through the defense.

“After securing a reception from Jared Goff, Gibbs turned on the jets, scampering toward the end zone at full speed, providing a glimpse of the challenges he will cause opposing defensive coordinators,” Maakaron wrote.

Jahmyr Gibbs showing OFF his skills in the receiving game 😳

Gibbs has reportedly “impressed many” with his receiving ability early into OTA’s.

Gibbs said in a recent interview that he expects to be utilized in the “same way” he was at Alabama.

The Lions rookie RB is the… pic.twitter.com/rkKJhZlGIu

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 8, 2023

The Lions have hinted that Gibbs could be used in a number of ways, including special teams. Despite new rules that discourage kickoff returns, Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said he would like to see Gibbs lining up deep on kicks to test opposing teams.

“In terms of Gibbs, I think again, it’s going to come down to kind of his role on offense and how we’re using him and all that,” Fipp said. “Obviously, he’s a weapon back there. He was a great college returner at Georgia Tech and Alabama, so I think that’s definitely a possibility that he does help us to some degree. To what level that is, whether that’s like part-time situationally or full-time, so there’s a lot of different options there with him.”

Jahmyr Gibbs Getting Used to NFL

Gibbs admitted that practices with the Lions are very different than what he experienced last season at Alabama, when players were wearing full pads and hitting every day.

“In the heat,” Gibbs recalled, via SI.com. “For two hours.”

But the rookie said he enjoys the pace of the professional game, which is a bit easier on the players.

“We get good work in,” Gibbs said. “They don’t try to kill us.”

Gibbs added that he’s had some help in adjusting to the NFL, with veteran running back David Montgomery working with him on routes. Though the two may be competing for touches this season, Gibbs said he’s glad to have the chance to work with his fellow back and develop some chemistry.

“I can see he’s a great person,” Gibbs said. “He comes to me to talk routes and plays – how he wants me to run them.

“It helps our chemistry, and it helps me get better.”