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To get ready for the 2013 season, Pride Of Detroit's writers weighed in with predictions on a variety of topics. You can make your own predictions by voting in the poll at the end of this post, and you can see what our writers had to say below.
Next up: Who will the Detroit Lions' breakout offensive player be in 2013?
Nick Catoni: Riley Reiff
Whether you loved him or hated him, Jeff Backus deserves respect for what he accomplished in Detroit. Reiff steps in to fill the huge role left by Backus, and I think he’ll give Lions fans nothing to complain about. This should be the first year of (hopefully) an entire career for Reiff on the Lions offensive line.
Sean Yuille: Ryan Broyles
Ryan Broyles had a pretty quiet preseason because he is still working his way back from another torn ACL. It remains to be seen when exactly he will be 100 percent healthy, but I expect him to become the Lions' second-best wide receiver once he is back up to full speed.
Jeremy Reisman: Joique Bell
The easy answer here is Ryan Broyles. Broyles should see his production from last year at least double this season. Of course, that isn't saying much, as Broyles only had 22 catches for 310 yards. But I'm very intrigued by the year Joique Bell may have. At this point, he has to be the favorite to take over the change-of-pace back role behind Reggie Bush. Bell has the best vision of any back on the roster, and he has proven to be much more elusive than Mikel Leshoure at this point. Bell should be getting around 10 touches per game this season. If he does, I don't think gaining 1,000 all-purpose yards is out of the question.
Brian Packey: Ryan Broyles
Fresh off tearing another ACL, it's imperative for Ryan Broyles to break out as an offensive player, not break.
Christopher Tomke: Ryan Broyles
He’s the NCAA’s all-time receptions leader for a reason. We saw flashes of his ability in 2012. Obviously his knees are a source of concern, and he’s admitted as much, but I fully expect a healthy Ryan Broyles to emerge as the No. 2 WR sooner rather than later.
Eric Shinabarger: Joique Bell
Both last year and during the 2013 preseason, Joique Bell was the Lions’ most effective running back by a wide margin. While Mikel Leshoure retained the starting job last season based mainly on his pedigree, Bell quietly accumulated a 5.0 yards per carry average on his 83 carries. Bell’s status as the Lions’ most effective rusher has continued this preseason, as his 6.8 yards per carry average stands in stark contrast to Reggie Bush’s 1.2. Bell is not a threat to Bush’s job by any means, but Bell has proven that he is capable of exploiting a defense when given the chance. This year, he should have chances more often as the Lions move the ultra-versatile Bush around formations to create mismatches.