FanPost

Turning Point Grades and Prognosis


Part of me is fixated by the possibility of the Lions making the playoffs, while the other part of me is hoping for continued improvement through the draft into 2023 and beyond. I suppose I just want to examine how we got here and what we might need to keep going further. Review my thoughts and please leave some of your own.

QB - Jared Goff seems to draw attention from those that love him and hate him. I think the tide is starting to shift more and more toward being favorable about what he brings to the team, but there are those that want a duel threat QB, or to find the next super star. Personally, I like Goff as a steady, reliable, albeit cautious QB. I think he's got a strong arm but is waiting to have the receivers he can trust to fully display it. I do wonder if we have the next man ready to step in, if Goff goes down. I really would like to have a potential star in the wings that is developing for the future, or that could prove to be outstanding trade bait. I don't want to use a first-round draft pick on getting a QB, but also hope we could look for someone that other teams would immediately fear if he was needed to step in. There is also simply the need to protect the franchise from paying too much for just one position. As the season has progressed I would grade Goff and the QB position as an B+. There have been some inconsistencies, but he seems to be getting better and better as the weapons around him do too.

RB - D'Andre Swift has so much potential. Jamaal Williams has been inspiring. Yet, do we have a threat that is really a top tier guy? Swift might always be a pick your spots kind of player that can shine, but shouldn't be trusted to survive the rigors of a 17 game schedule. Williams undoubtedly deserves to be resigned, but he is also approaching what is a likely expiration date on just how much he can endure long term. Ideally, the Lions obtain a new weapon that perhaps surpasses both players in ability and has several years of future excellence to look to. As of right now with Swift healing and Williams continuing to produce I'd give our current tandem a B+. With the offensive line I think this gives them an edge to perform on, while their explosiveness and consistency could still be a bit better.

TE - Brock Wright brings outstanding blocking. Shane Zylstra is a solid receiving threat. James Mitchell may have skills in both areas but he has yet to really demonstrate them to be considered a solid or complete player. It may be necessary to always carry three TEs or when Jason Cabinda is also considered, four may be a lot of personnel. I suppose this is up to the coaches to decide how they want to operate and design their game plans. So far no one can really complain about how effective the offense has proven to be. Losing TJ Hockenson might seem like a big loss, but I wasn't confident that either he would could through or we could fully utilize him, so I think dropping him from the salary cap made sense. Do we need more in the future, or do we have a nice blend already? I wouldn't put this position high on our draft priority list, but talent ultimately determines just what player should be picked at what point in the draft. Maybe a late round pick is desirable to add to have competition and to have a back-up in as an injury occurs. Currently, I think the state of our TEs warrants a C+ for being able to contribute in more than just one way.

WR - There is excitement now that the Lions have several star level players. DJ Chark showed his potential last week to make a statement as to how valuable he could prove to be to the Lions. Jameson Williams hasn't emerged yet, but the hope is there, as well as the potential. Amon-Ra St.Brown is definitely the biggest contributor to the group and you have to admire and respect how he has emerged from being a 4th round draft pick. Josh Reynolds flashes so much, yet I can't help but to believe he could be better. Quintez Cephus is an intriguing talent too, but just hasn't put it all together, or perhaps held it all together yet. Kalil Raymond does quite a bit in several roles so you have to appreciate and value him despite not seeming to be the top of mind receiver. Tom Kennedy is an interesting depth player too, and might even have more to show in the future. There are several other players that have appeared (Stanley Berryhill, Brandon Zylstra, Trinity Benson) but they haven't distinguished themselves as of yet. From a position that just two or so years ago seemed so poorly stocked it has emerged to be a very, very good group. Would added talent be warranted to be added in this year's draft - probably. It seems like it is a position always vulnerable to injury and perhaps you just can never have enough to assure an effective offense. Still, I would give the group a solid B for their contributions and play to date. It isn't hard to imagine the group earning an A by the end of the season though.

OL - Injuries have been a huge part of the Lions story at this position. Fortunately the best of their players have played most of the time, but the unit has had to plug in a lot of substitutions throughout the season. It's really important to the team in so many ways to have a great OL. I can't help but hope that the draft brings another high quality player, even perhaps a second-round talent. Despite the injuries, or perhaps because of how well the unit has held up I would give the group a B+ for their work this season. In many ways their work probably merits an even better grade, yet a lot is expected from the past investment the team has made in the draft.

DL - At the end of last year Brad Holmes made a comment that lingered with me. He said he thought the DL had been a team strength and had gained several notable players since their regime change. I had to wonder if he also implied that the changes made in personnel were part of the real gain. Trey Flowers was a pro, but frustrated me to no end as to exactly what he contributed on the field. Other former Patriots also were frustrating pieces of this team that I think confounded its character and culture. With those pieces gone I think a Lions' team has emerged to be stronger and more talented. Levi Onwuzurike is a piece of the puzzle that I'm hoping can return after back surgery, but all we can do is wait and see. Isaiah Buggs has stepped in and become a great contributor. John Cominsky is another real find. Obviously several of our draft picks over the past two years look like they have outstanding potential. There is some question about inherited pieces - Romeo Okwara, Austin Bryant, and Julian Okwara, haven't fully accounted for themselves. Michael Brockers is a bit of a question mark to most fans - is he going to contribute much? This group could still use attention in my opinion to keep it strong and becoming feared. One of our top draft choices should likely be given to this position group. Currently, I'd give this group a solid B for making so much progress from the beginning of the season. I am worried about the depth that they have - Buggs injury is a concern, although Benito Jones seems to have stepped in well over the second half of the last game.

LB - Alex Anzalone is frustrating. He plays so hard. He makes a lot of plays. He also misses on some big ones. He is our top LB and I do really like and respect how good he is. Malcom Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, and the other linebackers seem to be stronger than what most believed was possible. It is probably an area that warrants draft attention, but currently I'd give it a C+, and hope to see it continue to improve over the remainder of the season.

DB - It's almost like we gained a solid CB and lost one in the same season. What happened to Amani Oruwariye? Jeff Okudah has emerged as a very good CB, and several others seem to be developing into better and better players. I'm hoping that Oruwariye of old reappears over the rest of the year. Obviously Kerby Joseph and D'Shon Elliott have been big and great surprise performers at safety. I hope that Tracy Walker can return strong and make this an exceptional group next year. Do we need another top corner? Do we need more help at safety? Will Harris has proven to be a regular and valuable contributor - will he, can he be resigned? It seems like you can never have enough talent in this position group, so I suppose I'd rank it as a priority draft position group but I don't think it's as urgent as some believe. Again, best talent on the board probably dictates what to do. As far as my grade for the group, considering what they are doing now over the past two games, I would give them a B. They are taking the ball away, keeping big plays to a minimum, and contributing to the run defense. I hope that this grade can be maintained. The first few games I would have to say it was nearly failing.

ST - Fox is great. Badgely seems good. Daly seems to be faltering. Coverage on kicks seems solid. Attention to this unit is very important and I'd continue to do what the coaching staff is doing in terms of considering how players contribute to it as an important part of how valuable each player on their roster is. As a grade based on just the last game I'd give it a B+, but hope that Daly's performance becomes sharper, and definitely doesn't worsen.

Coaching - The changes in the defense almost overshadow just how strong the offense is. Inspiring and exciting play is balanced by excellent discipline and focus. I think the coaches are nailing it. I'd give them a current grade of A. Any objections?

GM - Brad Holmes and his staff seem to be doing a good job, if not outstanding one. Just how well the high draft choices that were known to be injured ultimately perform will determine if he deserves an A, or perhaps at least should get a B+ for effort and taking good calculated risks.

What do you think? Did I miss a draft priority? Did I give a unit too good or not good enough grade? Is everyone happy? I guess the big thing is, I'm hopeful. Rather than feeling discouraged and frustrated week after week after week after month after month after year after year after decade, I feel that real progress in how the team is designed and coached is really changing. Perhaps that means ownership deserves an A? Any thoughts about that?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Of Detroit or its writers.