Mike Clay's Offseason Roster Rankings: Lions #2

[Bols]

[TouchdownMyPants]

@detroit1811

While we do have one of the best tackle duos in the NFL and a top 3 center, we have significant concerns at guard. Sure most of us believe in Mahogeny but the facts are he was a 6th round pick who played well in very limited opportunities. Sure, we expect Glasgow to rebound at his more natural RG position, with that said he was a below average starter last year. The rest of the group is relatively unproven.

I think we will be a consensus top 3 OL by week 8.

I believe the Lions have 4 guards that would start for over half the teams in the league

[Jah26]

I wonder if we are reflexively thinking that our OL is going to remain top shelf indefinitely and maybe we are overlooking some real concerns for 2025. Decker, Ragnow and Glasgow are over 30 and each have a had injury issues. Zeitler left.

Depth at OT is Skipper and Manu. I think we expect Ratledge to step and grab one of the starting guard spots.

I do think that, healthy, our OL is still as good as CHI and Minny, or better. Depends on if the old vets put together a strong showing or there are struggles.

[TouchdownMyPants]

@Jah26

Decker, Ragnow and Glasgow are over 30 and each have a had injury issues. Zeitler left.

Frank just turned 29… You mention age and that Zietler left being a negative, yet he was by far the oldest OL last season and had his best year as a pro… Age isn’t a concern for most offensive lineman, they routinely play at a high level into their mid-late 30s

[Jah26]

That’s all well and good. But we can’t just assume everything will be rosy. Decker missed three games last year. Frank is a warrior, but foot injuries are a bitch for a lineman. Glasgow is who he is.

Just saying let’s not overlook the above plus counting on rookies to step right in and play at a high level. Depth at OT is a real concern to boot.

I’m fine with the ranking as a sort of a worst case scenario. Hopefully they all have up years and they continue to roll as a top unit.

[Jah26]

I do think it’s worth talking about the fact that Clay ranks the Lions talent on defense is #1 in the league, when we’re used to having to boatrace teams and have our offense carry the day. Sure, it was absolutely due mostly to injury last season. But #1 in the NFL? That’s interesting. Hope he’s right.

[Wolfhound32]

I’m not a fan of Philly one bit…but how does Clay justify the DL and Ed grades for the Eagles. It’s almost like he transposed them with ours.

BTW…The Lions tied for first on his rankings. Both Baltimore and our Lions got a grade of 7.7…it’s just an alphabetical thing.

[SoCal_LionFan]

Also interesting, Goff, Stafford, Purdy, Mayfield and Herbert all rated the same (7).

[Zeeze]

@Woot

Two things stood out for me - Jared’s 7 grade is just disrespectful

I mean, on his chart that’s still good for something like 7th best overall which feels about right.

[detroit1811]

As much as I love Goff, I do think that’s the QB tier he should be in. I’d put him 2nd, behind Stafford, but ahead of Herbert.

Not so sure about putting daniels and Hurts above them all though. Daniels is getting a little too much hype and Hurts is just not better than Goff/Stafford/Herbert.

[Luke]

@Jah26

Surprised nobody is talking about the Lions defensive ranking. A bit overrated here? Or about right?

Reasonable. I mean the talent on D is impressive. Two all pro caliber safeties, Arnold on one corner, newly paid and respected starter on the other, Amik in the slot, Anzalone is a well respected beast, Campbell is a highly drafted ascending LBer, and he’ll you got newly paid Barnes as your darn 3rd LB… then you got guys like potential defensive player of the year Hutch on the DL with huge reputation Reader, Alim one of the highest paid DTs, and seemingly the one question mark on the entire D left. Shep better have this unit humming man. What situation to step into.

[detroit1811]

I know it’s a big IF, but Davenport is a high level starter if he stays healthy as well. We are truly stacked on defense. Depth is my biggest concern right now, especially at edge and safety. Still holding out hope that Smith comes back.

[Luke]

@detroit1811

Still holding out hope that Smith comes back

Same. It feels crazy that he wouldn’t.

[Richard_Parker]

@Jah26

Bears OL ranked better than the Lions.

[MittenSportsFan]

@Wolfhound32

I’m not a fan of Philly one bit

Philly was the dominant defense last year but lost 4 starters from that unit.

@Wolfhound32

but how does Clay justify the DL and Ed grades for the Eagles. It’s almost like he transposed them with ours.

Other than Carter (and Alim isn’t that far behind) the Lion D-Line is better with Reader being better than Davis.
Philly runs a 3-4 so it is not apples to apples but I like Levi over Ojomo.
As for Edge, they lost their best pass rusher in Sweat.
So Hutch and a corpse is better than what they have.
Nolan Smith and Ojulari is good and if Bryce Huff can rerurn to his 2023 form they could be very good.
Hutch and a healthy Davenport is better for what the Lions do.
Then throw in Barnes All Around play and there is a reason the Lions never tried to get Ojulari last year when they needed an Edge and this Spring in free agency.
The Lions bring back the entire starting unit except for CD3 (and Reed is at least as good).
They have much more quality depth in the secondary and on the interior D-Line.
If this unit stays healthy they can be a top 5 defense.

[TouchdownMyPants]

Here’s a question… What if it was reversed? Say the Lions had 14 starters on offense hit IR, was/is the defense good enough to get them to 15 wins? I don’t think so. The offense is the engine of this team, in the end, 4 turnovers is really what cost the Lions the game against Washington… Limit the mistakes on offense, that’s how we win games

[stephenboyd57]

I think it was 5 turnovers… But you are spot on @TouchdownMyPants

[wolfcub36]

media bullshizzle when they claim that the Bears O-line is “better” than ours-right now I don’t think they have anything better than ours…not yet anyway, but they’ll get there with maybe 3 solid off-season’s.