I am bullish on a lot of the talent on this roster. I am incredibly frustrated this didn’t turn into wins as the Lions were not losing games because this roster is a disaster.
There are some BIG questions lurking for the Lions. Stafford, a new GM, coaches and so on. But there is a lot to like here as well. Here are some of the reasons I am bullish on this roster:
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This offensive line. Taylor Decker in 28 in August. Frank Ragnow is 25 in May. One of the top centers in the game right now. Jonah Jackson has a bright future and he is 24 in February. From there I like Joe Dahl (28 in April), Tyrell Crosby (who seems like a viable starting ROT…and is just 26 in September) and we have Logan Sternberg (24 in March) and Matt Nelson (just turned 25). That is a LOT to like even if we cut Vaitai loose $ to use elsewhere if necessary. That is very, very nice.
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D’Andre Swift looks great to me. I also like Kerryon Johnson a lot and I wish Johnson got more work later in the season. KJ is a very good blocker and he ca catch. Swift looks like the real deal to me.
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I like WR Quintez Cephus a lot. Looks like he has real NFL game. 23 years old in April. Yep, we need help at WR but we have Marvin Jones and Golladay back if we want them back.
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Hockenson looked good in year two and should be great in year three. There is a lot to like there. I assume Jesse James is gone but I liked Hunter Bryant a whole lot in his limited time here. This kid could be a real player for us in 2021. 23 in August.
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I like Tracy Walker (26 in February) and I like the potential of Will Harris a lot too (25 in December). I also like CB Amani Oruwariye a lot too. 25 in February. And we have Okudah too. That has potential.
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I am a BIG fan of Romeo Okwara. Just 26 in June. This kid has untapped potential still to me. He just keeps getting better. We need him back. I also love the potential of John Penisini (24 in May).
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I like three other young guys on defense even though they haven’t shown us enough yet: Julian Okwara will get a shot in 2021. I like Austin Bryant (25 in November) and Da’Shawn Hand (26 in November) regressed but like Will Harris I think he is worth investing in still.
All those guys are under contract in 2021 except Okwara. From there we have Trey Flowers who even if overpaid is a really good football player. Jamie Collins is our best LBer and he is back in 2021 too. I like Danny Shelton in a scaled back role as a run stuffer who can push a pocket.
Yes we have holes and yes a new staff if going to need some of these guys who underperformed with Patricia to step and play big roles if this team has any shot at a fast turnaround. But there is young talent here.
Folks are talking about blowing this up and I am just not feeling that. I want Stafford back and Golladay as these are real NFL players. I want Marvin Jones Jr. back as he is a viable NFL talent.
If the Lions can add a coach who inspires these guys and who runs a scheme the players understand I can see the Lions being a very, very tough out in 2021 even with no big name high priced outside free agents. Build the core of this team with what we have.
I am still bothered Bob Quinn let Graham Glasgow walk and replaced him with a ROT in Vaitai. I like keeping guys we know when possible. I like the core of this roster. I hate what Patricia did to this team. But I see a lot of good here. Despite 2008 like outcomes on defense I think a new coach will be very happy to take over this roster at this point.