The Detroit Lions have forced their franchise to make several changes in the past few months. From new front office brass to a new coaching staff and even a new starting quarterback under center.
With the rebuild in the Motor City having just begun, the expectations for the upcoming season in Detroit are very low. Still, there’s hope that all of the team’s offseason changes will at least give fans some glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
If the Lions are going to surprise anyone this season, some of the newer faces will have to standout this summer. Here are three new veterans fans have to hope have an outstanding training camp …
Jared Goff, QB
A near afterthought in the trade that sent longtime franchise passer Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams earlier this year , Jared Goff is now the quarterback in Detroit. And the two-time Pro Bowler has a chip on his shoulder the size of Michigan to prove he’s more than just a system quarterback that benefited from great coaching in L.A.
A strong training camp performance from Goff could quickly generate excitement among the Lions’ loyal fanbase desperate for even a glimmer of hope the team can be competitive this season.
Tyrell Williams, WR
There’s been a lot of bad press about the current state of the receiving corps in Detroit. And that’s to be expected after the massive turnover at the position this offseason.
But a strong performance by free agent signee Tyrell Williams could usher in a new number one receiver for fans to gush over. The veteran has certainly displayed the tools to be an effective target under new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn’s scheme before.
If Williams is able to stay healthy and develops a strong connection to Goff during training camp, perhaps there’s some hope after all for a receiver corps that’s entering the season severely underrated.
Michael Brockers, DT
One of the biggest issues for the Lions last season was a lack of quality play along the interior of the defensive line. That’s one of the main reasons the new regime in Detroit focused so heavily on upgrading the talent level in the trenches this offseason.
Making the trade for Brockers could be the single best move the Lions made this offseason to improve their defense. The 30-year old defensive tackle is an interior disruptor who possesses the veteran savvy to aid the team in improving one of its biggest weaknesses, run defense.
While there are some exciting rookies like Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill also now occupying the defensive tackle position in Motown, Brockers should have the biggest impact this upcoming season and could lead a defensive resurgence in Detroit just like Damon “Snacks” Harrison did a few seasons ago.