The flurry of post-draft NFL power rankings are flowing out, and ESPN’s offering doesn’t think too highly of the Detroit Lions. The Lions check in at No. 24 of the 32 teams, with a projected win total of 7 and a playoff likelihood of just 17.4 percent.
Much like GM Bob Quinn and the Lions themselves, the analysis here spends tremendous focus on the tight end position. It was listed as “where the team improved the most” from 2018:
By adding T.J. Hockenson (first round) and Isaac Nauta (seventh round) along with signing Jesse James and Logan Thomas in free agency, the Lions might have an entirely new position group in 2019. The combination of Hockenson and James, who are expected to make the team, gives Matthew Stafford two big, reliable options in the short-to-medium passing game he didn’t have last season.
Detroit finished with the 8th-worst record in 2018, so placing them at No. 24 maintains the status quo.
