Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Billy Riccette

Lions rank high in ESPN’s future power rankings

The Detroit Lions are in a championship window following their run to the NFC Championship Game in 2023. Their 2024 prospects are high among those in the media. But what about after 2024? Are the Lions set to keep their championship aspirations?

ESPN seems to think so based on their recent future power rankings based on rosters, coaching staff and front office.

The Lions checked in at No. 4 on the list.

An offer for Lions fans

For the best local Detroit news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.

Reason for hope: The Lions may eventually lose offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to a head coaching job, but it hasn’t happened yet — which is selfishly good for Dan Campbell and Detroit’s offense. The team spent a lot this offseason, but it now has key players (including receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell) secured for the long term. And the culture that Campbell has built here has already resulted in an NFC Championship Game appearance and has the arrow pointing up. — Dan Graziano

There were some concerns brought up, too,

Reason for concern: General manager Brad Holmes did everything he could to fix a secondary that gave up way too many explosive plays last season, and Terrion Arnold and Carlton Davis III will make an impact there. But I still have many doubts about which pass rusher will support third-year defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Hutch has 21 sacks over his first two seasons combined but has had little help. Detroit was 27th in PRWR in 2023, and Marcus Davenport (signed this offseason) has never played a full season in his six-year career, so I’m not counting on the production to come from him. — Louis Riddick

Nugget to know: Last season, the Lions were the fourth-youngest defense in the NFL based on snap-weighted age (25.5). This year, they project to be the youngest defense based on the average age of the 12 starters (including both base and nickel defenses) at 25.3. Linebacker Alex Anzalone is the only projected starter over 28, and four projected starters are still under 24. — Aaron Schatz

Not only are the Lions very high on this list and already in the Super Bowl mix, they are the highest ranked NFC team. The Philadelphia Eagles came in right behind the Lions at No. 5 with the San Francisco 49ers at No. 7.

The Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills were the only teams ranked above the Lions.

Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell were signed to extensions this offseason as the Lions kept some of the core of their roster locked up for the next few years during their Super Bowl window.

The window is open and the future is bright in Detroit.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.