SLR Hot Routes: Detroit Lions Roster Edition

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1. PFF recently ranked the Detroit Lions roster as seventh in the NFL. Where do you rank the 2015 squad as it stands now?

Darin Ackerman, Staff Writer – Seven is a little rich for me. I would say somewhere around 12. I weigh quarterback play heavy in my analysis and that drops them down a few spots.

Kent Platte, Staff Writer – 7th is about right. The defense was obviously the best unit last season and while I expect a small step back on that front in 2015 I also expect the offense to take a few steps forward.

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Max DeMara, Staff Writer – Closer to 12th. There’s no question the Lions added some major talent with Haloti Ngata and already have plenty, but beyond that, they will be depending on a rookie running back and a remade offensive line. They lost their best defensive player in the middle of the line and will need a host of others to step up. There’s no reason the Lions can’t still be talented and evolve into a top ten squad, but rating them that high is a bit of a stretch at this point in time.

Mark DeGain, Staff Writer – I would rank the roster as a whole in the 5th position. The team has strength and depth where they need it now, the offensive line and in the defensive secondary. Caldwell’s “next man up” mentality should prove to show results again this year. With Stafford entering his 2nd year with this scheme, look for some great improvements on the offensive side of the ball.

Mike Payton, Editor – I think PFF got it right. Despite the loss of Suh, this is a very talented group. I would place them in the top 10.

Nate Williams, Editor – For myself, I would rank this unit somewhere between 7-10. PFF wasn’t too far off, but there are some positions that remain iffy until proven otherwise.

Next: Who steps up on Defense?