7 Reasons the Lions Will Make the Playoffs in 2016

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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Taylor Decker (Ohio State) is selected by the Detroit Lions as the number sixteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

6. New Offensive Line Help

It’s not often that rookies can step in and improve an offensive line unit. Don’t expect any miracles here. However, the Lions addressed key positions through the draft and all signs indicate first round pick OT Taylor Decker should start on Stafford’s blindside. If he can perform at least as well as Reiff has, the Lions will be significantly better up front.

In 2015, the offensive line was pitiful due in some part to the underwhelming performances of center Travis Swanson and LG Laken Tomlinson, but the lions’ share of the damage was done at RT. The right tackle was a revolving door last year, and I mean that both in terms of injury/personnel and in terms of performance. Putting Reiff into the starting lineup on the right side drastically improves the unit.

Add in that Tomlinson has a year under his belt along with an off-season of conditioning and that he and Swanson each have legitimate competition for their starting spots, and the Lions’ OL should perform better than last year. At the very least, the unit will be much deeper than in years past.

Next: Stable of Studs

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