Detroit Lions: Who is Motown’s next legendary sports star?
Is the next great superstar of the Motor City currently on the Detroit Lions roster? I believe he’s a veteran who just needs to cement his legacy.
The Detroit Lions are stocked with plenty of star players. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, pass rusher Ziggy Ansah, wide receiver Golden Tate and cornerback Darius Slay likely being the most prominent at this time.
But not one of them is truly considered a “superstar”. Not like Motown sports legends Barry Sanders, Gordie Howe, Ty Cobb, Joe Louis or Bobby Layne back in their day. In fact, Detroit has a shortage of sports superstars right now.
Although Stafford could arguably be the brightest in Detroit, his lack of playoff success and the fact he is entering his 10th season shows he’s hit a popularity ceiling. Winning in the postseason is the only saving grace left for his legacy.
So who is the next superstar for the Lions? A solid candidate could be wide receiver, Marvin Jones. The veteran wideout posted a team-high nine receiving touchdowns in 2017. With veteran Tate in the last year of his contract in Detroit, it would be Jones that assumes that number one role.
According to Shawn Windsor of the Detroit Free Press, there are three other likely candidates for superstardom among the Lions’ current roster. But his bet is that next great Motown legend isn’t currently on the squad.
"“[Kerryon] Johnson. And Jarrad Davis, the linebacker who showed promise early last season before a head injury slowed his progress. And even Kenny Golladay, the rangy down-field threat who has the size and speed to make a name for himself. And yet, these three Lions players are longshots to become future All-Pros. Davis has the best chance. Even so, the next great Lion player is probably not on the roster.”"
Kerryon Johnson being the next superstar player in Detroit is pure speculation at this point. The rookie has yet to take a meaningful snap for the Lions. Plus, his extensive injury history would seem to indicate his biggest challenge will be staying healthy, much less dominating the league.
Golladay showed glimpses of being a superstar wide receiver. He was targeted 48 times in his rookie season, only making 58.3 percent of those catches with 28 receptions. Certainly capable of the big play, Golladay must prove he can be much more reliable before taking that next step up to starter.
Finally, there is Davis. After a solid rookie season leading all first-year defenders in tackles with 96 total, the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft appears to be on the cusp of stardom in a new Matt Patricia-led defense. But no one really knows for sure how this new scheme will impact the young linebacker’s play.
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My bet for the next great superstar in Detroit is Matthew Stafford. Already the biggest name on the team, if Stafford is able to take the Lions to the Super Bowl at some point in his career, he’ll be placed among those Motown sports legends.