The Detroit Lions are having a youth revolution on offense

Although it’s been a bit of an up-and-down season for the Detroit Lions, they have some talented first and second-year players stepping up on offense.

The 2-3 Detroit Lions are preparing to play against the resilient 4-2 Miami Dolphins this weekend after having their bye in Week Six. For the Lions, it’s been a time to review their previous performance, rest some of their injured players, and hopefully, plan for an upcoming playoff run.

Sitting at the bottom of the NFC North, Detroit is still in the mix as the Chicago Bears sit atop of the division at 3-2, following by the 3-2-1 Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings.

Luckily for the Lions, some of their younger players have been showing signs of growth as the season has progressed. Especially on the offensive side of the ball.

2017 third-round selection, wide receiver Kenny Golladay, is having a breakout season. As a rookie, Golladay showed flashes of potential but a hamstring injury limited his production. But the 24-year old has returned with a vengeance in 2018, already matching his numbers from his first season in Detroit’s first five games.

So far, Golladay has looked like a number one wide receiver, posting 27 receptions for 428 yards and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the Lions’ top overall receiver this season and the 10th best player at his position in the entire NFL.

But Golladay isn’t alone in the Motor City’s youth revolution on offense. Rookies like left guard Frank Ragnow and running back Kerryon Johnson are also stepping up to play critical roles along this explosive offense. In fact, Johnson posted the Lions’ first 100-yard rushing game in five years back in Week Three against the New England Patriots.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal had to say about the Lions’ reasons for optimism this season.

"“At 2-3 (with two quality wins) coming out of their bye week, the Lions’ offense is more balanced than ever before, with Kerryon Johnson adding juice to the running game and Kenny Golladay making the leap to a No. 1 receiver.”"

With young players like Kenny Golladay, Kerryon Johnson, and Frank Ragnow leading the way, the youth revolution in Detroit could easily help lift this 2-3 team into playoff relevance within a very winnable division.

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